Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-07-05

question into words. There was Gun
ningly hidden opening in the rock wall
We squeezed through. and within was
wide and airy cave-evidently a place o.
habitation. Nature had shaped its walls
and stretched its roof, but art had trans
formed the rude mountain eyre into a
palatial hal. Evidences of wealth were
on every side. The finest Oriental fab
RIGS were the garniture Of shelving floor
and lofty recess. Soft rugs were here IN
bewildering profusion, and furniture and
pieces of bric-a-brac that would nave
fetched fabulous sums in Wardour street
Ny eyes caught also the unmlstakaole
CLEAN of the precious metals
1t was q riddle at first where the sub
dued light came from, for window there
was none. But at last made the dis
covery that at one end of the great
chamber was long gallery, communi,
eating, doubtless, with the outside world
amidst the inaccessible heights OF the
cliff. This admitted both air and light;
sunshine could be but brief visitant.
am weavingt together the results OF
extended and leisurely examination. AT
the instant of introduction | was too as
tonished to observe many details. The
amazement mirrored inevitably upon my
countenance wasnoticed.
This is poor wanderers occasional
home. Its existence is q secret which
you wiz not betray," Moung Ko said.
"You are the first stranger have had
the honor to welcome here; and when
you are strong enough togo with me
down the valley to the monastery shall
ask that you keep strict silence as to
where you have been. You can say that
you have rested in a cave mans haunt
1t viii be true. l am sure my secret is
safe"
The calm expression Of complete GER
tainty struck me as singular.
81 am f1attefSH by your faith in my
gratitude, and I hope and believe that it
is not misplaced, answered; but is
there not a risk? l may disappoint you
by some unguarded word. Do you not
fear it,
was smiling; but it was no smile that
came on Moung Kos face. a light was
in the deep set, neutral tinted eyes that
touched my spirit almost to awe.
''No, do not, Moung Ko replied, in
deep, resonant tones. 1T is on the
scroll of the future that shellnot suffer
through you. My own people-they will
mete out the punishment that has tar
ried SO long. But what am l saying?
Yes, l can read the language of the face
know that may trust you"
The light was gone, and could have
farcied that had not really heard those
words Of weird fate which, nevertheless
l was to remem Der after many days.
While we talked Moung 10 was deity
preparing and applying a cool compress
to the swollen joint. 1t was patent that
he possessed not a little surgical skill.
Suddenly l spoke of the strange figure
had seen while waiting for the fiat of
fate. and | surely felt Moung Kos
fingers tremble. His head was bent
down, and this was my one warning Of
the phoonghies uneasiness. His reply
was evasive.
'There is no village in that direction
it is all waste and barren; there are no
paths, either The hill folk talk Ike you
OF thingsN that it is Ill to see. They are
towards NBut say that bushes take
wonderful shapes; and sometimes they
move in the wiIsI"
It sounded az satire, and Moung Ko
was a clever diplomatist. Hehad nearly
persuaded me that was the victim of a
delusion. A man recovering from a
swoon may easily be cheated by shad-
ows. l let the subject drop. 1t occurred
to me later that Moung 10 was relieved
to find that did not insist on the reality
of the experience.
had fallen into capital hands. If a
tie of kinship OF creed had existed, !
could rot have been better cared for
And at the end of week l was able to
move gingerly about with crutch. My
host now suggested migration to zyat
or hostelry for travellers, hard by his
pagoda. in village of the lower plateau.
was perfectly willing to move. 1t
would give me opportunities for becOm-
ing acquainted with the inhabitants Of
the district and with local customs and
characteristics that were hitherto only
matters Of hearsay.
The man who had laid me under so
great an obligation was more and more
marvel and a mystery. His life, as
gradually disclosed. seemed full Of con-
tradictions 1t was abundantly clear
that he was held in extreme reverence by
the brethren of his order as well as by
the villagers But, with innate skepti-
cisln, declined to think that there was
anything in his common fame as a seer
Still, he accepted the homage, and it was
equally hard to believe him an impostor.
Your vulgar trickster does not devote
himself to the wants OF a poor and print
tive people as Aioung 10 did. Without
fee or reward. he was always at their
service. He was strict-none more so, l
learned-in fulfillment of the ritual OF
the pagoda. Yet, by the law, binding
on phoonghies, he could possess no per
sonal property; and l had seen what |
had seen Perhaps fingered In the dis
trict longer than should otherwise have
done because wanted to fit an answer
to my enigma.
Tragic circumstances supplied it. The
tribesnen Of Upper Anapoora were tur-
bulen5 and headstrong, and it was one
of Moung Kos most difficult and delicate
tasks to maintain peace.
''There has always been a strife be-
tween mountain and plain. Two races
touch in these hills, he said. THE feud
will break out afresh one day in spite of
me. Yes, and soon. have heard the
sound of the dismal wind--of the war
wind-sighing in the air where no forest