Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 8 July 1898 — Page 7

THE PEOPLE OF THE MIST.

By H. EIDEB HAGGARD.

rOotjyrlcht. 1888, by th« Author.] Then, having glanced cautiously behind her, Soa came to him and made some movements with her hands in the shadow of the tabic, and bending forward whispered awhile into his ear. When she had finished, her father looked up, and there were tears in his aged eyes. "Welcome, daughter," he said. "I thought I was alone, and that none of my blood lived anywhere upon the earth. Welcome! Your life is forfeit to the snake but, forgetting my vows, I will protect you—aye, even at the cost of my own."

Then the two embraced each other with every sign of tenderness, a spectacle that would liavo struck any one acquainted with their characters as both curious and interest! lie.

Presently Nam left tlie chamber, and having dismissed the attendant priest and Ilia greatnieoe. Saga, who were waiting outside, lie returned aiul prayed his daughter to explain lie reason of her presenco in the train of Aca. "First, you shall .swear an 0.1th to me, my .lather," said .Soa, "and if you swear it not I will loll jou no word of my story. \uu shall iswoar by the blood of Aca that you will do nothing against the life of that queen with, whom I journeyed here For the rest you may work yourwill upon them, but her you shall not harm."

V\ hy should I swear this, daughter?" lie asked.. "You shall bwear because I. w.hoitryon love, lovy her, and also because so shall you gain the greater honor." "Who am I that I slioiiid lift my hand against the gods, daughter? 1 .swear it by tho blood of Aca, and if break my oath then may Jal d«al with mo as onco be dealt with Aca.''

Then Soa went on freely, for sho knew that this was vow that coold not be broken. Beginninsr at the commencement,she told iiiin all tho story of her lifo since,' 40 years ago, she had fled from among the Poople or lh1: Mi !, passing on rapidly, however, to that, part of it which had to do with the capture and rescue of Juanna from tho slave traders, and with thepromiso that she had made to Leonard as the price of his assistance, a promise, she explained, which sho had no intention of fulfilling until sho was forced to do so by Juanna herself. Then sho gave him a minute history of the object and details of their expedition down to her final quarrel with Leonard and her mistress on the previous day.

To say that the old priest was thunderstruck at these extraordinary revelations would be too little. He was literally overwhelmed—so overwhelmed that for awhile ho could scarcely speak. "It is well for this jade of a mistress of yours, who dares to make a mockery of our goddess that she may steal her wealth, that I have sworn to save her from harm, daughter," he gasped at length, ''else she had died, and swiftly. At least tho others remain to mo." And he sprang to his feet. "Stay awhile, father," said Soa, catching his cloak. "What is your plan?" "My plan? To drag them to tho temple and denounco them. What else is thero to do?" "And thereby denounce yourself also, who proclaimed iheia gods. I think I have a better." "Speak it then, daughter." "It is this. Do you pass in before the gods this day, speak humbly to tho gods, praying them to change the face of the heaven that the sun may shine, and telling them that strange talk has come to your ears by the mouth of Saga and tho other women of words that havo been spoken by the god JaU which would'seem to show that ho is 110 god, but that of this you believe noticing as yet. Then tell them that if the face of the heavens remain unchanged on the morrow you will know that this talk is true, and that they will ho brought to tho temple, there to be judged and dealt with according to tho finding of the peoplo, who have heard these things also." "And what if tho weather feliould change, daughter?" "It will not change yet awhile, but if that should chauce wo must make another plan." "Just now I sworo to you that I would not harm her whom you love, and yet, daughter, if she is proved to be a false goddess in tho face of all tho multitude, how shall she escape harm, for then her end must he quick and terriblcf' "Sho shall escape because she shall not be thore, father. You have seen the white man with her—not the deliverer, tho other. Wcro that man dressed in the robes of Aca and sat on high upon tho head of the statuo when tho light is low, who shall say that it was not Aca?" "Then you would give all the others to death, daughter?" "Nay, I would save the deliverer alive, for awhile, at least." "And wherefore? You are too subtle for me." "For this reason, father. He loves her who is named Aca and trusts to marry her, to marry her fully according to the custom of his people. Therefore I would that he should see her givei# to another." "To another 1 To whom, then?" "To Olfan, tho king, who also loves her."

