Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-08-21


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 prince OF
mandarins, and fifty thousand liangs OF
gold"
AS he pronounced the words "liangs Of
gold, an almost imperceptible flush rose
to Tse-i-la's cheek, which he concealed by
a 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 avarice 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 substantial truth or chimer-
ical idea, you will grant me either the re-
ward l ask or such form of death as may
seem good in your eyes"
Tche-Tang arose.
"The oath is given, he said; "follow
me-"
Some moments later, in gloomy vault
lighted by the dim rays of a 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- Tang's 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 listening ears.
"Speak on, sold Tche-T Tang.
"Sire, l am 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 means of
quickening my intellect. have thanked
them daily for so many favors, and have
lived peaceful and contented life, until
one evening, through the silvery moon
light, l espied upon the lofty terrace
of this palace, your daughter Li-tien-Se.
Since that night my studies have been
neglected, and as for her, l have an
inward feeling that she too has felt the
dawning of q passion. Wearied with
longing, preferring rather the most fright
full death to the torment of living without
her, I determined by some heroic act,
and with a subtlety which is almost
divine, to raise myself, o, Majesty, to the
level of your daughter, Li-tien Sep
Tche-Tang, doubtless by some sudden
movement of impatience, pressed his hand
heavily upon the dragons eye. A double
door, facing Tse-i-la, parted and rolled
silently back, exposing to his sight the
interior of another dungeon. Three men,
clothed in skins, stood motionless around
a brasier in which were heating the i'm
plements of torture. From the roof a
thick silken cord hung down, and below
! it glistened a small and round steel cage
with single circular opening.
Tse-i-la, as he well knew, was looking
upon the awful machinery of the Terrible
Death.
After being exposed to excruciating
torture b1 fire, the victim, with one
wrist tied by the silken cord, was sus-
pended in the air, the other hand eXten-
ded behind his back, was bound to the
foot of the opposite leg. The cage was
then placed around his head, fastened
securely to the shoulders, and two large
and famished rats were placed inside it.
| The executioner then gave swinging
motion to the unfortunate wretch, and
left him alone, save for the ghastly COM
| ,NaniOno Of fho -, l.
ness.
AT the sight of this horror, which
might move the strongest man, Tse-i-li
said, coldly, "You forget that no one
save yourself, was to hear what have t.
say"
The doors were closed again.
"Your secret ?" muttered Tche-Tang
'NIy secret, Tyrant! 1t is this: tina
my death will bring about your own
this very night" said Tse-i-la, fierce
light in his eyes. "My death Do yor
not understand that it is for that alone
those whom we left above are longing
Will it not prove the emptiness of m,
: promises How they will gloat, ant
, revel in their murderous hearts over you
disappointed credulity! Will it not b
the signal for your downfall Embold
ened by your disappointment, seeing i'm
punity before them, why longer restrain
their bitter hatred Summon your exc
cutioners | shall be avenged Blu
this | know: that you already feel that
perish, your own life is only matter O
few hours, and that your childre
strangled, according to the custom of ou
people, will quickly follow you; and
and Li-tien-Se, your daughter the fowe
of flowers will become the prey of you
assassins.
'Ah, if you were but wise prince
Supposing, on the other hand that yor
were at once to return to them, bearing
on your face the signs of mysterious and
all-powerful knowledge, surrounded by
your body guard, and your hand upon my
shoulder; that seated on your throne and
having with your own hand clothed me
in princes robes, you were to summon
the sweet Li-tien- -Se-your daughter and
my bride-and that having formally be-
trothed us, you should order your State
Treasurer to count out to me the fifty
thousand golden liangs; swear that, be-
holding this, all of your courtiers whose
daggers are now half-drawn against you,
would fall at your feet, trembling and
subdued. Never again, in all the future,
would they dare to harbor a single
treacherous thought. Think upon this
You are known as one whom it is hard to
move well versed in Oriental lore and
mysteries. Surely then, it can be no
mere empty fable that, within few mo-
ments' space, could change your whole
appearance into that of one who has