Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 1 July 1898 — Page 7

THE PEOilE OF THE

MIST.

2y E. SIDEE HAG (M JUS."

rO^Dyrtclit. 1898, by tho Author.

CHAPTER XVI.

Tho third day came, the day of 1 ho sacrifice after tho new order. Nothing particular had. happened in tho interval. Leonard and Francisco had taken sunw walks through the city, guarded .by Poter and the settlement -raeiu that was all. They did not see riors of the with htvvc:-,

ill there, except tho oxv ."5 built of stotso attel roofed I ti»»! ooid si aloof ClU'ioa-

ity with wh.i tlwy worn follow'''1, by hundreds of .Vo tllvJU a hCIMC v.f TUffiCft that clfC'M, ,,y e'hocked their i-ST'MU t6 closer exnmmatii n. Once indeed they halted in the market place., which was thronped. Instantly all business ceased, teller, buyer, herdsmen and pw«sidinp priests flocked around them, staring at. them. half in fear and half in curiosity, for they had never seen white men before. This they could not bear, so they returned to the palace.

Of course OKcr and Juannn. being divine, were not allowed to indulge in such recreations. They were gods and must live lip to tlielr reputation. For one day Otter endured it. l_*n the second, in spile cf Leonard's warnings, he sought ret'uere in the society of the bride Saga. This was the besrinninp of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet do ch am lire much leas cm ho remain apod for long in tho eyc-s of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.

Leonard saw theso dangers and spoke anprily to tho dwarf on the subject. Still he could not conceal from himself that, putting aside the question of his .ennui, that made his conduct natural, at any rate, in a savage, Otter's positiou was a diflicttlt one. So Leonard shnipped his shoulders and consoled himself its be«t«h3 could with the reflection that at least IsU wife would teach the. dwarf something of the lanpuaae, which, by the way, he himself was practicing assiduously tinder the tuition of Juanria:nnd.Soa.

At iioon the pasfcy adj(.nir.n«l to tho temple. escorted by a bevy of -priests and soldiers, for in obedienee to uanna's commands the feast was celebrated in tho daytime, and not. at night. As Ix'tore, tho vast, amphit hunter was crowded with thoosa-Kds of human beinps, but- there wtus a elifferetice in the arrangements.

Juanna and Otter had declined to oceu'py their lofty thrones and sat in el«iirs ao tho feet-of the huge and hideous stone idol, almost -ou- the .wipe of tho pool, Nm» standing- before them, whilo Leonard, 1'ianes-eo a\t! ti settlement n.iii i.mgid themselves ou ".iber The, day we cold and miser.ok\ and s:iowt\il from time to time in Xante.flakes from an ashen sky.-

Presently Nam addressed tho multitude. '.'People ot-lite Mist,"he cried, "you aro gathered hero- to celebrate the feast »f Jal. according to ancient custom, but the gods have come back to you, as you know, and tho pods in their wisdo.su have changed ..-f.tho custom. Fifty women were prepared for the sacrifice. This mo'ning they ro-.i 'rejoicing, deeming that they were destined to thr: gv:d, but now their joy is turned to

Foriov tie prA ill ot fiecc pt them, »ip ui ut- or toon solve?,. Le* I *-o tu irhr fcrv ""d." pea-red -irons tehiad ti'Ui two leal a jvdr'of.'hofcwlfe .* r:-, 1 hey

At In--

"1-

fho id't, i. !•», bull- v.. Wh, them go is- '..".tt.i blundt« 1 rockyV--11'-'--ilt. pa*.''.iit tth ion f^ that i~, exe p' one inp it? par.-:. Tts.-hi theater and Miinbk'it i.i en anions thaiaudiweej utte*inof terri'Jyr.ij^ "bna-." Il.diwl t)-»e seer-." was so cuti ic t.'t iv^nrhat Roiulier and silent peoplOr-ibeptsni to-lauah.-'£wenatofnteit as they w.-re «-u il: -e ocee.^i-ios ti tiie hideous and impres®.iy.c- ceremonial of the jnidnipht.sacrifice of scores of huniK-i lx:inps. The ancient feast was a fiasco. This was a ftK v, hieh cuuld not be CHin--cealed. "Le poiv. ye People of the Mi'-t," snid Nam presently, pointing to tho dead, animals. "'I'lio sneriftee is saertliced: the,:festival of Jal is done. May tlio mother ph'ud

v.?

i1 aiuiruds

•1 -.vvs tbo v. finally disa clubs uiel a\e^— it which, eieap-' .1 udwi' tlio ami-hi

Seat to sottt -sy Rttrecsi'ion

With ili«v t-nuke that fruitl'ulxicsS may Llcn.i the land." Now, t'" 'iy :t mbiv.t"1: h'id eineo the b* of the oeivi 'ony, which, in t' uweu""' coiiTtseo^ cv. -usj lasted tia* :„h t1 i. ire.' part of ho nipht, fe1' it w.t ti to «.it,„' :cr kli \ielh

l\ -it«

Sol^ra'!i*. ur (t '.'•!*

ETOSQ i. 1 »*1 UlO .ij J.i* that &v. i'ea ,• .u'.'Mtitn.!'. The people 1 be .ti' i\:ilro j'.-, me.-'f ol' p.v.v. at br,,:,.:i/.ed a- they, were iiv t'-.e cc :.tin ,1 si"-:.' oi blood-hod thcyiUi.

ip to on it. fh

their e{U'ft)v:o.- of i.tii.i:-:s s", .ih A Kc=ii :!ii audio: i-atlicj.. ui i,

JIOBS

it priad'a-

tonai show fmd tl 'it\t trea'ed instead to

deafcey raeo aud- a cock fight

could scareelyhave shown more fury. "Bring .out itho women! Let- tho victims he offered up to Jal as of old!" tluy yelled in ikca- rage, and tow n.intttes or ni"rocla f' 1 lie could bo quiet" 1.