Now Nam held up his hands in perplexity, saying: "Oh, my daughter, be plain, I pray of you, for I cannot understand your counsels. Wcro it not better to givo to tha.-co people tho red stones that they desire and send them secretly from tho land, saying that they had vanished into the. .earth again, for so.it seems to me we should bo rid di m,uch shame and trouble?" "Listen, my father, and will -tell you. Were she whom I'love to leave this laud I should see her face no more, and this madness !5as come upon 1110 that I cannot live without the sight of lier. Also how can these people escape the dangers of the road? Iiut four of them are left alive, and even wore they without our borders they must journey for three months before they coma to any place wiioro white men live, passing through swamps and deaerte and tribes of wild men, which they could hardly do with arms such as thoso whereby tho deliverer slew tho prk'i-' i, and now their arms aro gone, you tilcuo know where, my father." "The instruments of which yon speak lie in the deep waters of the temple pool, my daughter, for there I caused them to be cast." "Thar arms are gone, They are alone. IlerO they must live or die. Three of them I would give to death, and tho fourth I would make the wife of the king, seeing that nothing better can bo done for lior. Let her bo hiddon for awhile, and tben let

Oltan take tier. As lor tlie tale tliat wo" shall tell of the matter to the ears of the people, doubtless timo will show it. I 6ay that Olfan loves her and will buy her with a great prico, and the price that you must ask shall be that henceforth he obeys you in everything." "The scheme is good, daughter—at least, bearing my oath in mind, I have none better, though were it not for my oath either I would kill them all or set them free. Yet who can say that it shall suo-. ceed? It is in the hands of fate. Lot it go as fate wills. And now follow me, that I may place you where you shall dwell in comfort, and then when we have oaten I will speak with these gods whom you have let loose upon us."

That morning passed heavily enough for the four wretched prisoners in the palace. For some hours they sat together in the throneroom almost silent, for they were crushed by misfortune and fear. Tho toils were closing on them, and they knew it, nor could they lift a finger to save themselves. Francisco knelt and prayed, Leonard and Juanna sat hand in hand listening to him, while Otter wandered to and fro liko an unquiet spirit, cursing Soa, Saga and all women in many languages and with a resource and vigor that struck his hearers as unparalleled. At length he vanished through tho curtains to get drunk probably, Leonard reflected.

However, the dwarf sought not drink, but vengeance. A few minutes later, hearing screams in the courtyard, Leonard ran out fti himself a witness of a curious scene. There 011 the ground, surrounded by a group of other women, her companions, who were laughing at her discomfiture, toy the stately Saga, bride of the snake, mid over her stood her lord and master, the god Jal, his left hand twisted in her long:hair, wliile with, his right,.in which he grasped a leather thong, despi to her scream* and entreaties, lie administered to her one of the soundest and, bo it addeu, hose disserved thrashings that ever fell to the 1 it of en-ins women. "What uro you doing, you fool?" said Leonivrd. ••I.am teaching thi3 wife of mine that it is .not well to drug a god, baas," replied Otter, then added, with a final and most ferocious out, "There, got you gone, witch, and let mo-eco your ugly face 110 mora."

The wo»ini rcs»o and went, cursing ana weeping, while the dwarf followed Leonard back into the throneroom. "You have done it now. Otter," said Leonard. ''Well, it does not much matter. I fancy she is gone for good anyway. "Yes, baas, sho has gone, and she has gone sore," replied Otter, with .a, faint grin.

At that moment a messenger arrived announcing that Xam was without waiting for an audienoo. "Let him be admitted," said Juanna, with a sigh, and seated herself 011 one of tho thrones, Otter clambering into the other.

They had scarcely taken their places when tho curtains were thrown back and the ancient priest entered, attended by about a score of his fellows. He bowed himself humbly before Juanna and the dwarf and then spoke. "Oh, ye gods," hn said, "I come in the name of tho People of the Mist to take counsel with you. Why it is we do not know, but things have gono amiss in the land. Tho sun does not shine as in past years before you came to bless us neither does the grain spring. Therefore your people are threatened with a famine, and they pray that you may comfort them out of the store of your wisdom." "And if wo have no oomfort to give, Nam?" "Iben, queen, the people ask that you will be pleased to meet them tomorrow in the temple at the moonrise, when the night is one hour old, that they may talk with you there through tho mouth of me, your servant." "A«nd if wo weary of your temple and will not come, Xani?" asked Juanna. "Then this is tho command of tho people, O Aca, that wo bring you thither, and it is a command that may not be disobeyed," answered the high priest slowly. 1 "Beware, Nam," replied Juanna. "Strange things happen hero that call for vengeance. Our servants pass away liko shadows, and in their place we find such weapons as you carry." And she pointed to the priests' knives. "We will come tomorrow night at the rising of tho moon, but again I say to you beware, for now our mercy is but as a frayed rope, and it were well for you all that the cord should not break."

