Io leaned in her saddle as they drew near the cabin, to lay a hand on
her lover's shoulder.
"Once, a thousand years ago, Ban," she said, "when love came to me, I
was a wicked little infidel and would not believe. Not in the Enchanted
Canyon, nor in the Mountains of Fulfillment, nor in the Fadeless Gardens
where the Undying Voices sing. Do you remember?"
"Do I not!" whispered Ban, turning to kiss the fingers that tightened on
his shoulder.
"And--and I blasphemed and said there was always a serpent in every
Paradise, and that Experience was a horrid hag, with a bony finger
pointing to the snake.... This is my recantation, Ban. I know now that
you were the true Prophet; that Experience has shining wings and eyes
that can lock to the future as well as the past, and immortal Hope for a
lover. And that only they two can guide to the Mountains of Fulfillment.
Is it enough, Ban?"
"It is enough," he answered with grave happiness.
"Listen!" exclaimed Io.
The sound of song, tender and passionate and triumphant, came pulsing
through the silence to meet them as they rode on.
THE END
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Success, by Samuel Hopkins Adams
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUCCESS ***
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