Then N «i:. -ed t!',em etmniiydy, "Peot I- of the hi- aid, have

us a

•, hv." he sacrtii o'

oxen ,ii, poti: iiie] of ttHii ur.d maid,-, and you youvsolvis iiavo welcomed that hvw. 2fo -loneer shall tho blood of victims flow to Jal beneath the white rays of tho moon while the chant of his servants goes up to heaven. Nay, henceforth this holy phiee must 1M a.shambles for tho kine. So I -.: it, rny children. I:i my old ago I hear tho &ods speaking with an altered voice, and I obey them. It is nothing to ine|:who'ani-alMjt t) to die, yet I toll you that rathe-r would I myself bo srretched upon the a. e:_, than tho worship cf our la :i'a thus tnrcetl into a mockery. 'J'h •i'"'M is sacrilleed. Now .: may tho mother ni«Tcotlo with tho snako that- plenty --may-•••bless tho land." Aud ho smiled satirically -and'-titmed away.

Those of tiie auditajee who woin u««ur cnouuh to hejir his wortls eiied them oui t-j tho ranks tehind tliern, fti'd when ail rtu- ... derstood tlicro followed a scenoof most indeserilxiblo ttm ill t.

bring eieuta. ana tamme upon ,vcu an. Men sited be offered up .to -us no more). 1 have spoken."

For awhile there was silence then tho tu.muit hi-oko out with redoubled violence, uid a portion of the multitude made a rush round the edge of the- pool toward-tho rock platform, which was repelled by the soldiers in a very half hearted way. ""uw," said Olfan, "I think that these will do well to bogt»ing." And he pointed to Leonard, Francisco and the settlement meat. "Doubtless the gods can defend themselves, but if the others- do not go this is sure—that presently they will be Soi'B to pieces/' "Lot us all po." said uaima, whose item's tH',ni!t to fail her, and suiting the notion to thu word she led tho way toward tho reck tunnel, followed by the others.

They were not allowed to reach -.-it unmolested, www, for a. lUlUt^er of the crowd, headed, t"» Luiiiatd ni i1'ed, by two iiriesvs, foSTj'd ttitir way iL\ .fj^h theeof'itou ol aards

id bnan.e

Uiood, pivo us blood!" roared tho populace, their tierce, fftccs aliyht with rage. "Shall wo ho mocked with the sacrifico of goats? Offer up the servants of tho false puds. Givo us bloedl Lead iurfh tad tvctlin. i"

In the midst of this uproar Juancn, clad in her wh'.'e robes e.nd \vith tho red st™.: hound tip on her brow, from hor K." to -peat. ,-j lctico y' -i-Mi Xn so, 'Hens t3» vak'o of Aea." Ami bj decrees tho tumult dit-d awav, and sho spoke. "i)o you tiius dat-o oilm outeagd to tho aodsi-'.' she cried, j.'.lio warned lost wa

IIH.M

wi'h tho

rear oi their little party, tho mcmbeis of which t.'tey tiireatenid and struck ac savagely. This was just as they were entering tile mouth of the tunnel, behind the si-attie where the ploom was preat. Tho tuimci itself was protected by a doiu-, which, #o soon-asthey thouylit that all had ixvawxl, Olftui and Ix'ontird inade hasu: to olosit, leavinp tho mo!) howling without.. Then Ui«jr jiiosscd on to the palace, howevou, to watch the movements of the mob. "Oil, why would yoti not suffer them to RftCrillCO UCCVttj iii iu uint icivru vumwhIJ bhcpiiordossf" saul Oiter. "What does it matter if they kill each other:- So shall tlioro be fewer of tiiem. N(*\v the end of It will bo that the devils will find us out and kill us." "No, no," said Francisco, ''the senora was ripiit. Let us trust in Providence and keep ourselves clean from such iniquity.'"

As he spoke the roars of wrath in the distance chanpedto a shout of triumph, fiuUcwj«iKl-hy silence. "Wixit is that?" cried .Tuanna faintly. At ttxit moment Olfan pushed the curtains aside and entered, and his face was feoowy. •\4peak, Olfan," she soid. **Tho people sacrifice as of old, queen," bo aiwwored. "All of us did not pass tlio pat". Two of your black servants were mixo4 up with tho crowd and left, uul now they offer thorn—th«n and others."

Tjeotvtnl mn to tho yard and counted the setUiMjiont tin'-n, who were huddled togetheriu their fear and starinp toward Uto temple tfcrouph the liars of the gate. Two wA 'Uiitwitiit!.

A«

IK)

returned he met Olfan eominp

tmi. ''When? is he going?" ho asked of Juanitr.

•*Tt. the patrs.' 'He says ho cannot b« srcro of the soldiers. .Is it tru-j about, tbo seitletnent meny" "AXa.-, yes! Two ore gone." .She hid Ink1 ftico in her hands and shads de-Dcd. "Poor creature."!" she said presently In a hoarse voice. ''Why did we ever hriuj thoiu bere? Oil, Le.onai'il, is there no esttapo Cetuji Uijs land-of devils?" •'I liopo so," he answered, then added:"Como, Jnanna, do nor- give way. Thinps look so id that they tt'o sure to mend." "Tl:ere is need of it," she answered.