CHAPTER XIX.

Tho morrow drew toward its evening. Liko those that had gono before it, this day had been misty'and miserable, only distinguished from its predecessors by the fall of some sharp showers of sleet. Now, as the afternoon waned, the sky began to clear in its accustomed fashion,, but tho bitter wind sweeping down from tho mountains, although it drove away the fog, gave no promise of any break in the weather. At sunset Leonard went to the palace gates and looked toward tho temple, about the walls of which a number of people were already gathering,- as in London a crowd of theater goers collect at the pit doors on the occasion of some great theatrical event long before the time advertised for their opening. Some of these peoplo oaught sight of him, and drawing as near to tho gates of the palace as they dared howled curses and shook their fists in his direction. "That is a forotaste of what we must expect feomight, I suppose," said Leonard to Francisco, who had followed him as they retreated across the courtyard. "Wo aro in a fixjiow, and 110 mistake. I do not so much caro for my own sake, but it breaks my heart to think of Juamia. What will bo tho'end of it, I wonder?" "For mo, Outram, the end will bo death, of that I am sine. Well, I have long expected ic, and I am ready to die. What your liite will be I cannot'say but, as to Juanna, com 1 on., yourself,.for many weeks I lwc hiida pi e.-ioiii.nuont that sho will qs-"chpo-safely." "In that cane I am ready enough to go," nivsworod Leonard. "Life is as-dear to 1110 as to other men, but I tell you, Francisco, that I will pay mind gladly tonight as the prlco of her deliverance." "I know it, Outram. Wo are both of one miiul there, and perhaps before many, hours aro over wo shall be called upon to practice what wo preach."

But now they had reached the throneroom, where OttoT_ who for tlie last 21 hours had been qui do sober, was squatted on the floor at tho foot of his throne, a picture of despondent misery, while Juanna walked swif Hy np and down the long room lost in ru(ii:ci.ion. "Any news, Leonard?" she said as they came in. "None, except that there are great prepr arations going on yonder," and ho nodded toward tho temple "also a mob is howl-ing-at the gafeeg." "Oh!" groaned Otter, addressing Juanna. "Cannot you, wlio aro named Shepherdess of tho heavens, prophesy to tlieso peoplo that the woathor tflU change and

so'save us from tho snake?" "I can prophesy," she answered, "but it will not change tonight, nor, I think, tomorrow. However, I will try."

Then came a silence. Nobody seemed to have anything to say. It was broken by the entrance of Olfan, whose proud face showed the trouble of his mind. "What passes, Olfan?" asked Juanna. "O queen," ho answered sadly, "there is great trouble at hand. The poople rave for the blood of you, their gods, O queen. Nam told you that ye are summoned this night to take counsel with the people. Alas, I must tell you otherwise! This night ye will be put upon your trial before tho council." "That we guessed, Olfan, and If the verdict goes against us, what then?" "Alas, that I must say itl Then, O queen, you will be hurled, all of you, into the pool of the snake to share the bed of the snake." "Cannot you protect us, Olfan?" "I cannot, O queen, except with my own lifo. The soldiers are under my command indeed, but in this matter they will not obey mo, for the priests have whispered in their ears, and if the sun does not shine they, too, muse starve next, winter. Pardon me, qui on. but if you are gods, how is it that you need help from nie, who am but a man'-' Cannot tho gods then protect themselves and be avenged upon their enttin in.fi?''

Juanna looked despairingly at Leonard, who sat by her side pulling at his beard, as was his fashion when perplexed. "I think that you had better tell him,"' I10 said in English. -'Our situation is desperate. "In a few hours ho will probably know us to be impostors. Indeed ho guesses it already. It is better that he should learn the truth from our own lips. Tho man is hohe'st, and, moreover, owes his life to us, though it is true that .were ic not for us he would ne\or have been in danger of his life. JSow we must trust him mid take our chance. If wo niak--} a mistake, it does not greatly matter—we have made so many already." .Juanna bowed her head and thought awhile. Then'she lifted it and spoi:6.

Olfan,'» she said, "are we alque? That which I have to s»y must be overheard by none." "WtVarp-Blo'ne," queen,he answered, glancing round, "but-these wails havo ears." "Olfan, draw near."

He obeyed, and leaning forward sho spoke, to him almost in a whisper, while tho .others clustered round to hear her foice. "Youmust call me queen no more," she said in a voice broken-with humiliation. "I am no goddess. I am but a mortal woman, and this man," and she pointed to Otter, "is 110 god. He is only a dwarf."

