Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-08-28
dagger ready to strike our Master at the

raj shout of 'Let him be arrested"
Tche-Tang stretched towards Tse-i-la
his jewelled sceptre, and said, impass-
lively: Continue.
Quite unconcernedly, and moving, as
he spoke, his little fan of ebony, Tse-i-la
went on:
''If any torture could induce Tse-i-la to
betray this secret by revealing it to any
other than his Sovereign, | will affirm
/ that the Poussahs who, though invisible.
hear our every word, have ill-chosen
their interpreter. No, Princes, am not
drunk with opium, my looks surely deny
that am mad. and | have no weapon
about me. This, only, will add. If |
am content to run the risk of the Slow
Death it is because / am convinced that
such secret will gain the reward of
which it is worthy. You alone, oh !
Highness, shall decide whether deserve
the price l ask. The gods having made
me noble by their inspiration you shall
grant me your daughter, the beautiful
Li-tien-Se, the insignia of a prince of
mandarins, and fifty thousand hangs of
gold.n
As he pronounced the words '1iangs of
gold, an almost imperceptible flush rose
to Tse-i-la's cheek, which he concealed by
movement of his fan.
The exorbitance of the demand pro-
voked much laughter among the courtiers
and aroused the wrath of the viceroy.
whose pride and avariee rose up in sudden
revolt. A cruel smile passed over his lips
as he gazed at the young man, who
boldly continued:
81 await from you, Lord. your royal
oath, in the name of Fo, the avenger of
perjury, that, according as you may find
my secret a substantial truth or a chimer-
ical idea, you will grant me either the re-
ward ask or such form of death as may
seem good in your eyes"
e-Tang arose
''The oath is given, y he said; "follow
me-"
Some moments later, in a gloomy vault
lighted by the dim rays of single lamp,
Tse-i-la, securely bound to stake, was
face to face with Tche-Tang, who stood
some PAGES from him The viceroy was
alone, his back towards heavy iron door, (
his right hand resting on a carved dra-
CONS head which projected from the
wall, and whose single eye seemed to be
watching Tse-i-la. The bright green Of
Tche- Tangs robe came out in strong
relief against the dark background. the
light, though dim, was reflected a thou
sand times from his collar of precious
stones, but his face, catching the shadow
of the lamp, was almost invisible In
this vault far underground, they were Sc
cure from istenino oars
"Speak on, - sold Tche-Tang.
''Sire, / am a disciple OF the famous
poet Li-tai-pe. As the gods have gifted
you with power, so have they bestowed
genius upon me; true, they have in my
case added poverty but only as a means Of
luickening my intellect. Ihave thanked
hem daily for so many favors, and have
lived peaceful and contented life, until
lne evening, through the silyery moon
light, | espied upon the lofty terrace
IF this palace, your daughter. Li-tien- Sc.
Since that night my studies have been
neglected, and as for her, | have an
inward feeling that she too has felt the
iawning of passion. Wearied with
onging, preferring rather the most fright
al death to the torment of living without
ler / determined by some heroic act
md with subtlety which is almost
iiyine, to raise myself, o, Majesty, to the {
eyel of your daughter, Li-tien Seq
Tche-Tang, doubtless by some sudden
movement Of Impotence, pressed his hand
ieavily upon the dragons eve. A double {
loor, facing Tse-i-la, parted and rolled
ilently back, exposing to his sight the
Interior Of another dungeon. Three men, /
lothed in skins, stood motionless around
brasier in which were heating the i'm S
dement's Of torture. From the roof a S
hick silken cord hung down, and below ]
glistened a small and round steel cage,
nth single circular opening.
Tse-i-la, as he well knew, was looking
pom the awful machinery Of the Terrible
Death.
After being exposed to excruciating l
orture bT fire, the victim, with one |
'rist tied by the silken cord, was sus- S
ended in the air, the other hand. extern a
ed behind his back, was bound to the 9
Dot of the opposite leg. The cage was c
hen placed around his head, fastened t
scurely to the shoulders, and two large c
nd famished rats were placed inside il. a
he executioner then gave a swinging Q
lotion to the unfortunate wretch, and
'ft him alone, save for the CHASTITY com
anions of the cage, and in utter dark $
ess. Ii
At the sight of this horror, which {
light move the strongest man, Tse-i-la o
nd, coldly, "You forget that no one, n
I'VE yourself, was to hear what have to c
~" +,
The doors were closed again. IL
"Your secret ~ muttered Tche- Tang. G
'My secret. Tyrantl 1t is this: that a
y death will bring about your own, Il
lis very night' said Tse-i-la, a fierce rt
ght in his eyes. 'sAIy death Do you ii
IT understand that it is for that alone
lose whom we left above are longing
ill it not prove the emptiness of my
'omises How they will gloat, and
vel in their murderous hearts over your
credulityl viii it not be Il
&c signal for your DOWNFALL Embold- W
led by your disappointment, seeing i'm n,
unity before them, why longer restrain D,
cir bitter hatred Summon your exc r
lfiOnare I cball ba avorcrr'I D,,4