The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-14
CHAPTER /.
WHAT THE G WAS.

WHAT IHE bEChEI WASs
It was night, and over the vast level plain
which surrounds the Persian CITY of Hama
dan n deep silence reiQned, broken only by
the occasional howl of some proving wolf
or jackal. Not far from the spot which is
conssorated by the famous tomb of Esther
and Hordecai q striking figure stood gazing
earnestly, and indeed reverently. ut the
bright moon, which WAS now high in the
heavens.
II was that OF a man, evidently of ex-
ceeding great age. though his tall figure
was az erect as that of any youth, and from
under his bushy eyebrows a pair of deep
set piercing eyes shone with a brightness
which denoted exceeding vitality of mind.
He was clothed In a long, flowing garment
of snowy white material, matching in color
the long, thick beard which fell far
below his waist. His head was covered
with a turban of the same spotless white
ness as his robe. The general aspect of the
old man was majestic. if only from its sim
plicity. Save where the eastern sun had
tanned his face his skin was wonderfully
pale and clear, and HIS perfectly formed
hands, almost transparent in their deli
cacy, could scarcely be distinguished from
Dig WAlLc AOlu6 "a Alh ADW4AS GOWHs
It was the FIR -worshipper Goucha Niohin,
last of q family of priests of Zoroaster.
Presently, after a profound obeisance to
the moon, he turned, and, thrustinc aside
the green shrubbery. which concealed the
opening to a cave, entered the grotto which
was his dwelling place. 1t was of very
large ~dimensions. especially at the further
end. whore the hillook in whose
side it lay had been followed
out SO as to form an extensive
dome. In the center OF the grotto a fire
was burning in a massive copper chatting
dish, giving the atmosphere a pleasant
warmth. The ground was covered with
thick Persian rugs. on which were scattered
here and there piles of richly-hued cush-
ions. Vases Of tin or copper, whose skllful
workmanship rendered them more valuable
than gold or silver, lamps Of antique form,
and carved furniture of strange and artistic
design, gave to the place IN air of luxury
strangely in contrast with the scientific
contents of one corne Of the chamber.
Here were gathered together astrological
instruments of every sort; astrolobes, re-
toits, ,prisms OF every size and shape;
large books Of papyrus, whose turned
down edges showed their great an
tiquity, were scattered around a pile of
cushions from which 1t was evident the old
philosopher had but lately risen. OF all
the strange sights the grotto contained.
however, none would have been more puz-
zling to one not versed in the tenets of the
fire worshipper's religion, than that of two
lamps which hung from the roof of the
c~avern's furthest end. Their lames burnt
with a bright green fame and the lamps
some strange and hidden agency. Stretched
on the ground lay a magnificent panther,
its skin of perfect whiteness save for its
zebra-like stripes of jet black color. At the
old mans entrance, the beast rose to its
feet, ran to its master and fawned upon
him in the same fashion as a faithful dog
might have done. So.
The only other occupant Of the cavern
WAS a young girl of wonderful beauty. Her
figure was thin and supple, her every move.
ment one of grace and naturalness. She
was clothed in a long and soft white tune.
Around her arms, at the wrist and above
the elbow, were bracelets of most exquisite
ly chased copper. Her silken hair, of bright
golden color, fell almost to her feet in
plaits, braided with silver sequins. Con-
trary to the custom of Persian women, she
wore no veil to hide the perfect features
and marvellous blue eyes of her lovely face.
She had evidently been at work upon
some parchment manuscript which she now
laid down to greet the old man, her grand
father.
Leila" he said in a grave tone, seating
himself upon a pile of cushions, ''lay Town
your writing for a time. | have something
to say to you."
O~bediently at once the girl arose and
crossing to where her grandfather sat seat
ed herself at his feet with a look of affcc-
tion and respect upon her face.
MY daughter" said the old man, after q
few moments pause, "the time has come
when | must condde TO you the gravest Sc
cret of our family. You ure now at an sge
when | can trust you and the education /
have done my very best to give you makes
up to some extent perhaps for tho want of
strength and mind with which nature has
gifted yonr sex. You. however, are not to.
blame for having been born q woman. 1t
is Il misfortune, that is ALL"
"Grandfather," said Leila, shave / not
always tried m! best to replace the son you
'"Fried?" repeated the fre-worshipper,
''Tried? Yes, but of what use is trying?
You could not replace a son, do what you
might. You are a woman, and-but, as l
have said il is useless for me to complain
or to blame you. l must submit to the ill
evitable decree, cruel as it may seem, of the
divine Mithra! But now it is time that YOU
should know something of the responsible
tiles which have been laid upon your weak
woman's shoulders. Know, then, that you
are the last of the most illustrious race
which has ever lived under the sun! les, l
'eISat ItS uAuSf tAe huu,our great Il ituneF, our
God, the source and giver of all good, of
life even! Chosen for the priesthood from
among thousands our family has for count
less ages borne to the feet of the divine
Mithra the alteration of the faithful, and
in return has been entrusted with n knowl-
edge of the secrets reserved for the elect!
Astronomers. philosophers, magioians, pol
i~ticians, historians and men of letters, we
have been possessed since the beginning of
all things, of universal wisdom, and nave
handed down the inestlmubla gift from one
generation to another. For many cyclcs
the followers of Xoroaster were homo ed,
powerful, and revered. Then came dark
times. times of decadeace and persocutiou,
ending almost in ruin. Such, my daughter,
hat been the fate of this august family.
Hated, despised by ali, uniustly ostra-
cised, driven to hide and lark in cuverns,
our enemies have thou hit us con-
queied and have triumphed over
us. They know not, ignorant
and souiless as they are, that we still hold in
our hands II double treasure: on tho one
hand Il science handed down from father to
son, on the other, riches-re islabln. il ia
true. but neceaspry 80 those h build and
destroy empress"
And you, my father, who live in almost
poverty. DENYING yourself mere necessities,
can it be Tint you nre rioh?' interrupted
Leila in SUR rise.
"Tha is what 1 nm about to explain. | am
tho depositnrv of IN immense, countless
treasure, butt Is not vet in my hands. Al
the time of the great scouruo of destiny,
Alexander, son of Juriter, came upon the
vnvlR mad 49, IA A.. -.