Arletta also appeared overcome with sadness, and was
unable to speak. She withdrew her hand from mine and without a word
turned and walked slowly away, sobbing bitterly as she left. I stood and
watched her retreating form in a dazed sort of a way. With each step
which put us farther apart, increasing darkness obscured my vision. I
wanted to call her back but a lump came in my throat and I could not
speak. My brain was in a whirl. A terrible feeling of gloom over-
shadowed me. I labored under great excitement. My head seemed as if it
were ready to burst. I felt that I was going mad. The trees and
everything else appeared to be moving about in great confusion. Those
same symptoms which I experienced after falling among the rocks of
Sageland returned. My body seemed to be dividing into several parts and
then becoming one again. I tried to control myself but without avail.
All of a sudden I saw standing before me two Arlettas, one at the right
hand and the other at the left. The one at the right I instantly
recognized as the great Sagewoman, while on the left stood the girl
Arletta. They were facing and pointing in opposite directions. Looking
to my right I saw a path running up a steep hill which seemed almost
impossible to climb and upon which was inscribed the word strength. To
my left I observed a path running down the hill upon which was written
the word weakness. At the top of the hill everything looked bright and
cheerful and orderly, while at the bottom darkness and confusion
prevailed.
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