All that evening and night they watched, hourly expectinp to bo attacked and dragged forth to sacrifice, but -no attack was made. Indeed on tho morrow they learned from Olfan thut the pv.rpio had de-pei il

ri(

^.te^ihti-'j:

seoro of hum „ii lo.igs. and it qu\'. roipsied in the city. Vrtd r.ow in si-' ort dr .-dful jf their trials, ati 1 ..J^. UI..L..-I. ft.:- utiured live wholo wee!- 1o j-.od, tit'o etiniatc th., \. -1 by pntr.v olati in. .'.i.' a:-» u.v dwdiinp place "of tin i' ople vf the-Hist, is cold daririp fho wmt«-r, to the Vttigo of severity. -But afca- certain,T-eriod of t-ha.yeax, almost invariably.within a day. or two of- tho celebration of tho feast of Jal, tho inii-.c and frost vanish, -and .-waxisi weather seta in with bright .-sunshine. Now, this is tho season of the sowinp of crops, aud upon the climatic conditions of tho few following weeks depends the yield. of the harvest. Should the spring t^c delayed even a week or two, a .short crop woalfl aertsiinly result, but if its arrival is postponod for a month -it means something like a tajninedurinp-tlvc Mhtwinp winter, for. »lti:oupii this pooplu dwell on high lands, tla-y. cnitivivto--' thu same sorts of grain which are common in these lat-ifcutle.s —nmnely. malae. ami sundry. :varieiies of

Kaflir corn, having, no knowk'dpeof wheatand oilier l:or('y cereals. There-tore it is till imjMtT-ant to them that fhe -.•. tn should havo a lair start,-for if tho autsumn tresta catih it before if i- i't t-o !-:r-\•..•.« tho preat proporiiwi of Ui-- in lt.rn^, bluei and is r-e'.i-l.'jfd u'j-le.-ts.

S mv, these aifS'te si.nfdl bo:t?-!)} irtUlC'ia. Till- oi order to sr«. injr tisr.e fvr t\o ««l that fiJind the wa.tche ii or the -TOsulla. xv 11h sttjx-i-stStiove if the on pr-ved the t. 3IK i.'.-.i.o -.t ..icr p.io.l, «-il xiiiuht po ]y bo

Ifni'fil 'tails had Bo v- of a" .'.en1 \,a. ct 1 1 in ed bed an i: ... .'n:ms.to ecivii.o'u of

Pe,'lo. fio MJci. iiiiy t'ind-i

wi.ll, but if it chanced to bo bad! And, as wa« to-bo espectedy seeing how much depciahxl upon it, lb turnod oat the veil' worst that tin/ living man e-ouJd iomcjnbor in that, cotuifvy. Day afitt' day the faeo Qi! the.

M«I

wa# hidden wifh'mKa

which only yp itied to tho bithj* windi thnt Wow '.a tiu. nuuuiturns a* nighv. I was av ha that when the t• t-c -l:tuld have, beeri a motitil old t,A ti ..rurc was still that 1 of iniuv, i:if( Ri-.d the corn woul-l not start at all. Ixwfii'd Jutoma soon discovered what this.nieatit for them, and never. was tho aspect of .wcerhef more ansaously scanned tlian by thtsc two from day to day. In vain. L-v-ry mori'.inp the hlnukv.c of oolu mist fell like a oloud, blotting out tlia baci^?roun.l of tho niounusins, and every night the biting wind swept down upon them from the Holds of snow, chilling thorn t/i tho morrow.

A :-.d so they lived tide by sido, lovers at hesnt, and talked ano. actol .• as "brother and siatia- might, atul fhiuuph it till were m.j happy in a way because 'tliey wcro to£K.'thor.

JJnt Bt 11 was not nappy, one «u«c her misness no iourtor trusted tier and was at no fv tie S3 tfaa ors^-.o. Day by e:-.vr aba %ic iaaiilnd thorn lir.c a mummy ut a foosl, atid we.tched Loouoid with evor growing Joaiottsy and hate.

Francisco for lii-s pint did not attempt to consul Ms f«. like t. i.lI.i.. 1. He \, .1! oer .'.m that tu vivo abi-ot to perish:.i.d soi. :it conflation in rti a n, tVitith wao eeii.yinp, but mYrce.iy ii.tj.roved liiui aa a ccmjronon. Ait for Otter, he also believed Sir tht». 1 .rof vdhvi. ri -a. i'tttlxie-ft a ..c:.:.o-tiKSdHi not cioab.'y i.im inoe'j. O.i -je -•-*:.-aTy, in -pix ot Li't T.ojrd's rti1110:^ ho liegtai 10 live 1..-.4 betfik-ing-fatio6-:i frociy to tho beer pot. Wh^ti, v. .v angry vrfVh liliu, ho turned tAxin'jiim-iij oulky. "Today Is .ai a gw% baaa," lio answored "toaiQ(mw I cosy ha oaxrioat While I am ms AUJBCUT

days also women haw ertwect tho Cieeause, am up V, hut now my wifo Isolds me preat ami boe.ut-ifin. Wiles i*s tho pood of thinking aud looking sad? The end will come soon enough. Already Nam sharpens tiie knife for our hearts. Come and be merry with me, baas, if tho Shepherdess will lot you." "Do you tako mo for a pig like yourself?" said Leonard angrily. "Well, go your own way, l\»crf ihat yeni ru'O, but boware of the hecr-and the spirits. Now you are beginning to know th'is l.-nipuape, and when yon are drunk yon talk, aud do you think that tiverc rye no spies boro? That, pirl Saga is pivatKieco Su Nam, itiid yon arc besotted with her. liewa.ro le.st you brinp us till to duatii." ''.Thither we shall como.--anyway, so let us lauph hefoiK W( cxy, bti K-," Utter replieu siilletily.:: "'ii'tistr then sit hero uud du iii. limp till I die!""

Leonard Mmuigwl his shouldrrs and went. He en not bio rue the dwarf, who, after ail, was it savayo and looked at things as a savage.would, lie sometimes wished, so deep was his doprenriou, that ho also was a savage and cuuld do likewise.'

