So the Fire, wherewith he had consumed the homes of men, rejoiced;
and the flames which he had compelled to do his will in wickedness
leaped up as he drew near.

"Welcome, old master!" roared the Fire. "Be my slave!"

Then he perceived that there was no hope for him in the justice of
the elements. And he said, "I will seek mercy of Him against whom
I have most offended."

So he fled to the foot of the Great White Throne. And as he kneeled
there, broken and abased, the world was silent, waiting for the
sentence of the Judge of All.

August, 1918.






ASHES OF VENGEANCE





Dun was a hard little city, proud and harsh; but impregnable
because it was built upon a high rock. The host of the Visigoths
had besieged it for months in vain. Then came a fugitive from the