Part 33 (1/2)

To Barlow it was horrible, the mad infatuation of a man prostrate before false G.o.ds, idols, a rabid materialism. That one, to fall crushed and bleeding from the dizzy height of the ledge of sacrifice upon a red-daubed stone representation of the repulsive emblem, could thus wipe out the deadly sin of murder, was, even spiritually, impossible.

The priest, his soul submerged by the sophistry of his faith, pa.s.sed from the gloomed cloister to the open sunlight.

And Barlow, conscious of his helplessness unless Bootea would now yield to his entreaties and forswear the horrible sacrifice, turned to the girl, his face drawn and haggard, and his voice, when he spoke, vibrating tremulously from the pressure of his despair. He held out his arms, and Bootea threw herself against his breast and sobbed.

”Come back to Chunda with me, Gulab,” Barlow pleaded.

”No, Sahib,” she panted, ”it cannot be.”

”But I love you, Bootea,” he whispered.

”And Bootea loves the Sahib,” and her eyes, as she lifted her face, were wonderful. ”There,” she continued, ”the Sahib could not make the _nika_ (marriage) with Bootea, both our souls would be lost. But it is not forbidden,--even if it were and was a sin, all sins will be forgiven Bootea before the sun sets,--and if the Sahib permits it Bootea will wed herself now to the one she loves. Hold me in your arms--tight, lest I die before it is time.”

And as Barlow pressed the girl to him, fiercely, crus.h.i.+ng her almost, she raised her lips to his, and they both drank the long deep draught of love.

Then the Gulab drew from his arms and her face was radiant, a soft exultation illumined her eyes.

”That is all, Sahib,” she said. ”Bootea pa.s.ses now, goes out to _kailas_ in a happy dream. Go, Sahib, and do not remain below for this is so beautiful. You must ride forth in content.”

She took him by the arm and gently led him to the door.

And from without he could hear a chorus of a thousand voices, its burden being, ”The _Kurban_!”

Barlow turned, one foot in the suns.h.i.+ne and one in the cloister's gloom, and kissed Bootea; and she could feel his hot tears upon her cheek.

Once more he pleaded, ”Renounce this dreadful sacrifice.”

But the girl smiled up into his face, saying, ”I die happily, husband.

Perhaps Indra will permit Bootea to come back in spirit to the Sahib.”