But the worst of their trials Is still to be told. For the lirst week tho settlement me.ii staid in the jxilaeo, their tears and the rumors tha« had reached them of tho terrible fate of tshe'rr two lost companions keeping t'leivi quiet. By degrees, however, t.boir dread woru oil. and one afternoon, wearied wi'tli the sameness of their life, tliey yielded to the solicitniions of some moil who spoko to them tlnouph the bars of the ercat tjate and went out in a body without- obtaining Leonard's permission. That tvipht they rcttiiuie-d dnink—at least ten of them did the othei two were missing. When they wore sober apain, Leonard questioned them as to the whereabouts of their companions, but tliey could givo him no satisfactory information. They had been into various houses in the city, they said, wherothe peoiiie had plied them with beer, and they remembered nothing more.

These two men never appeared, but tho Test of them, now thoroughly friehtened, obeyed Leonard's orders ami staid in tho palace, aithoupli the decoy men still camo frequently to the gates and called them. Tliey passed the days in wandering about and riiinkiug to drown tiiwr fears, and the nights huddled togetlrer for protection from an unseen foe more wrribloandmoro crafty than tiio leopard #f- their native rocks. -But those prec.autwns were all in vain. One morning, hearing a tumult among tiiem. Tx'onard \ront to see what was the matter. Three imwo ot the settlement men were missing. Tln'y had vanished in tho nipht, none could say how, vanished though tho docn-s wcro barred and cuarded. Tltere whew they had slept lay their guns wk1 little jKissessions. but the men were .gone, leaving no trace.

When lie was consulted, Olfan looked very -grave, but cov '.-.! throw ix light niton tho sfttnysteryviheyond suppessing that- there were many crt-t passages in the palace of I which the openings were known only to tiie priests, and that possibly tho men had been let down them, terrible information enough for people in their position.

CI!Ai'TKil XYII.

On that day of the van-ishitip of the three setticment men Nam paid his weekly visit to do honor to tho pods, and Leonard, who by this time could make himself understood in the tongue of tho People of tiie. Mist, attacked him -furiously as to. thowluie.iboui of tht.LT lu-r .Tcivain-s. Wli lie had hat lad. tl.c p''iv az.-,wcreu \\1 a em I siprio ti-a- 'ie kjow1 nothing t'.c mat r. "Dt.nl a .'' ho said, "in

Then, .taxiiiog Ui« s^ jci, lio.v, .. a to ask when it would pi ,.-o the. :i,..u .r to intercede with the fO.i'-.et'ha: he mignt cause the sun to 'In, and tiie com to. gi'c-v, for r:a» p'wplo nrermim d, fearirg a famine in tho land.

Of course Joanna was ablest-o givo no satisfactory answer to t!io priest's .question, and alter thistho qtsiii-Krs of the settlement weio clwuiged, and for a few tlayS the survivors -slept in safety. On tho third nipht, however, two mere cf them were taken in thosame mysterious manner, and ono of those, who H'-u u.iK swore that, hearing something sti*, !w woke and saw tho floor epeo a-txl a vision of great arms dragging his -Steeping:•.companions into a hole in the floor, uhioh instantly eloat-d again. T.eonord husriod to tho. spot- tmd likadj a thai'Ot.^h examination of the stone blocks ot the pavenvent, but could ii::d Do1 crack in them. And yet, if the map had d.iviji-d, iiJW we^ tie mj-ft-ry to l.o trplained?

After this wit-h the £"(.-• tion of r, who, tjnre trf the fate teot awt-itod (h i, took Lt .U* hreil of how or when it n, t.tfa'l, ct ti 'i"' r* co il 11 si 'laCtSO'lt'i- err of the ft I a a ii gingiltt.^, a !4 bo mi a end. Leo: I 'i*i.l Frsswivo too\ -t -l ttims to w. -t'. slunihi ing tl»i e'vt to re.-1 a h, ts^ol -fa" .ij i' iv..ji.i. A -. lox' u:e sti' \. at raert,' -ii-.r st if at t'lbcd. They feifcvyed-L

In vain did l^oiiard caution Hie sitrvivoi'fl to k«p the it heads -and watch at

lei6 in

Tliey Uew to tiu beer, wldoii

su y-ied to them in plenty, and dra il do?" I they were insensible. And still ono by one they vanished mystorioi.till at length uil were gone.

Never might Lam.-.'-!! few.-ojet his foelic:2B •when ono day at (1c vr -. In the fifth wi_\Ji of theiv Lzit-.'v.'t•e.Fi.'lien, in: Lta d, c.~ 1 ••urd,

to the Kpe )••*•. ti of ti uiifortunato men vetio aacivrr.omod to sleep and found tiiora aot T.,ei'0 wcro their blankets, there was the p'tico whero the had been, and on tt-, laid eio'i-fnlly in c1 0 tiirm of a St. Alt'-' ttwis cro 1 srmo tkuown bond, 'vtru two., hcigo s&crilkial ki- .,s b,i„. cia t!.ij priests \v-.jro ti,..-' girdles.

f-Il'.'k 'd,, vifi tfxxr, ho etrtggc-.rod back totiiii tbr-. e.u--.vtn. flilito MVir OlnlU (I \vbo( early as it •was. liad t. ready risen, looking at fttia with terrified eyes and tsemhTin"Gi.i.v '..wi," h^£taswe*ed hoarsely, ''the laettwo bdMi amxk a&d hero is what was

IBO

pi.A-- vi tm'iii."

I"Francisco

weaponless.

uYes.

