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to lean against the weeping willow without by the clear water。 But for
the ephemeral fly there was no rest。 In a few moments the day had
completed its circle。
Her thoughts trembled； her limbs trembled； she sank down on the
grass by the bubbling water。
〃Thou wilt ever spring living from the earth；〃 she said
mournfully。 〃Moisten my tongue… bring me a refreshing draught。〃
〃I am no living water；〃 was the answer。 〃I only spring upward when
the machine wills it。〃
〃Give me something of thy freshness； thou green grass；〃 implored
the Dryad； 〃give me one of thy fragrant flowers。〃
〃We must die if we are torn from our stalks；〃 replied the
Flowers and the Grass。
〃Give me a kiss； thou fresh stream of air… only a single
life…kiss。〃
〃Soon the sun will kiss the clouds red；〃 answered the Wind；
〃then thou wilt be among the dead… blown away； as all the splendor
here will be blown away before the year shall have ended。 Then I can
play again with the light loose sand on the place here； and whirl
the dust over the land and through the air。 All is dust！〃
The Dryad felt a terror like a woman who has cut asunder her
pulse…artery in the bath； but is filled again with the love of life；
even while she is bleeding to death。 She raised herself； tottered
forward a few steps； and sank down again at the entrance to a little
church。 The gate stood open； lights were burning upon the altar； and
the organ sounded。
What music！ Such notes the Dryad had never yet heard； and yet it
seemed to her as if she recognized a number of well…known voices among
them。 They came deep from the heart of all creation。 She thought she
heard the stories of the old clergyman； of great deeds； and of the
celebrated names； and of the gifts that the creatures of God must
bestow upon posterity； if they would live on in the world。
The tones of the organ swelled； and in their song there sounded
these words：
〃Thy wishing and thy longing have torn thee； with thy roots；
from the place which God appointed for thee。 That was thy destruction；
thou poor Dryad！〃
The notes became soft and gentle； and seemed to die away in a
wail。
In the sky the clouds showed themselves with a ruddy gleam。 The
Wind sighed：
〃Pass away； ye dead！ now the sun is going to rise！〃
The first ray fell on the Dryad。 Her form was irradiated in
changing colors； like the soap…bubble when it is bursting and
becomes a drop of water； like a tear that falls and passes away like a
vapor。
Poor Dryad！ Only a dew…drop； only a tear； poured upon the earth；
and vanished away！
THE END
。