She paused, watching the effect of her words. An expression of astonishment swept across the king's face, but it was her boldness rather than the purport of her speech that caused it. Then he smiled. "Perhaps I have guessed as much," he answered, "and yet I must still call you by that name, seeing that you are the queen of all women, for, say, where is there another so lovely, ao bewre or so great? Here, at least, there are none," and he bowed before her with a stately courtesy that would have become any European gentleman.

Now it was Leonard's turn to look'astonished. There was nothing in the king's words to which he could take objection, and yet he did not like their tone. It was too full of admiration, and, moreover, it seemed to him that Olfan was not in the least disappointed to discover as a fact that Juanna was only a woman, a supposition that was fully established by his next speech. "I am glad to learn from your lips, O queen, that you aro 110 goddess, but a mortal lady, seeing that goddesses are far away, and wo men must worship them from afar, whereas women we may love," and again he bowed. "My word!" said Leonard to himself. "This king is going to set himself up as my rival. I almost wish I put things on a more satisfactory footing, but of eourso it is absurd. Poor Juanna!"

As for Juanna herself, she started and blushed. Here was a new trouble, but however disagreeable it might prove to bo now was no time to show displeasure. "Listen, Olfan," she said. ""This is not an hour for pretty speeches that mean nothing, for it seems that before the light dawns again I may well bo dead and far beyond all love and worship. This is our tale: Wo came to your land to seek adventures, and also to win those red stones that you namo tho blood of Aca, which among tho white peoplo are much prized as ornaments for their women, and that is why I, who am a woman, urged the deliverer here to undertake this journey, and it is because of my folly that now we all stand in danger of our lives." "Your pardon, queen," said Olfan bluntly, "but I would ask you ono question before you would tell me the end of your tale. What is this white man to you?"

Now Juanna was in a cleft stick. If sho said that Leonard was nothing to her, it might possibly bo better for him, though it was doubtful whether Olfan would believe her. If, on tho other hand, she said that he was her husband, it might be better for her and protect her from tho advances of this dignified savage, but against this course hor pride revolted. Had she not always indignantly repudiated the Validity of that hateful marriage, and, though she loved him, were not she and Leonard in a sense at daggers drawn? Still she must decide, and quickly her oommon sonse told her that under the circumstances it was her pride which must givo way. "Ho is my husband,'.' she said boldly.

Olfan's iaee fell. Then a look of doubt came into it, for Juanna's mode of life, every detail cf which was known to him, seemed to contradict her statement

Then Juanna told him all that had occurred, how sho had been liberated, how they had journeyed to tho country of -tint People of tho Wist. "And now, Oi.an, we have played tho game, and wo-have lost, or so it sw »rii— that is, unless) you help us." And iii: clawed her' -.hands and looked upon hJ-.i p3e:,.tingly. ••-.-• i-. ...

Tho king dropped his eyes tine .-is though ho were not willing to coiiUunplato the loveliness which he now learned belonged to the white stranger at her sid "Have I not said that my power is lit1 tie, queen?" ho answered f-nwnvhat sullenly. "Moreover, why cjld 1 help theso who (tamo to the land to trick us, and who havo brought tho anger of the gods upon its children?" "Becausfe we saved your life, Olfan, and you swore to bo loyal to us." "Had it not* been for you, quaoh, my lifo would not have been in danger. Moreover, I swore fealty to gods, and now the gods aro mortals, upon whom tlio true gode will he avenged. Why, tlicn, should I help yoo?" "Because wo havo 1m Wends, Olfan. You shall help us for my sake." ,, "For your sake, queen," ho said bitterly. "#0». your sake,, who teij roo that.you

are tins mail's wire, ana niaFyou lovo ninT to tho death? Nay, this is much to ask. Had it been otherwise, had you been unwed and willing to look upon me, the king of this land, with favor, then doubtless I had died for your sake if thero were need, but now—I! Havo you, then, no bettor reasons to show why I should risk my life for you and theso men?" "I have two more reasons, king, and if they are not enough then leave us to our fate and let us waste no more breath in words who must prepare to die. Tlio first is that we aro your friends and have trusted you, saving your life at the danger of our own and telling you this talo of our own free will. Therefore, in tho name of friendship, which you, who are no common man, but a king, should hold sacred, we demand your help, we who have put our lives in the hollow of your hand, knowing that you are of a noble mind and will not betray us. The second is that our interest is your interest. We strivo against Nam and the priests, and so do you. If Nam conquers us today, tomorrow it will be your turn, and the snake, whose fangs you must feel, shall in the timo to come feed upon you also. Now is tho hour of destiny for you and your descendants. Cling to us aiul break tho yoke of Nam and tho priests, or desert us and bind that yoke upon your shoulders to your doom. I have spoken. Choose."