J-

had information of the fA'.e ot tie if owif? se"van:c. It ii-.fi ,• Liia to n^lril whom th poll I (*.o--»!n to put a*,

Vn/:

i.-' .t j.ia-'e ih" 'X bit- 1 \.

dare tof Ac:

AJRI BY

c-u.-.l

down the iu)^ c- onto the ftn emcnt. .. Tlien at last- oanna gave way.

li0h,

T.eotvird, Leonard," she said, weepim bitterly, "they were my futiu-r's servants whom 1 have known since I was a child. and 1 have Drought them to tins cruel end. Cannot you think of any way of petting out of this place? If not, 1 shall die of fear. I can sleep no, more. 1 l'eel that 1 am watched at nights, though 1 cannot. tell by whom. Last viipht 1 thought that I beard some one moving ncxir tho eurtaiu where you and Francisco lie, though boa declares that it was all fancy.". •"It is impossible," said •••••Leonard.

was watching. Ah. hero lie

conics!" As ho spoko Francisco entered tho room I with consternation written -n Lii.s face. "Outvam," h"

"mmn v«io iiinst

have In 'it in the thropo chamber whero wi si,' 't hist night. All tho rilles have pon-c—(.nrs acd those of tiio settlement men al,-o." "Gr.,' it heaven1 said Leonard. "Hut you were watching." "1 suppose that I must have dozed for a few moments," answered the priest. "Itis awful, awful, they are gone, and wo are ^vp

"Oli, can wo not escape?" moaned Juanna. "There is no hope of it," answered Leonard gloomily. "We liavo no friends here, except Olfim, and ho has littlo real power, for the priests havo tampered with the captains and the soldiers, who fear them. How can wo get out of this city? And, if wo pot out, what would become of us, unarmed and alone? Ail that wo can do is to keep heart and hopo for the best. Certainly tliey are right who declaro that no pood comes of seeking after treasure, thotuih I believe that we shall live to win it yet,'' lie added. "What, deliverer," said a satirical voico behind hit/'., "do you still desiro tho red stones, you whose licju'i's blood shall soon redden a certain stone yonder? Truly tho greed of the whi*c man is great.-!"

Leonard looked around. It was Soa who spoke, Soa who had been listening to their talk, and she was glaring at him wit.ii an expression of intense hate, in her sullen eyes. A thought, came into his mind. Was if not possible that this woman had something to do with their misfortunes? How camo it about that tho others wec.'0 taken while she was left? "Who gavo you leave, Soa," he said, looking her fcxedly in tho face, "to .Hearken to oe.r words and thrust yourself inti our talk?"' "You havo been glad enough of my counsels hitherto, whito man," sho answered furiously. "Who told you 1 lie t-iilo of this people, and who led you to their land? Was it I or another!-"

You. I regret to say," said Leonard coolly:

wince man, I led you here that

you niijdit steal tho treasure of- my people like a- tbief-sttrl did it because- the Shepherd) ss, my mistress, forced m" to the deed, and in those-days her-will was my law. For her and you I came here to my death, and what lias been my reward? 1 am putaway from her she has no kind word for me now you are about her always you hold iier counsel, but to me her mind is as a shut door that I can no longer open. Ave, you have poisoned her heart against me, you and that-black swine whom they cali a 'iofi. And Iwause she has Famed to love yon, wiiitc thief, wanderir without a kiiia1, you ,' at ym' holding she h,ei l.wii'1! ito mo ilevrv. vh 7!"!' i.m' hat,

ant

Ins pe p' i. and i., is no' '. 1 a iise-n-

t-Trr

Jal. •AH

your 1, lov y. alth mtiii1Clinv» lovt'i- 10 (_b de- i. O: t-0

ura

about, a,tiding him bnmP, for 1 ing them into .this hind of devils and ct.-rsi-t tho hour when they 1 ad hiv: mm ids im It wooi.l Lvve U-eii better, they said, i,,t ho shoma Liwc fr tht-n to their fet the.- .vet, .'pjv thoi have l'i them I.e. to tile thus. Tin Yolhtw man, hist- the. pooj)lo?we:o SOJ-Toverj .:.d ovil spi-nU'.

No did 1..0 honor, iy hero, for -ft tho hfiemtvn Peter, a man •whom ty .d.l likeil tuxi A icc:vd, went id wit-n t- .• and. -/an to and fro in the palaeo yard wi tho guards-olid-.women v.'atehed him "wi tn curious eyes as he shrieked out ou) .-es .i Joanna and Leonard. This shocking sc :.u we-tit on iorsomo hours, for his companions would not interfere with him, vbwing that lio was possessed by spirit, till, atf length ho ptit ti period to- it by suddenly o«3mmitcinp suicide.

his re. 110 tl Il:l-,. ,i.e as Soa I '•Kov. said,

1-:

know they d."

Ih-

ono of-

-i

.s.'-I i.\-l hvr L,..k. hi $ '. ":'?I tii 'ot. you ,":v

at the bottom of all 'h:s business. L\rhaps you will not mind telling ns what, ha.i beeomo of your friet.d.--. the Setfl'.inent men. or, if you tool a deliiacy on thai' point,.how it. is tiiat you havo escaped wbilo*tliey havo vanished?" "I .know.-.nothing•-of.-tho settlement men," answered tho fury, "except that they have been taken and sacrificed a: was their meed,:and as yet I have-.-lifted no hand mid-said no word .against ou, hough, a breath from mo woulil havo swept yon all to doom. -Hitherto 1 havo oen spared for tb" -an,e rea-tin that you and bald pate yonder have, bet spared—because w- are t'nc !i0d- -*it ol the la he godn at ato .d -i v.-itii tiiem when the M» reset'vi".! is diseor t,.d, or in ettei". ill rho 7 l'\ tit'.- y.l ing to a'

