There is a world in one of the far-off stars, and things do not happen hereas they happen there.In that world were a man and woman; they had one work, and they walkedtogether side by side on many days, and were friends--and that is a thingthat happens now and then in this world also.But there was something in that star-world that there is not here. Therewas a thick wood: where the trees grew closest, and the stems wereinterlocked, and the summer sun never shone, there stood a shrine. In theday all was quiet, but at night, when the stars shone or the moon glintedon the tree-tops, and all was quiet below, if one crept here quite aloneand knelt on the steps of the stone altar, and uncovering one's breast, sowounded it that the blood fell down on the altar steps, then whatever hewho knelt there wished for was granted him. And all this happens, as Isaid, because it is a far-off world, and things often happen there as theydo not happen here.Now, the man and woman walked together; and the woman wished well to theman. One night when the moon was shining so that the leaves of all thetrees glinted, and the waves of the sea were silvery, the woman walkedalone to the forest. It was dark there; the moonlight fell only in littleflecks on the dead leaves under her feet, and the branches were knottedtight overhead. Farther in it got darker, not even a fleck of moonlightshone. Then she came to the shrine; she knelt down before it and prayed;there came no answer. Then she uncovered her breast; with a sharp two-edged stone that lay there she wounded it. The drops dripped slowly downon to the stone, and a voice cried, "What do you seek?"She answered, "There is a man; I hold him nearer than anything. I wouldgive him the best of all blessings."The voice said, "What is it?"The girl said, "I know not, but that which is most good for him I wish himto have."The voice said, "Your prayer is answered; he shall have it."Then she stood up. She covered her breast and held the garment tight uponit with her hand, and ran out of the forest, and the dead leaves flutteredunder her feet. Out in the moonlight the soft air was blowing, and thesand glittered on the beach. She ran along the smooth shore, then suddenlyshe stood still. Out across the water there was something moving. Sheshaded her eyes and looked. It was a boat; it was sliding swiftly over themoonlit water out to sea. One stood upright in it; the face the moonlightdid not show, but the figure she knew. It was passing swiftly; it seemedas if no one propelled it; the moonlight's shimmer did not let her seeclearly, and the boat was far from shore, but it seemed almost as if therewas another figure sitting in the stern. Faster and faster it glided overthe water away, away. She ran along the shore; she came no nearer it. Thegarment she had held closed fluttered open; she stretched out her arms, andthe moonlight shone on her long loose hair.Then a voice beside her whispered, "What is it?"She cried, "With my blood I bought the best of all gifts for him. I havecome to bring it him! He is going from me!"The voice whispered softly, "Your prayer was answered. It has been givenhim."She cried, "What is it?"The voice answered, "It is that he might leave you."The girl stood still.Far out at sea the boat was lost to sight beyond the moonlight sheen.The voice spoke softly, "Art thou contented?"She said, "I am contented."At her feet the waves broke in long ripples softly on the shore.