Olfan thought awhile and answered: -frulv your mind is great, queen, and sees far into tho darkness of things such ah.our women havo no knowledge of.' You should have .ruled this, country and not, I, for then by now Nam, who is my master, would have begged his daily bread: at: the gatc-oi' your p: lace, and the priests, his servants, had become the hewers of your wood and the d: iwers of your water. But. I -Will jjon-t-nlk to.-you-of policy, for time is f-hi'ii. JS'ay, 1 will deal with your lirsc rea.-'iii tmd that u-lttne. You have conjured me in the name of friendship and of my oath .ind by tho memory (if service done, nnd !ii |i in vain. I am a man different from t-bot race of.-men of whom you are, a wild chief of a wild tribe, having little knowledge yet-1 have learned those things: Xever.ta. break a promise,, never co. desert*, a lriend and never to iorjset a service. Therefore, because, Kwote fealty to yoo, because you are- my friend and- because you sawd my life, 1 will..-protect you to the last, though, it may well chance that I can 00 11111 hum except to die loir you, for, queen, although you can bo naught to 1110 while yonder man lives, still I am ready to give mv life for you. As for the others, will say this only—that I will not harm them or betray them. And now I go to speak with certain of the great men who lire friends to 1110 and hate the priests, so that when this matter comes on for judgment they may lift up their voices in your favor, for nothing can bo dono except by policy—that is, not now. Shortly I will return to lead you to tho temple. Till then farewell." And ho bowed and was gone.

CHAPTER XX.

Juanna had scarcely restored the remainder of hor deadly medicine to its hiding place when the curtains were drawn and Nam entered. After his customary salutations, which on this oocasion were more copious than usual, ho remarked blandly that the moon had risen in a cleur sky. "Which means, I suppose, that it is time for us to start,'' said Leonard gruffly.

Then they set out, Juanna in her monklike robe and Otter in his red fringe and a goatskin cape which ho insisted upon wearing. "I maj' as well die warm as cold, baas," I10 explained, "for of cold I shall know enough when I am dead."

At the palace gate Olfan and a guard wcro waiting, but they found no opportunity of speaking with him. Here also wero gathered a great number of priests, who prceoded and followed them. The procession being formed, they wero led solemnly to a different gate of the temple from that by which they had entered it on previous occasions. This time the secret passages were avoided, and they passed up a broad avenue through the center of the amphitheater to seats that had been prepared for them 011 that side of the pool which was farthest from the colossal Idol. As before, tho temple was crowded with thousands of human beings, aiul their advance through it was very impressive, for tho priests chanted as they walked, while the multitude preserved an ominous silence. At first Leonard was at a loss to know why they were placed on the hither side ef the pool, but presently he saw tho reason. In front of the chairs to bo occupied by Juanna and Otter an open space of rock was left, semicircular in shape, 011 which were set other seats to tho number of 90 or more. These seats were'allotted to elders of the people, who, as Leonard rightly guessed, had been chosen to act a$ their judges, and the position was selected for their convenience and in order that tho words spoken might be audible to a larger proportion of the vast audience.

When Juanna and Otter were seated and Leonard and Francisco had taken their places behind them, Nam camo forward and addressed the council of elders and the multitude beyond. "Elders of the People of the Mist," he s&id, "I have conveyed your wishes to tho holy gods, who but lately havo deigned to put on the flesh of men and visit us, their people—namely, that they should meet you here and talk with you of tho troublo which has come upon the land. And now the gracious gods havo assented to your wish, and behold they are face to face with you and with this great company of their people. Now be pleased to make known what you desire to the gods, that they may answer you either with their own mouths or by the voice of me, their servant." i-

He C"H.?ed. and after pause, during which the jpe^pl" murmured angrily, an elder rose un^buid: "Wo old knew of ,you how it 3?, O Acn ,O Jal. thr.t the j-uimmr has do sorted','*!

