Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01

and, handing me the bowl, said: Il am now
called away for some house and will entrust
your friend to you. Keep his bandages wet
and should his fever return give him to
drink of the elixir He paused moment,
laying his hand softly on Chris head.
"'He is noble youth and such as 1
would have coveted for son had the gods
given me one. He has narrowly escaped
death, but will be restored when he wakes.
siHe left the room with this and 1 could
hear his light footsteps echoing through the
house, while I settled myself to watch
Chris with nothing better than my thoughts
10 entertain me- Convinced that the old
fellow was mad. / was even family amused
by his fantastic craze, and when Chris
awoke, as he presently did free from fever,
1 gave him quite laughing account of the
affair NY friend declared himself fully
able to leave the house, but We both felt
reluctance TO depart without thanking our
host, who, mad though he might be, had
earned our gratitude and respect. So We
waited, talking of various commonplace
matters for an hour, when we heard steps in
the hall without and presently old Totlan
entered.
s'His dress waS-such as to make us stare
and rub our eyes, for no Eastern potentate
ever boosted richer garb than he had donned.
L am but a poor hand at describing such
gewgaws, but as near as l could see the
groundwork of the robe itself was of silk
or some such shimmering, softly flowing
texture of rich, deep blue that cloyed to
the eve with its warmth ana beautiful tint,
but this was SO encrusted with gems that
caught the Light and repeated it in a thou
sand dazzling points that but little was vIsl-
BILE Upon the old man feet were jeweled
.l,l- .,f 1-l,ira 1aathpr and pn his head
rested Il diadem Of gold not unlike Bish-
ops mitre. while about his neck and wrists
hung necklaces and bracelets Of the same
metal. with pendants Of jewels and craven
tablets But if his garb was remarkable the
old mans looks were not less SO. His with
cred frame was drawn erect and his eyes
were burning with u curious light that yet
had something OF the sleep-walkers unseelng
haze.
Come, GOMEZ he cried to Chris, who
rose at his bidding as if mesmerized by his
cleaning eyes. The gods have spoken.
They led you to my door this night. Come,
GOMEZ
=" He took no notice of me, but held out
mis- hand TO Chris, who took it. The two
walked to the door without glance at ME,
but l followed alarmed and awed in spite of
mvsclf Chris eyes began to assume a
fixed, unnatural expression, and his whole
figure expressed a sort of passive obedience
10 the man who led him which L cannot
describe. but which terrified me. I ran
forward and caught him by the other hand.
Chris, Chris, where are you going?
Rouse yourself, man. Listen to me!'
''He gazed ut me for moment with some
thing of his usual look, but shook his head.
What harm, old boy? Better crafty the
old fellow And the next moment old
Totlan lad drawn him on, and followed,
resolved to see the farce ont
"Down narrow passage he went until
be came to a wall which he struck with his
bare hand when small door, invisible be-
fore, swung back, and admitted us to
large Yaultet chamLer, from which led an
other passage. so low that we were often
obliged to stoop. That this led downwards
1 soon perceived, and heremy fears, vague,
but powerful. rushed back upon me.
Come back, Chris, for Gods sake? There's
no telling where this mad man is leading
us But l got no answer from either, and
gripping my sword firmly, L followed on.
''How far we went along this passage l
cannot say, but it must have been nearly
hall mile; for we left the hewn stones far
behind. and entered walls of earth, sup
ported by columns or rather piles of rock,
cemented roughly together, but of course
led downward ali the time. Gradually the
gallery grew lighter, and at some distance
L could see lights cleaning, as if in large
compartment. So, somewhat relieved. |
ceased to pull at Chris coat
The light grew stronger every moment
anG at length We paused at the entrance
do0S Of what at once perceived was tenn
pie OF some sort The walls were of caryen
stone, white and highly polished, with here
and there niche in which stood lamp of
the flame was plume set over the brow.
To one side was an altar, also of stone,
though furnished with feet and gildings of
polished gold. About this were ranged
vessels of various sizes and shapes of bur
nished brass.
but while my eyes took in these details 1
they were riveted on an object suspended
directly over the altar. This was an arm or
part Of one, from just above the elbow to
the finger tips, all exquisitely wrought, but |