The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-26

)\W his thoughts. He had
~ ,M inspired them all,
even his young grand
w daughter, with pity
mixed with some degree of fear. Even
Maurice, enthusiastic Archaeological as he
was, was beginning to regret the chance
that had brought 80 much grief and misery.
Even the voluble Gargaridi for once was
silent.
At last the fre-worshipper raised his head
and fixed his burning eyes on Maurice.
His face expressed an implacable resolution
Joined to a very human sorrow. The suf-
fsrinRs of the last few days had still further
refned his ascetic features, and the strange
look which he cast upon her brother seemed
to freeze Catherine's heart. Involuntarily
here clasp tightened upon Leila's fingers,
whose hand she held, and who was herself
terrified by her grandfather's look.
Goucha-Nichin rose to his feet, and, ex-
tending one arm toward Maurice, COM
menosd in a low tone:
"Listen, young Feranghi!
"You have entered here in spite Of my re-
monstranees. You, an impure stranger,
have dared to penetrate the s~anctity conse-
Grated by the worship of ages. It's every
turning you have explored. You have
brought your prorsne curiosity into the
holy place and with the aid of your vain
science, have sought to discover its system
and philosophy.
"Mithra DO praised! you have not sue
ceeded.
disappointed in your efforts, batied IN
your search. deprived of liQht and air and
life.
II was resolved to punish you. and to
punish myself, the guardian and betrayer
of the secret woulu have died with you
at the bottom Of this sepulcher.
"But Mithra has decseed otherwise.
Through his powerful will this young girl,
the last hope of my race, upon whose limo
cent head rests the burden of SO great an
honor, she has penetrated here. With his
W hand Destiny led her to US, and when
I heard her voice and step beneath these
vaults / felt that the honor of my race was
furnished. My heart withered within my
breast, for l, high priest, knew what had
taken place. Yes, to save this young girl,
this last flower upon my family's tree, l am
about to commit an outrageous deed. l am
going to allow the infdels to pass out from
this holy place!'
Maurice was about to speak when the fire.
worshipper stopped him with an imperious
gesture.
Wait, do not rejoice yet, stranger. am
about to release You, your sister and your
wa - Ny ciSNSA Why hoSO S"A
upon these mysteries, shall once more see
the light of day. You shall regain the
earth, and doubtless once more carry on
your impious investigations-but upon one
condition only!
'"This condition 1 could impose without
first submitting it to you, but since l have
learned from this child that YOU are of our
origin, | have some slight ntf ,ction for YOU
in my heart. It is for this reason that /
give you the choice of your fate.
skNpy, will l,ou, How, ,y,tl ,,.,n ..Az ,,
your servant-you will leave here. l say, on
one condition.:
you must first submit to a at
my hands which will cause you to lose your
memory!
ION this one condition you can escape
from n slow and terrible death; you Will
save your SISTERS life, and | shall once more
restore to the Light of day the child who in
herits the Glories of my race!
'l)eclde!' he concluded in a solemn voice;
shut first reflect! Once made, your answer
will be irreyucable!n
Again he Frustrated himself upon the al
tar steps, and Maurice, walking away some
PAGES with his sister, signed to Gargaridi to
join them.
What do you think OF this proposition,
Catherlne!' he asked in a low tone, Docs
1t not saem like some impostNrs on the part
of this unfortunate old man? Need we put
much faith In his threat of making us lose
our memory? What can he mean by it?'
Il think that Leila's coming suggested
the idea to him. He is unwilling to cause
the death of his own child. But still he
will not own to us that he wishes to relent,
and he talks of destroying our memory as a
sort of self-excuse. OF one thing ] am
quite sure, that in any case we should be
silent and not reveal his secret to q soul, if
only out of consideration for him, poor
man,
such a generous thought is worthy of
you, dear. Then your advice is that we
submit TO this ceremony?'
of escape"
III VIC remain here much longer" put in
Gargaridi respectfully. I'VE are likely to
lose nomething more precious than memory
life. And for my part. provided | can
once more find what our old friend here
calls the light of Mithra' | care little for
tho loss of memory. have a prodigious
one, 1t is true, but | can not see that it has
ever done much for me- he concluded with
a shIug Of his shoulders.
Very well, then" said Maurice "the die
is cast!'
He approached the altar.
"Goucha- Nichin,' he said. "We accept
the condition you impose. But let me ask
you exactly what you mean by loss of mem
DRY. Tho gueber's features paled and con-
tractod. while n sudden light cleaned from
hlH sunken eyes.
"Be not alarmed, Feranghi." he said, with
a strange look. Enough memory will re-
main to yon-for all that yon require. But
never, oh Mithra! never must mortal saw
thine own priest. Know the secret of thy
sanctuary! You will lose all recollection.
young man, of what has passed since we
descended Goul-Hek; you will even forget
the position of the we'll. The hours which
have passed since the fatal one when l led
you thither will be- an absolute and perfect
blank"
"Gueber," said Maurice grimly, I'VE nc
cept. l have spoken. | can no longer bear
to SOC my sister and your noble daughter
buried in this tomb. Save them! But re-
member my first offer. IL il will suffice. /
Will remain here alone! Willingly would |
sacrifice my own life II 1t might TO II ran
som for theirs!"
The tre-worshipper made n fierce gesture