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MWiflWI I ,in

out strait is very

fiorry, f.jv f..i .im .i.j -ome upunMi.-i with the win: ,.!ov.' Awhile Aca and O iJ.! f. you eeange.d the worship of tho l::j

."'i.'diig the vietiius who had

bet 1 •, to be offered up at the spring fc 'ival. and,-lo! there lias been 110 Spring. Therefore we ask a word of you 011 this matter, for tho people-have consulted together and say by our voice 1 hat thoy will ltavn no gods who kiH the spring. Speak, O yo gods, and you, Nam, speak also, for wo would learn the reason of these evils, and from yon, O Nam', we would learn how it comes that you havo proclaimed gods in the land whoso breath has di Mroyeil the sunshine. ''"Sou auk me, O PetpUrof tlio Mist," answered Jt^nna, "why it, is that the winter stretches out his hand over tlio slumber of tho spring, forbidding her to awake, and I will answer you in'few worda and fcbort. It is because of your disobedience and tho hnrdness of your hearts, O yo rebellious children. Did yo not do •suorifice when wo forbade you to take the blood of men? Aye, and have not our servants been stolen secretly away and uutto death

J"'.,

to satisfy your lust for blood? It is for this reason, because of your disobedience, that tho heavens have grown hard as your own hearts and will not bless you with their sunshine and their gentle rain. I have answered you."

Then again tho spokesman of tho elders arose and said: "Wo have heard your words, O Aca, and thoy are words of little comfort, for to sacrifice is tho custom of tho land, and hitherto no evil lias befallon ua because of that ancient custom. Yet if thero has been offenso it is not we who havo offended, but rather tho priests in wlioso hnnds theso matters lie, and as for your servants we know nothing of them or of their fate. Now, Nam, mako answer to tho charges of tho gods and to tho questions of tho peoplo, for you are tho chief of their servants, and you havo proclaimed them to bo true cods and set, thorn over :is to rulo us."

Thus adjured, Nam stoou forward, and his mien was humblo and anxious, for I10 saw well that his accusers wero not to be trifled with, and that his lifo, or at least his power, was at stako, together with those of the gods. "Children of tho Mist," I10began, "your words are sharp, yet I do not complain of them, for, as you shall learn, my fault has been grievous. Truly, I am tho chief of the servants of tlio gods, and I am also tho servant of the. people, and now it would seem that I have betrayed both gods and people, though not of my own will. Listen. Yd know the legend that has come down to us—how that Aca and Jal should reappear in tho land wearing the shapes of the fair white maiden aiul a dwarf. Yo know also how they enmc, as had been pro.iulf.eil,, anil how showed them to. you hero iu this '.einple, and ye accepted them. Yo 3'i"momuer that then they pur away the ancient law and forbade tho sacrifices, and by the hand of iJielr servant, who laai/uned deliverer, destroyed two of the nests, niv brethren, in asTrange.and terrible fashion" '.i ii-,11 I murmured, though they threatened me'with death, but yo overruled my words and accepted the new law,. and rtinoe then all things havo gono ilh -Xow, after that night I took council "with my heart, for it seemed wonderful to mo,that tlio gxjdfs should discard their ane.iont worship, mul I wiii.1 to my heart, Can-these bo tiue gods, or have I perchance been duped? Then I held liiy pea'co and set myself to .watch, and now after much watching—-nlasi that I must say it to my shame—I have discovered that they aro no true gods, but wicked liars wiio havo sought to usurp tho placos of tho gods."

Ho paused, and a roar of rage and astonishment wont up from tho assembled thousands. "It has come at last," whispered Leonard into Juanna's ear. "Yes, it has come," sho answered. "Well, I expected it, and now wo must face it out."

