The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-21

JETMu. his sister, and,
~ indeed, there could
have been no greater contrast than that be-
tween tho stern old patriarch and this
lovely fair-hairsd girl.
Leila, my child, bid welcome to our
guests, of whose coming l ave told YOU"
Tho girl advanced, and with perfect grace
and ease spoke a few words of welcome in
the sweet tones of her oriental tongue.
Another and still more surprising intro
duction was to come. however. The white
panther, which must have been lying in
some corner of the cave. arose. and with
one graceful bound was at the feet of she
group. Catherine could not restrain her.
self from uttering a little cry, and starting
back In pardonable fear, while Maurice
quickly drew his revolver, ready to protect
his sister from the beast.
Fear nothing, young lady" said Goucha-
Eichin quietly. "Animals can recognize
those who are friendly and pure of heart.
My panther will not hurt you. Caress him,
I beg of you, and seal the compact of
friendship between you."
Catherine. though still considerably
frightened, held out a timid hand toward
~ 1Adk11AAl0OAb a. IL Aho
panther, with a movement full of grace,
rose on his hind legs and bent his head
toward the young girls shoulder. Suddenly
relieved from all fear she leant forward
and lightly kissed the forehead of the af.
fectionats creature, who then sank to his
feet and frisksd around as if to bid further
welcome to his masters guests.
The incident, however, and the strange
ness of the spot to which he had brought
his sister and himself, had caused a feeling
of distrust to enter Maurice's mind. Hs
was fast commencing to regret HIS coming,
and especially his sisters presence, and was
about to frame some excuse for returning
to the open air when the tire-worshipper, As
if in answer to his unspokSn thoughts, said:
"Be not impatient, young Feranghl. Inc
business which brings you hither shall be
dealt with when you are rested and have
to exercise the noblest heritage of his
fathers, hospitality toward strangers"
Maurice bowed courteously and the old
man. m%otioning to his guests to seat them
selves upon the luxurious cushions, clapped
his hands together.
TO an inner room was withdrawn and a
handsome lad. whom Leila and her grand
father Addressed as Hassan, entered. In
his hands he bore a bowl of clear. cold
water which he placed before the visitors
that they might rinse their hands. Then,
to each of them, Leila offered one of those
wooden spoons with marvellously carved
handles, which are only seen i'll certain
parts of Persia, and with which they ware
soon enjoying a most delicious conserve of
pomegrnnate, oranges and lemons cooled
by the purest snow from the summit OF
lofty Mount Elvena.
When the travellers had refreshed them
selves Leila seated herself beside Catherine.
whom she regarded with e naive but by no
means unpleasing CT riosity. n before long
the two girls were chatting together and
commencing an acquaintance which was to
ripen into the firmest friendship. The boy,
Hassan, lay at their feet, teasing and play
ing with the panther, who seemed to enjoy
the sport as if he were some gigantic kitten.
The tirs-worshipper had with
drawn with Maurice to another part
in the midst of a long and eager discussion
on the subject in which both, though from
different motives, were equally interested.
After Maurice had again recounted the diff
f~iculties he had met with and the obstacles
which had been placed in his way through
what was evidently the jealousy and schem-
savant, he explained more fully to Goucha-
Nichin the mission which his friends, Lieut..
Guyon and DR.. Hardy had undertaken for
him at the court of Teheran.
His tone, however, did not imply much
confidence in the probable result, and the
old fre-worshipper at last interrupted him.
young man. he said, 81 can read your
real and inner thoughts. You have little
faith in the success of your risnd efforts
with his majesty the shah. You think they
will be as ~fruitless rs your own remon-
STANCES with the governor of Hamadan.
Perhaps ! am of the same opinion, thought
express it not. You would rather that /
counselled resistance against this gov
ernor's tyranny and abuse of his power.
Believe me, if l allowed myself to
follow my own inolinations, it is not
submission that should preach or that |
should practice"-and the old mans eyes
shone for a moment with n strange. fierce
light-"no! but | have learnt, and in a hard
school, that the silence of scorn is the best
shield with which to oppose unjust and
brutal force. What l now advise is this:
Feign acquiescence with the governors Or
ders. Let your friends proceed to Teheran
and further. do you yourself mako believe
that you are bound upon a similar errand.
Ii necessary abandon the work you have
begun. Let the grass grow again upon the
excavations"
"And what Them asked Maurice impa-
tiently.
''Solve the difficulty. as long ages of OPP
preston have taught my race to do. Fight
the enemy with his own weapon; guile ana
deceit! He will not allow you to work by
uhy-tuou Wofh ny ulEut anu seSTeJly. Az
the foot of Mount Elvend there is a shaft
running deep into the bowels of the earth.
1t is the Goul-Hek. and the spot is known
to none save myself. If We extend
the opening according to plans which
/ can furnish, we shall arrive ut
a branch which will lead us to the goal we
both desire. Do you yourself come with me
tonight and explore this Goul-Hek, though
/ warn you it is an enterprise by no means
free from danger"
for that? Tell me, at what hour will you
startf"
"To-night whom the moon has set"
"Agreedr'
$50 be it. At midnight l will meet you
at the foot Of Mount Elvend, near the pillar
which marks tho spot Of some massacre
done long years ago. / shall be there, and
togsther We will descend into Goul-Hek."