Born Again | Page 8

wonderful painting on the interior of the building.
CHAPTER VI
Putting my hand against the surface and walking along I discovered
that this great scene which appeared to stretch away into the distance
for several miles, including the trees, brook, lake, sun, clouds, sky, and
everything else, was painted on the wall, ceiling and floor, of a circular
room. The ceiling was arranged in the shape of a dome, while the floor
made a concave connection with the wall. The whole apartment could
not have been over fifty feet in diameter. The entire room was covered
by one painting, and so well had the work been done that the only way
I could discern the difference between the real and artistic scene was by
extending my hands in front of me and feeling my way along.
But what about the music? Surely I heard it, and without doubt the
skilled musicians had performed their work right before my eyes. And
the sun, the light, and the fragrance from the flowers, what about these?
While in a state of perplexity at not being able to understand these

mysterious things, my eyes fell upon something which I had not
noticed previously, at the same time causing me to give a sudden start
as if pierced by an electric shock.
To the left of the door through which I had entered and lying in a
reclining position upon a bed of flowers, similar in shape to a modern
sofa, was the most beautiful object, I think, ever created--a woman.
And such a woman. Oh, ignorant humanity, why do you not breed all
women like that one? Although nearly twenty-three years have passed
since then, still the vision of her is as fresh upon my mind now as at
that moment when my eyes first beheld her. And as I think of her now I
am unable to repress the tears from filling my eyes, strong man that I
am.
Dressed in a tight-fitting costume like those worn by the men, with the
addition of a net-like drapery of light material entwined about her, and
lying in a comfortable position partly on one side, with her lovely head
resting upon one arm, her shapely body and limbs posed gracefully and
her eyes closed in slumber, she impressed me as being the queen of the
universe.
This is the most beautiful part of the whole picture, thought I, taking a
few steps forward. What artist's imagination could ever have created
such a sublime and realistic work? As I stood in reverent contemplation
of her my admiration was unbounded. It seemed as if my feelings
would burst within me. My first love for woman was then and there
confirmed for all time. I decided I would stay and spend the rest of my
days right there, silently attesting my everlasting devotion to that divine
likeness of ideality. Had I not discovered that the whole thing was a
work of art, I should have felt positive that she was really alive and
merely lay there in peaceful repose. Then a sudden thought passed
through my mind which gradually expanded into an irresistible desire; I
would press my lips to hers and thereby seal my love forevermore.
Trembling like a timid school-boy I advanced closer. How lovely she
appeared. How real. Bending forward and putting my head in
juxtaposition to hers it seemed as if I actually heard her heart beat. It
may have been my own. With my face flushed and feeling that perhaps

I might be taking an unfair advantage of one who would not appreciate
my caress, I tenderly touched her lips with mine. For another moment
of such indescribable ecstasy I would gladly pass through all the
imaginary tortures of the infernal regions. But it ended there.
No sooner had our lips come together than I became aware of the fact
that the adorable object before me was real and not artificial as
supposed. As if by magic her mouth twitched slightly and her whole
frame quivered perceptibly; then she opened her eyes and finally with a
most graceful spring she landed squarely upon her feet directly in front
of me. I jumped backward in utter amazement. And there we stood face
to face staring into each other's eyes. I then noticed that she was about
seven feet in height and although not lean still there was not an ounce
of superfluous flesh on her serpent-like figure. Like the men, she too
was bare footed, and her hair, a dark silky texture, was short and very
artistically arranged. Her snow white face, transparent with pink, was
the acme of loveliness, with an expression of gentleness, purity and
modesty plainly stamped upon every feature. Her dazzling eyes
sparkled with the brilliancy of huge diamonds. Evidently she was