Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-05-22

made her look down into the chasm. Tt
was filled with a CHASTITY phosphorescent
glow, and by this terrifying light she
saw two great shapes which pursued
each other, first running backward into
remote recesses, and then laundering
down again, while the noise of their
tread shook the mountain and mingled
with the moaning and the rush of
water. Her head swan round, and for
moment she lost consciousness. Then
she perceived that her companion was
bearing her swiftly away. He plunged
in through the darkness, as she thought,
with incredible speed. Was he taking
her to the abodes of other monsters
more horrible than those which she had
seen? She had not the strength to cry
out or to make any resistance. At
length it seemed that they climbed in
Vulnerable steps, then a light broke
round her, and to her JOY she found that
they had come out upon the top of the
great precipice.
The fresh air revived her, and she
gazed with delight upon the broad ex-
panse of the ocean before her. Ii Xii
placed her in reclining position and
breathless with his exertions.
The sight of the giants was too much
for YOU he said We'll, will tell you
what they are. There is nothing so
frightful about them after all. They
are two great rocks which have been
made round by constant rolling about in
that wonderful chamber where they
live. The waves are forced in through
a crevice and strike upon the rocks
with the force of waterSpOut, driving
them up the inclined floor of the cham
Der. When the water subsidies they roll
down again, only to be driven back by
the next wave. a fearful sound they
make, | admit. and it is enough to keep
the common people out of the cave,
although the cause of it is well known.
Still, the superstitious will have it that
demons haunt the place.
Il discovered the passages through
which | have led you when | was
little boy l don't think all of them are
known to many. Often after a storm |
go down upon tho rocks to see the
waves and look for . wreck. 1t was
thus that happened to meet you, which
is a great pleasure to me and not alto
gether unimportant 20 yourself, for, as
there is no other way from the rocks to
the hauntS of men. you might have had
to go hungry today, unless, indeed, you
had found your own way through the
cave"
That I could never have done said
Sho Mai, ard she expressed her thanks
in words that came from her heart.
Let us not speak of it any more"
said Ii Xii. Come, if you are rested,
and | will show you the home of my
father, Ii Nucn Wy
The fresh breeze and the beauty of
the daylight. SO chcerfully contrasting
with the darkness OF the cave. revived
Sho Mai. and She followed her guide
with nimble steps. They passed through
pleasant fields. and before their eyes
beautiful prospect was extended. They
saw the city of Teng Chow set high upon
the hills. and the walls Of q great tenn
pie. wherein for thirty centuries and
more the image of the mighty god, Chun
Wong, has claimed the alteration of the
people. They reached at length small
dwelling, set in a garden. and there in
the door stood pretty Ii kean, the
daughter of Ii Yucn Wy, to welcome
them. Her brothers long absence had
made her somewhat anxious about him,
and she greeted him with every token
of sistcrly affection, while she looked
out of the corners of her handsome eyes
at the strange youth who had come to
be their guest.
Passing within, Sho Mai vas brought
into the presence of Ii Iuen Wy. \
venerable old man he was, whose broad,
high brow and intelligent eyes pro
claimed him q thoughtful student of
books and of men. 4 word from Ii Xii
explained Sho Mails coming, and the
scholar greeted her with cheerful hospi-
tality. Food was placed before them,
and deft-handcd Ii kean was cup-bearer
Afterwards a chamber was prepared for
Sho Mai. and in this quiet refuge the
tired maiden slept, almost without 4
moments wakefulness, until the follow
ing morning.