Angels and Women (1924)

218 ANGELS AND WOMENing pearls and deep in the heart of eachdelicate flower an opal flowed like smotheredfire. Ah, Hesperus !Tears dropped from my eyes upon theprecious garland. I hear the footsteps of myhusband. Why do I fear that he will findme weeping! He looks upon my grief withsad surprise, discovers the casket, divines thecause of my tears, reverently takes the glisteningcrown from its repose, places it uponmy forehead, saying, "Aloma, my queen!"Dear Japheth, how gently didst thou remindme that henceforth my realm must beonly ! where thou art kingAfter a few moments of thoughtful silencemy husband spoke again--"Beloved, yourlife before the happy hour when first we metis to me unknown." I comprehended hisreasonable desire and without reserve corntided to him my strange history, at whichhe marveled greatly and forgave my tears,embraced me tenderly and in return for suchconfidence related many wonderful events of