.1' 1

live awhile, r-t e, to bo niock"d tv as a warju',i 1 hr-nl'l

.l 1 jli.'U .d C| :s

eoht-niefs, t.aito v.,'!i, I hrve, 1 io ,'e tiU i.r.,

and

an 1

1 I'll'* S i,'-v. -.red yt,

c'!i- c-'-.:ed.

yopr

1} 1 1 has. •dl ht:

YOU.-

1 on lit, i'my

Vit,fl".re Leonard ofie-iy diuw 1 1 at the to n.i'ody F-a icisco. Jntttfel by li.ii..t ina~ greaTa rags

it e\"'-' tona v. 1 if. yi

a (}.• uiv.si -.. OV! i» *.e. lr»ev:l :.aa I w.caffliv" nnd

atnt-p-.-

ion lie iif: -d the phu.l at.el eovHotb I* *.".iieieo a'ld Jyannn :*t t- raiviuri'-r •'i !i, ,, i. tiio-ioii poii.p

"I 'to ki.l t'.lis woman before she kills 11.-., Unit la uil,"- ho'ana v. red istiidj-y. ''No, 110!" -.vo'd Juanna.' '.-i.eiM.i.e.ji faithful tes tiw for many years. I visn«n{ seo her sheit. "Let tho butcher do liis work," mocked Soa. "It shall avail him littlo. Lou lit less he ia angry b'.eathio I have spoken tlic truth ahot.t !d.,i," atidsho folded her arms upon her i. t, awaiting the lmliot. •'What

up, Fi'ancisio, saul l.eoitaid. Weniun-, (lraiuati«

l'Yi.s

loo luuch

and1 urn

iiif.i.' i\ ,• 1 t,M

-pt: I *,0 iv tlnm," sho i, f.,i ~xi wlioiu I •d -,nd have truster! ironi ii) you Fa ,'? Tl-ai I -. ,i ill!- ii.t -if tb -I b-iy 1 cW 1 t.-lilrl, I will dm ier iu U10 slnvo

w-iteh her niit'h!-. tsr.d day. It will he a, prh1- S«m. Juanna'# Aft pioas.-tnt addIt-Um -to our occupatKtn«er all, it is only ono .more- risk, which is no great- matter among so many. I fancy the tranut: is about played out anyhow." 1('ranclseo went lor too ropo anil presently returned, accompanied by Otter. A month of tuitions dissipation had left? its mark even on the dwarf's iron frame. IIis bright eyes wore bloodshot and unsteady, his hand shook, and ho did not walk altogether straight. "You have been drinking apain, you sot," said ]x*onard, turning on him savagely .' "Get hack to your drink. Wo c.ro iii sorrow ln 1'o and want no drunkards in our eompe.ny. Now, then, Francisco, "give uio that pe,"

!v, !•., I h.ivo been drinking," an-

swortcl tl dwatf humbly. "It Is well to drlrk -o otiodits, hioco wo m.sy not drinh i..:.'i«»td, and I think that the hi cf alh ia fit hand. O Shephe'di*ot tho hi tin, tluy :«.iid down jonder ut tho sett! ineat, iliat you were a great rahtniaker. Now, if you can make tho rain to fall, can you not luako tho sun to shiue'r Wind and water are till very well, but wo

,v(

t!u

.ni

hcro

.»

"Hearken," said Leonard. "Whilo you reveled, sot-, the hist of Mavoom's men vanished, and these are left in their place." And I10 pointed to tiie knives. "Is it so, baas?" answered Otter, with a hiccough. "Well, they were a poor lot, and wo shall not miss them. And yet I would 1 were a mail again and had my hands on the throat of that wizard Nam. Wowl but. I would squeeze it." •'It is your throat, that will be squeezed soon, you fool," said Leonard. "Look here, goil or 110 pod, pet you sober, or I will beat- you." "I am sober, ban*. I am Indeed. Last night 1 was drunk today nothing Is left but a pain here." And ho tapped his great head. "And why are you tying up that old cow Soa, baas?"

4'Because

sho threatens to uso her horns,

Otter. Sho says that sho will betray us all." "Indeed, baas! Well, it is in my mind that she has betrayed us already. Why do you not kill her and havo dono with it. •'Because the Shepherdess here will havo none of it," answered Leonard "nisei I do not 11 ito tho task." "I will-kill lier if yon wish, baas," sale! Otter, with another hiccough. "Sho is wicked. Lot hor eite." "I havo te-al you that tho Stoephereless will have none of it. Listen. Wo must watch this woman. We will puaul her today, and you must watch tonight. It will keep you from your drink." "Yes, baas, I will watch, though would fio better to kill her a nil have d-onfl, for thus we shoulel bo spared trouble."

Then they bound Soa securely and put her in a corner of tho throno chamber, and all that day Leonard and Francisco mount ed guard ovoy tier by turns. Sho mado no nvistaneo and said nothing. Indeed seemed as if certain lasaiuide had followed her outbreak of rape, for sho leaned her head back and slept or ntci'.o pretense to sleep.

The day passed u::,W rfully.'-••Olfan visited tiiem. as usual, and told them that tho excitement prow in tho city. Indeed the unprecedented prolongation of tiie cold weather was driving tlio people into a st.tie of st poff-ii :011s fury that must soon CKprcso it elf in loleivo of one form eu' an other, and the priests were doing every tiling in their power-to tomesit tho troubleNo inimedia' dang.r was to bo appro huidetl, houv. •.

