A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
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100<br />
"The amir?" I asked; "what is that?"<br />
"It is the metropolis," said she.<br />
I was utterly overwhelmed, yet still I tried to console her; but the<br />
attempt was va<strong>in</strong>.<br />
"Oh!" she cried, "you will not understand. The sacrifice is but a<br />
part--it is but the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>De</strong>ath is terrible; yet it may be<br />
endured--if there is only death. But oh!--oh th<strong>in</strong>k!--th<strong>in</strong>k of that<br />
which comes after--the Mista Kosek!"<br />
Now the full mean<strong>in</strong>g flashed upon me, and I saw it all. In an <strong>in</strong>stant<br />
there arose <strong>in</strong> my m<strong>in</strong>d the awful sacrifice on the pyramid and the<br />
unutterable horror of the Mista Kosek. Oh, horror, horror,<br />
horror! Oh, hideous abom<strong>in</strong>ation and deed without a name! I could not<br />
speak. I caught her <strong>in</strong> my arms, and we both wept passionately.<br />
The happ<strong>in</strong>ess of our love was now darkened by this tremendous cloud<br />
that lowered before us. The shock of this discovery was overpower<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
and some time elapsed before I could rally from it. Though Almah's<br />
love was sweet beyond expression, and though as the time passed I<br />
saw that every jom she rega<strong>in</strong>ed more and more of her former<br />
health and strength, still I could not forget what had been revealed.<br />
We were happy with one another, yet our happ<strong>in</strong>ess was clouded, and<br />
amid the brightness of our love there was ever present the dread<br />
spectre of our appall<strong>in</strong>g doom.<br />
These feel<strong>in</strong>gs, however, grew fa<strong>in</strong>ter. Hope is ever ready to arise;<br />
and I began to th<strong>in</strong>k that these people, though given to evil ways,<br />
were after all k<strong>in</strong>d-hearted, and might listen to entreaty. Above all,<br />
there was the Kohen, so benevolent, so self-deny<strong>in</strong>g, so amiable, so<br />
sympathetic. I could not forget all that he had said dur<strong>in</strong>g Almah's<br />
illness, and it seemed more than probable that an appeal to his better<br />
nature might not be without effect. I said as much to Almah.<br />
"The Kohen," said she; "why, he can do noth<strong>in</strong>g."<br />
"Why not? He is the chief man here, and ought to have great<br />
<strong>in</strong>fluence."