When the tumult had subsided, tho spokesman of the elders addressed Nam, saying: "These aro heavy words, O Nam, and having uttered them you must provo them, for until they are proved wo will not readily believe that there live human beings so wicked that thoy dare to name themselves as gods. When you proclaimed these to be Aoa and Jal, we accepted them, perhaps too readily and after too short a search. Now you denounce them as liars, but wo will not disolaim them whom we havo onco received till we are sure that .there is no room for error. It may chance, Nam, that it would plcnso you well to cast aside those gods who havo threatened you with death and do not love you." "I should be bold indeed," answered Nam, "if I dared to speak as I havo spoken, not having testimony to establish a chargo so dreadful as that which I bring against these wanderers. Nor should 1 seek to publish my own shame and foily were I not forced to it by knowledge that, did I conceal, it would mako me a partner of their crime. Listen. This is tlio tale of tboso whom we havo worshiped. Tho fair woman, as she herself told lis, is named Shepherdess of the heavens, and she is the wife of tlio wbito man who is named deliverer, and tho dwarf dweller in tho waters is their servant, together with the second white man and tho others. Dwelling in a far country, theso men and the woman chanced to learn the story of our people—how I shall show you presently— and also that we find in tho earth and use in the ceremonics of tho templo certain red and bluo stones which, among the white people, aro of priceless value. These, being adventurers who seek after,wealth, they determined to steal, and to this end the Shepherdess learned our language, and also by the help of tho dwarf how to play the part of Aca, while I10, dog that he is, dared to take the holy name of Jal. I will bo short. They accomplished thoir journey, and the rest yo»i know. But, as if happened, none of tho stoius :heyeo* have come iiito their hands, except t.:a' one which the .'-'hephcrdess wears upon forehead, and this she brought with hor. "Now, People of the Mist, when doubts of these gods had entered into mo, 1 made a plan. I set. spies to watch them in the palace yonder, those spies being tlie wife who was given tothedwarf and her handmaidens aho 1 caused their black servants to be nized and thrown in to the snake, ono or two of the.111 at a time, for of this I was sure—that if they had power they would protect their servants but, as the snake knows, those men were not pro tected. Meanwhile reports came to mc from the women, and more especially from Saga, the granddaughter or my brother, who was given as a bride to Jul. Tills was their report—that tho dwarf behaved himself like a cur of low birth, and that when he was in liquor, which was often, lie babbled ef his doings with tho deliverer in other lands, though all that ho said they could not tell me, because even now ho has !i 1.1 lo- knowledge of cmr tongue. lit tji ,» xak« came to my o.u-, you may guess, O I .iplo of the MUb, that if 1 h.nl dm,-'i !.e now nr» Ui he-tit: was sua! i.i, 'st I had no proof, li: my dari.i ••-()%-,-d n\ ti.e' 1 1 Eif i'' jt eanie 1/ rb folk Hfi 1 1 thi v,..md( r'*r-i 1, \mmij 'ra,.aDd b.i ye. fidaytJin to mo and coisfi -d all. Forty }ear., igo f-ho bad Hod Imm anion'..-. ',yr peoplo,'l k::ow not why, but she .. v,Hh her a knowledge of our secrets. It v.-.-, she ivhu told them of the gods and Ibu ..iojnf the ^ids and instructed them how they :-,i.-iuld deceive us,and win tlie rod which they desired. But now her heart repents her of tho evil, and I will sui'un-n bar belore you: that yoo may judge wt.vjj rue and -lutnj who havo brought nie to this tihame. Bring forth the wo: m." 'L'hero was a silence, and to inb 0-0 was the interest that no ,uul c... t'10 audi! -'.!, which wt ..id for t1 ..pi

14nee

-.^J.

of the witnei-o. Pre 1 ntly ad vam-ed from the shadows at me foot of the colossus, and. escorted by two priests, took Iter stand iu tho center of the-scnaicirelo cf tho judges. "Speak, w*ivan," said Nam.

Then Soa sjwke. "I n»n of tlio People of tho Mist," sho said, "as yo may know by lookijii: on me and hearing igo. I, was the

daughter ot a priest, aim 'IU years ago, when 1 was young and fnir, I (led the lanci for my own reason and traveled south for three months' journey till 1 came to a village on a mighty rivor, whero I dwelt for20 years, earning my livelihood as a dootross of medicine. Then thero uuiuu iiuto the village a white man, whoso wife gave birth to a daughter and died. 1 became the* nurse of that daughter. Sho is tho woman who sits before you, and her namo-n sfhephordess. Twenty years more went by, and! I desired to return to my own luucb ti&at 1 might die among my peoplo. I told thei tale of my, land and of its wealth to theShepherdess and her husband, the. deliverer, for I dared not travol alone. Tfierefore, in my wickedness, I showed them how they might pass themselves off as- kfte gods of tho Peoplo of the Mist const back according to tho legend, for I saw that the dwarf, tho deliverer's servant was shaped liko to tho shape of tho statuer of Jal, who sits in stono above you. Boing greedy, they fell into tho plan, for,, above all things, they desired to win tho precious stones, but when wo wero come hither my heart was troubled because ot tho evil which 1 had done, and yesterday li escaped to Nam and told him all the talcs that you have heard. That is tin* story, Peoplo of the Mist, and now I pray yourmercy and jour forgiveness."