A't 1 Tf mard tuid PTI wcvit-cei 1 iI.j courtyard luin. p.-' th vr.atlu 'dm ftheirc..- There v,,j ro nf.ii, *i. '1 hi, md bit

1.I1 h11 t\ idt) 1 at4di'tel. 'o ill it never civiiiiKi'?" said I^ionru'd. v, i.ii a !,i, b, ami ro-eutexwl tho palace, leji'owcd. .'r.iiH t.-eo. 'liien, having -.-solemnly cautionoel Ot-fcor. to keep strlot guard over, boa, they wrapped themselves up in their blankets in orehr to get .sumo teat, wlteh liotii t»i tbi'tu needed sadly: Jaatina: had .already retired, laying hi rseif down to sleep itrimediateiy' on the.--.other- side of tho curtain," for sho feared to bo .',lout'. Intletd they eoi-ld seo the -tips of ht(r -li.ti.gers !.tppea-ri»g beneath tho bottom c.f tite curtain.

Yery soon liie-y woio asleep, for even terror uins^ yield at- last to.tho necessities of

tom,

and

donao slicnjo reigned

over

tho jt.i'.s broken only by tho tramp of tiie nui vki.out. OneoLeonard epe ca hit eyt~-. iieatiiH' somothing mo-w, *i

ins-sandy .-1 L'.to., if 1 .i for ill her lively vtpf .1J and !-aW do v, of tho ha. Ve:y 1 .1 in"...'

nqh' '.t.t hia hand

1 la iin ,i 1.1 clotc tM.'- ,U. .1. ii^. -1- i.O {. Ki til 'is, 1 dl Mi's ,! 1 i.

M.i XI- ».{

th'.

of *i- .... .1 dis. ,...t

lor her imgcr was

too great to idlew 1 to any nmro. Leon-,"d could hear it no lonrvr. Indeed it is to bo f^aredr-tbat-sotuoamount of person.il ff-elt'": ioi:ce up ',,'itii 1 ho d"tnrmintitiou ibat he had e, to in tho intoro|tv-t.if theii* eontmon saiety. With an excb.tii ere.ei saw ,t1 eselrd-

teibo dt said Leonard des

perately.. "if I do

certain!y hot., ,y us."" "Then lot

sb.oot her, sho will

Iki'

b'-Uay," said Frineisco.

"It is written 'that you shall do no murder." If yon fr \T to shcot a woman, send for yonr black dog, whilo iti.au," ii ed Soa. '•Ho i.tuld h.4?-o h"'.jd my father, and doab'ii.i-s this task :.i .J will bo to his liking."

"I can't do it. Get a repo and tlo her

V'lit'.

..a

LOU

to si' e'mill tit-•-da^vn v.a*. b: to hi.il in it 1 "ikn," Li

Ho jui.tp*

the eiwai'i ti 'lr.» foot ar.d statitii v.»,-niuly at the v, ail against which S-t Jnui bcou sitt-iop. Si'e V."gouei, but 1 "sert on tho i1 Kir 1 ty tie with v«i., ^'he had been to b-

Levi .ril F'

COJIM.-iKO

i'a' ,1 r, 1

.-.ot,

Sairti, v. i!e til the stiiiko. •Nam was :.•! etir!y riser, perharts beeaasei his eonseieuee. would not allow hiio hit op or l:Pi:«Mc« on this occasion bo hsdi business of importanco to ntteml to. At. any rate, em the morning in question, if if if. be»foro the iire.ikuf dawn, ho was-seated iu». his little rejom alone, uiusiup, and indcedi his tiiougliis pave him' much food for inflection. As litis been said, ho was a very aped man. and, whatever may haw. beeni his fault-', ut least hi' was consciemIOCIHIJ* desii'fms of earr? inp on tho wofs-hlp of tho poeis accordinu to the strict lei-ttv of these customs wl'iieh I lad descended to ti fromhis ft reftttiiei^ and which ho him had folVnytl ail his iUe.

Jn truth, fr'm iemp consjdetatK.a o1!! tlietii, tin if a: tribute ait'l tho traditionsi. eortewth'p thens, Kani iiaei e, uo to Ise— lis'\e in the at foal existence eif tbi-e -coeis though ti:e In lto£ was ft qualified 000 ami somewhat !wJi hearted, or, to put it Jes:-.. dronply, ho had never allowed ids mind to entertain active doubt of tho spiritualshuinps whoso earthly worship was so powrftil a factor in his own material rule niwi prosperity and in that of his class. In itaissuets this half taith of his had been sufficiently strong to intiuco him to accept Otter aud .Inanna when they arrived mysteriously in tho land.

Were tliey poos or notr tns was trio question that esercised his miiul. If therewas truth in prophesies, tliey should b& goels. But, em the other hand, tlioro wa» nothing particularly divine about their persons, characters or attributes—that iato say. nothing sufllc.lently divine to docclvo Nam himself, whatever impression mifrlit be proiluced upon tlio vulgar.

Tims reflected Nam in perplexity of soul, wishing to himself tho whilo that lie* had retired into private lifo before he wa® called upon to faeo questions so difllouUi :md so tlanpet'ous. "I must, wait," ho muttered to himsolC at last., Time will slmw tho truth, or, if the weather eloes not, clianpe. the peoplewill settio tlio matter for mo."

As it edianceil, "oe had not, long to waitv for just then there camo a knock upon his door. ''Kilter," ho saiei. arranging liis poabskin reibo about his broad shoulders.

