Angels and Women (1924)

218 ANGELS AND WOMEN
ing pearls and deep in the heart of each
delicate flower an opal flowed like smothered
fire. Ah, Hesperus !
Tears dropped from my eyes upon the
precious garland. I hear the footsteps of my
husband. Why do I fear that he will find
me weeping! He looks upon my grief with
sad surprise, discovers the casket, divines the
cause of my tears, reverently takes the glistening
crown from its repose, places it upon
my forehead, saying, "Aloma, my queen!"
Dear Japheth, how gently didst thou remind
me that henceforth my realm must be
only ! where thou art king
After a few moments of thoughtful silence
my husband spoke again--"Beloved, your
life before the happy hour when first we met
is to me unknown." I comprehended his
reasonable desire and without reserve corn
tided to him my strange history, at which
he marveled greatly and forgave my tears,
embraced me tenderly and in return for such
confidence related many wonderful events of