Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1912)

m 8 David and Saul (Path€ FrSres) By MONTANYE PERRY m " A ND tnou l°vest me> mv Michal? ^\ Thou, the daughter of the great king, lovest the shepherd of the hillsides?" They stood in the shelter of one of the terebinth trees which cooled the valley of Elah with their leafy shadows: a ruddy, stalwart youth of pleasing countenance, and a slender, dark-haired damsel, whose melting eyes, upraised to her lover's, mingled in their purple depths the unstained love of a maiden with the undimmed pride of a princess. ''Aye," she breathed softly, "a shepherd — but what a shepherd! The glory of the Israelites and the terror of the Philistines. Thou art the idol of our people now, my David ! Art thou not proud?" "Proud am I of one thing only — that thou lovest me! Since the day when I slew the giant Goliath and brought his head to thy father, and thou looked at me with thy dark, radiant eyes, I have prayed for but one thing — that I might live always in the light of their radiance. ' ' The first flush of the morning lay over the valley, touching streamlet and verdure with quivering points of rosy flame. Up from a clump of bushes rose a flashing, scarlet-winged bird, its notes floating clearly downward as it whirled in ever-widening circles toward the gates of the dawn ; the faint, broken tinkle of bells betokened the wakening stir of flocks on the distant hillsides; and now, from adown the valley, the clear, shrill call of a trumpet rang high and sweet. At this call, Michal shuddered and crept close to David. "Ah, my beloved," she whispered fearfully, "thou must go forth to battle, and I fear for thee! Why doth my father make thy conditions so hard ? Thou must slay a hundred Philistines before I can be thine. Ah, 6.3 if thou shouldst fall in the dreadful war — if thou shouldst never return to me, then shall I go weeping all my days, remembering thee ! ' ' "Fear not, Michal," manfully replied the lover. "Hath not the God of our fathers ever led me safely thru all perils? Thy father, the great king, doeth all things rightfully. It is meet that I, who have no gold to offer, win my bride with brave deeds. Just and generous is his decree, and I rejoice to prove myself worthy of my princess. Now, adieu, my adored one. Forth I go, to win the daughter of a king, and nothing shall dismay me!" "Adieu; God keep thee!" sobbed Michal. "My heart shall sigh for thee until thou comest." Thru the green valley of Elah and far across the fertile plains marched the Israelites, headed by the valiant David, to battle with the vengeful Philistines. And from a narrow window, high up in the palace of the king, Michal watched with tireless, love-lit eyes for the first glimpse of their returning banners. Slowly moved the days to the watching maiden, as the sun crept softly up from the east, dragged its golden train across the green valley and sank at last into a fleecy bank of welcoming clouds. Long lagged the nights, when the white stars crept silently out to share the vigil until they wearied and sank palely back to their rest. But the waiting ended at last, and up from the valley, with flying banners and songs of rejoicing, David marched at the head of his army, to claim his promised reward. In the throne room of the casfie, Saul, surrounded by his counsellors, sat in state to receive the victorious David. Heralds, pages and singing maidens, in gala attire, formed a long, rose-strewn path, down which