A priest canto in bearinp a torch, forthero was no window to tlio chamber, and after liiiu two women. "Who. is this?" s.'tid Nam,.pointing to tho second of the women. '•'i'his is she who is servant to Aon, father," answered tho priest,. "llow conies she hero?" said Nam apalix. "I pave no orders that sho should lietaken." "Sho comes of hor own free will, father, bavins: somewhat, to say to you." ''Fool, how can .sho speak to uio whom sho does not know our langungVr lint of.' her presently, Take her aside- and watch: her. Now, Sacra, your report. First, what of the weather?" "It is cold and'prayand pitiless, father.. Tho mist is dense, and no sun can bo. sei'ii." "I thoupht it, because of tho cold," and lio drew his robe close round-him. "A few more days of tins ami ho stopped, then went em. "Tell me of Jal, your lord." "Jal is as Jal was. merrynml poniewhribdrunken, iTc sneaks our huipuajjo iii, yetwhen ho was last- in -hquur he mtta a sorifr tiiat, t,«ld ol de-ids tii.it. he a'.d he wh.-te. tiiev name iho deliverer had wroupht 1.0gether down in the south souisif Iho-podtl.-'is Aea tfom somowiio hiidtak ti her eupLliu. At least,

!Oitl%" ''Ik.!

I luiderfctood tiiati

O TOTT OIK'

aB4"%ei

.d it wrong,"

IN j' \S 1

r.b •'!-, do you stilt

weirsltip fid «id?" I .!• ,) t) I dwol-icr UioM at. tierce! ,'. "Why, how this? But two days gmiw you told nie that you loved hint, nod t:lintthere was no suel^ rod as tins man and no sucli man as .1 peti "That, wtts so, iiit.iuHj but since then ha

Jul but tho m»nv brii.o," siiO saiii,

Ji:.s thrust in.'aside, sayin-t that, weary him, an-.l e:oiii'tsa iiandmaid of mine own, and therefore I.tiemand the life,of....thaU handmaiden."

Nam smd-'l primiy. 'TiTchnneo yon demand the life.of.thu pod also?" "Yi-,"' s-he replied withottt. hesH'a'tion "I wot,],t seo him dead if it can ho brought, about." tin Xtu'i stniled. Ti-tfly, nieeo, yoar tempi»r is that r-f rny sister, yau?i grand a- t,iwbiou»ir tht-tu moia- to uwih'ii 1« pot* fdou- tiiotn. W 1

1 0 in 5 i't--! 1-

yes: f'i tho e: 'a KlK.lt

i'ourdi-lve «.i'lsdiv

.d.

Nov/, v,di.it, o£ I.bt.' At:': ord- 1! to-wiite

.06

i- i"

ail, lie

.is-...iii.o: i. ui vvu:,£ 'i'h.4 ttmk ee st ton. lb SMuyJiO ii.ohi* apatn, a!:utg tuid Ott :r was calliiig jiiti, o.irt-t! voice).

said,'' come- IIK#,'.b:ttis.t'':.:-»'. '1 up and sa.i to id in, to find

•a.ng at Otter.t'Hiifi lii'm J-! ue' eiied. e: .in boi.u

by tiio siiot.i,

Ull llV44»

sleeping, iii-.u now L-i.o base rin we tiro it}! dead men.'1 Vc -. b.'ia'-e, 1 intvo been sle.iiio if you wish, for 1 ik-ati vti it. baas, lH'vetf Wiis 1 iiioic wide av/ajio In my life lunil I drank that wator. ata not wont to sleep em guard, batis." "Otter," -fiiid L-. nurd, "that wifu of yours has iii ed you." "It may ..-J, batu. At V^i. the woman lu,3 gone, and, Kiy, wIkto has she Bono?" "To 2\am, her father," an .-v,. ,-'d Leonard.

in^. Kill And yet,

CHAPTEr. XVIII.

Whilo Lc'irard and Otter sr-o'io thus In their ooiisu *. iiion,. had ti.«j ..Okno^n it, a stiil 1

-m? •1 ti.r:

t. -a -:ik-wttiV. Had

Hi it •. tit ii" ,i::,l see^e-.Jlil' Hot

1 a -!:-,d, a ui oir.j to a i'.u p. ,t *.,'1: bout to-

'1 tut iia\e ,1 to say to me," he

hi*

\V r. LCt

utfids

T'Ok f^ro tl 1 r'

That

-.t Si .*, 1." •-. =•to go, dj- hind tiigin

1, 'JVIA

"T, 1

I i.r

"Provoi!,

lies. Show tho hi-dt.- u.i

it- .e ,'i ..LIC-U

was being e..r .odo.i :.:o ,,v y. Its st-Lt owas it -rot cbainbrhotlcrwcd in tho tbiekness 01 tho temple wail, and tijfc.11

am I?" asked Pon, fvi.in ii- .i ad anr.

throw hilOVJl'.^ light. "now d-- \ot si 1 t, UI ii av 0 blood." •'This iii so, lord. -1 .ni-cf your blood. Oti yvitir it it. 1 .d think if you ear-, ri nj"n,!*-er a t'n th.-.'/.'-.te-r whom yon ioveei Many ,.t-b, who, throuph tho •%. 1.. I ,i. u' your f-.- vr.=w c! ee.i IKJ a I 1 i'i Wtako," And^hp p:»:. .,iL 1 11," ..:d Nam (t low voi,-:. '*feretionco yen can remeutber, lord, that, minci to it by love and pity, 011 tho: 11 i{jIh of tiio saezilH-0 you i: .jicit tiuns daupliUur Uievctipe tiie fillips of tiie snake." "1 rometob-. something of ic." he rt^ pliv i, "but tidings were brought TO nt to: this womita of whom you npeak w.i tovertaken b. died on bbf "That is yottr da -i than 'my .. f*M 11 Oii-2i

.-.ai'i lu iho pbi:, -. of the torcit-

••i 1 know who you ere, wanbad 1 ine! you by chance I said liit.t ytat wcro of uur

.?U'5CC«aUUvt Of at.

... lord. I

a the ffemw r.otto

'. anl you .'. I knew though y-.',

VV'L '.I'll 3

jt fctKrt'

.nu.n, and

TO «K COSTrS'JED.

ivWa all klads or printing see Xaa JouajfAi Cy,t i'nuiiaiia