Soa ceased, and Leonard, who had beoiwatching.the multitude,..whispered to Juanna: "Speak -quickly if you can think of anything to say. They aro silent now because of their astonishment, but in an-, other minute thoy will.break out, and theu our chance will be gone. "People of the Mist," oricd Juanna,•: taking-tho hint, "you have heard thowords.of Nam and the words of- her who* was mv servant. They dure to Loll you that we are no gods. -Ho bo it. On thismatter we will "not reason with you, for can tho gixls descend to prove their godi\ in will saV this in warning—put us away if you wish, «nd it tfia^ v/eii /chanpci that.wivshall suffer ourselves to bo put w-ay, since tho gods do not dcairo to rule...over those who reject, them, but would chdoso rather to return, to thoir own place. Yet lor you It shall' bo an evil and an unlucky day when yon liff hand fjgainst om* majesty, lor in going wo will leave you that by which wo shall bo remembered. Aye, wo will boqucath to you throe things—famine and pestilence'and'civil war, which shall rage? among you and destroy you till yo aro nomoro a people. Yo havo suffered our servants to be murdered anil disobeyed our commands, and it is for this reason, as I have told j'ou, that tho sunshines no moroand tho summer will not come. Completeyour wickedness if ye will und let tho god® follow by the path that their servants^ trod, and then, Peoplo of tho Mist, ye. shull reap as ye have sown, and death and: desolation shall bo your harvest. And now for that has* slave who has borne false witness against us. Among tlio many, things sho tol" you ono thing eho left untold—that she is daughter to Nam, tlio priest that sho fled the land becauso sho was chosen brido to tho snake and is therefore an apostate worthy of doath. One word also as to Nam, her father. If tbate tale wero truo which ho has told you, then* he himself is condemned by It, for doubts less ho know it all at tho beginning, from the lips of his daughter Soa, and knowing it it would seom that he dared to Bet uj gods in the land whom lie belinved totoe false, trusting theioby to incref^a his ewnx power and glory, and when they fnllecfi. him because of his wickedness then he did not scruple to'cry aloud his slmmo. I havospoken, People of the Mist. Now judge I10tween us and let fate follow judgment, for wo renounce you."

Sho ended, her face alight with anger and her eyes Hashing with excitement, and so groat was the power of her eloquence and beauty that it seemed to throw a spell of silence over the hearts of liorfiorco and turbulent, audience, vvhiio Soa slunk back into tho shadow and Nam cowered visibly beneath them. "It is lalse, O people!" cried tho high priest in a voice trembling with rage and fear. "My daughter told 1110 tho talo fottho first timo at dawn todav."

TO BK GOXTINtlKD

GARLAND'S CROSS ROADS Adam Lenvard sports a new wheel!' Robert Miller has puro-haeed a new buggy.

Esa Kellar and Mrs. David Sb.onf are on the sick list. L. W. Lindsey, of Alamo, was through here on Monday.

Mrs. Amanda Ham, of Olore's Oroye, visited here last week. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Houston Sowers, July 3, 1898, a daughter.

Sunday school every Sunday at Jfc30. Everybody invited to attend. "sherman Garland and William Wilkinson have purchased new long distance telephones

In memory of Mrs. Temperance Pickett, who departed this life Tuesday evening, June 28, 1898, at her homo in String-town, Ind., of dropsy, aged 33 years, 11 months arid 24 dayp. Mrs. Pickett was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Parks, of New Market, Ind. She was born July 4 1865, and was married in 1882. She was a true and faithful wife, a loving mother and a kind neighbor. She leaves two children, a father, mother, four brothers, a sister and many friendsio mourn her death She bore her illness patiently and was reconciled acid willing to crosV the dirk river of death.The funeral services were conducted at the residence after which the remains were conveyed to the Lutheran cemetery act laid to res?. Her parents, brothrrs and sister have the sympathy of all .a tjii*1 their sad bereavement.

W on or r«l fr front evc:-y oars! tuid (j,, in An1 In "i.t/in *11 Is Krvlit

I hope to mt'f-j, you all .tguln.

K. Y, l.\ V. N. Y, July ttti to ITtli,1 vi» th«j.Walja»li, For the above occasion tickets wil1. be sold July nth, Htb und ':-,.!!, final return limit Sept. 1.' Pabtecger: can have choice of all rail route t.o •Butt-Jo via the Wabash sroitijf, return*: ing nout, or vice vorea or Wabash to Toledo or. Detroit and boat to Buffalo and return, hnould holders of tickets which read going an returning all rail, desire to return via boat, the can have tickets honored by. the beat Wr?s y. it tiout tvlditi'K al charge or inconvorticnee, as the bo 5 lines,for this occasion will honoi tickets reading all rail route. Sate from LafajrfUo' 3:

Delphi 813,40 and from' $12.80. K-.-member the runs solid trains over their ow-ntT'iel:* composed of free reclining chair Vk, day ccach«?s and s'ce'peia to Buffalo without change. For furti.er information call on or address.

Tlioq. Follkk, Passenger Agent, fr' Lafayette Ind»