| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Wyoming by William MacLeod Raine: upon it.
"Why didn't y'u build your fire on the side of the tree?" he
growled at Hughie.
Now, Hughie was a tenderfoot, and in his knowledge of outdoor
life he was still an infant. "I didn't know--" he was beginning,
when his master cut him short with a furious tongue lashing out
of all proportion to the offense.
The lad's face blanched with fear, and his terror was so manifest
that the bully, who was threatening him with all manner of evils,
began to enjoy himself. Chalkeye, returning from watering the
horses, got back in time to hear the intemperate fag-end of the
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Vision Splendid by William MacLeod Raine: his right hand. He must protect her, against himself--and against
her innocent affection for him.
She fluttered past him, barring the way. Her cheeks were flaming
with shame.
"You despise me. Why did I let you?" A sob swelled up into her
soft round throat.
"You blessed lamb," he groaned.
"You're going to leave me. You--you don't want me for a friend any
longer."
Her lips trembled--the red little lips that always reminded him of
a baby's with its Cupid's bow. She was on the verge of breaking
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: porch. At this period of life, being then seventy-two years of age, he
made himself ninety-six, and began the profession of centenarian.
In all Paris it was impossible to find another such beard and head of
hair as Toupillier's. As he walked he appeared bent double; he held a
stick in his shaking hand,--a hand that was covered with lichen, like
a granite rock, and with the other he held out the classic hat with a
broad brim, filthy and battered, into which, however, there fell
abundant alms. His legs were swathed in rags and bandages, and his
feet shuffled along in miserable overshoes of woven mat-weed, inside
of which he had fastened excellent cork soles. He washed his face with
certain compounds, which gave it an appearance of forms of illness,
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Bucky O'Connor by William MacLeod Raine: little pardner. Were you crying on account of me?"
"On account of myself, because I was afraid I had lost you. Oh,
Bucky, isn't it too good to be true?"
The ranger smiled, remembering that he had about fourteen hours
to live, if the Megales faction triumphed. "Good! I should think
it is. Bully! I've been famished to see Curly Haid again."
"And to know that everything is going to come out all right and
that we love each other."
"That's right good hearing and most ce'tainly true on my side of
it. But how do you happen to know it so sure?" he laughed gayly.
"Why, your letter, Bucky. It was the dearest letter. I love it."
|
