Page:Frank Owen - The Wind That Tramps the World (1929).djvu/101

 One by one the star-lanterns flickered out. His body commenced to tremble. It was the most exalted moment of his life. It was like in truth a journey to the sun. It was a beauty too intense for his poor mind to absorb.

The roar of the waves upon the coral beach intensified. Now the whole city was golden, tipped with rose and orange. The roar was frightful. He felt as though his head were bursting. His eyes pained as though they were on fire. He could not breathe. Moaning he fell to his knees, nor could he rise again. Yet ever he kept his eyes turned toward the sun. The sun in morning splendor beat upon him, dazzlingly beautiful but ruthless in its intensity. It burned out his eyes. It scorched his body to ashes. It crushed him beneath its glory. When he had borne pain to the uttermost, agony beyond words, the spark of his life flickered out. All through the rose dawn he lay lifeless at the feet of the lovely girl. Softly she crooned threnodies of love to him. Until at last sunset came, the golden glow gave way to the purpling shadows of evening, then to the pungent blue of night. Gradually the lamps were lighted in the windows. A cool fragrant breeze cooled the air. Abruptly the girl stopped singing. She stooped and kissed the cracked, broken lips of Hwei-Ti. He opened his eyes. As he gazed into hers, new strength came to him.

"Come," she whispered softly.

He rose to his feet. Together they sat once more