The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-28

some subtle medium the association of ideas
has become fixed one. And the two palms
nave long since gotten name of evil reputa-
ton, and here, indeed, there is somewhat of
definite shaping. For the story goes that at
nlghtfall grlsly spectre comes forth from
their shadow and pursues the atfrighted way
tarer In all the country around there is not a
human being who will approach these palms
when the sun is fairly sinking, and in truth
they are stunned at cost of IL wide circuit at
any hour whatsoever.
Once again--but the hour is now high mid
afternoon of a brilliant tropical day-once
again little boat comes around the point and
makes for the beach of the barra, and once
again two men stop on the shore. They stand
brief while contenplative, impressed by the
absolute repose of the scene The broad
green leaves Of the bananas are scarce astir,
all sensitive as they are to the slightest zephyr.
Those uncouth forms that salute the eye I'M
practiced though it be, with something of
dread and horror, are not rough logs, as might
be thought at first sight, but swninsh
alligators, lazily baskipg in the slime
OF the creek or in the shade of the
cane-bral1e. The juguar and the lizard, too,
are asleep, but.further within the jungle, where
their more sensitive bodies receive less of the
intense heat of the hour. The huaco sits in the
high ceiba-for this tall, siik-cottontree will
De the nlst point to catch the grateful breath
OF the land breeze, when that cool, refreshing
wind shall blow up sweetly. The cicada sings
his grating, Strident challenge, but its measure,
lar from relieving the weight OF the day by a
hint of activity, only serves TO enhance the
feeling OF breathlessness us the Cicada call will
do, the wide world over. So, too, an added
heaviness comes from contemplation of the
hawk overhead, moving In lazy circles.
"Carembra! but what heatl" says one of the
newcomers, in liquid Spanish; 1--WE have
found the spot, there is no doubt, but the hour
is badly chosen Does it not seem strange,
Felipe, that we should so readily have found
the site described in that old parchment, writ
ten in my uncle's scrawling hand and, oddly
enough preserved in the seachest of your
father, sent home so long ago, after that last
luckless voyage, on which the two embarked
together, and from which neither returned p"
Most strange, indeed" says Felipe, "and,
for my part, L am still inclined TO think we
have come on a fruitless quest. They were
dreamers, mostlike, your uncle and my father,
and we shall find their treasure-tr to be
but rainbow gold.'
ut is more likely" says Fortunate, chat
they won it by force of violence; and you
know that gold that has been baptized in
blood shall not be enjoyed by one of the same
race as the shredder Of that blood, What have
you there, Felipe?" His tone changed from
simple earnestness to alarm, as his companion
suddenly is shaken by powerful shudder.
II do not know says Felipe; II felt that
strange, mysterious thrill of horror which is
said to be caused by the tread of an alien
foot upon the ground where ones grave shall
be-"
"Pahl nonsensel' says practical Fortunate
how weak OF You to remember old women S
ssperstisis,sl ra Eses.. 1 As,s.s 81 may IS
developing calenfuras. That long row in this
beating, blazing sun, the sudden change to the
GOODNESS OF this dense shadow, and the reek Of
rank, deeaylng vegetation-surely these are
causes enough to bring on chills and fever in
these low lands. think there must be marshes
hereabouts-I had a Whit just now of sicken-
ing, charnel-like air that sa7ors of malaria or
miasm. Ha! what is that? A man-perhaps
contestant of our claim, Felipe!"
They are nearing the palms, from whose
shade emerges the stranger strange, fantas-
tic figure, clad in torn and dusty garb Of
nautical mode and antique fashion. He draws
near to the young men, and they note that he
wears about his neck clumsy old rosary,
holding massive cross, misshapen from oxi-
dalton.
"My friend" it is Fortunate who halls him !;
edo you live hereabouts?"
The approaching figure returns no answer.
Felipe gripes his comrades arm in very
CONFUSION OF terror. do YOU see :" he cries
The has no face? He has no subStancel Oh,
God Fortunate, it is no man! 1t is q spec
tre!"
Fortunate gazes more lntently upon the
strange, owiy-noviDg object, and he per-
ceives in truth that he can distinguish no out
line Of countenance. Not that the face is
either yelled or turned aside-it is simply vague
and confused. Then he notes, concenr sing
the same intensity of observation, that
the figure. which glides rather than
walks, stirs no leaf nor blossom,
though many must be brushed violently in
that close-growing jungle. As the Shape
passes little gaps OF the open, no shadow nor
reflection falls on the still waters of the lagoon
and the shy cranes feeding among the reeds
ever alert to take wing at the nearing football
OF a human being, now forage on in undisg
turbed serenity, while the timid hum1nine
birds still hover fearlessly over the bells Of tn,
convolvulus.
Fortunate hears a crash behind him, and he
knows by instinct that Felipe has fallen, sense
less from terror, but he does not turn aside,
nor avert his eyes from the horror. On, and
on, till close beside him the Thing approaches
but the stout heart of the young man trumphs
oyer his natural tcrrors in the highest form of
courage.
The Mystery makes an imperative gesture
and Fortunate moves forward in prompt com
pliance. His ghostly guido reoedes through
the jungle Till he reaches the palm trees; he
parts the rank ferns and trailing brars and
the young man sees upon the ground an an
tique, cumbrous mattccll, half covered by de-
caying leaves and very rusty. A gain the Spec
tire signals command. and the young man
again obeys that fierce and awful gesture
wrenching the tool from its imbedded place
among the clinging creepers, and digging flu
riouslv. impelled by feverish excitement TO n
strength abnormal He is bathed in perspira-
ton, his face is crimson, his breath comes so
short and fast that he can scarce continue yet
his energy flags not.
Suddenly his pick strikes through mass Of
rotting wood. There is jingle Of metal, and,
as he wrenches the tool away, he tears off a
great fake of the decayed timber, and lays
bare cleaning heap Of gold.
He lifts his gaze to his terrible companion,
and behold! no more the antique garb and the
vague confusion Of outlines. Clear. distinct in
the broad light Of day, it is skeleton that
stands erect before him!
Then no knows no more until long hours
later, when the sea-breeze fans him back to
consciousness, and he reyiyes slowly, and ,unre-
membering AZ FIRST raises himself to a sitting
posture, and looks about him.
Yonder, few steps distant, lies Felipe, cold
and rigid, in the distorted position in which he
has fallen. The eyeballs are stil rolled uD-
ward and the lips drawn back I'm the contortion
Of mortal terror, from which they will relax to
consciousness never for Felipe is a dead man.
FurtunatO, gathering up the threads OF his
remembrance turns back 10 the pit he has I'M
covered beneath the palm trees, and there is
still the cleaning yellow mass Of gold, with
the bones Of a human frame lying in chastity
disorder upon it.-Y. IL. Adds, ia the Ar
gonaut.
Brotherly and Sisterly.
From the Utica Observer.
TFa roorhaI for bfa capa AMI apd "a