Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-18

clear, but there was no moon. A
beautiful planet, however, bright
enough 10 cast a shsdow, hung in the
southwestern sky, and It's mysterious
Hight touched Mirism's face, and cast a
dim reotanQle OF radiance on the white
mating that carpetcd the floor Of her
room. It was the planet Venus,
star OF love. Miriam thought II would
be pleasant place TO live in. But one
need not journey to Venus to find a
world where love is the ruling passion.
Circumstances over which she has no
control may cause such a world 10 come
into existence In girls heart.
She left the window at last, and got
into bed, where she soon presented an
image Of perfect repose. Meanwhile,
in a dark corner Of the courtyard al
the rear, dark, pyramidal object
abode without motion. It might have
been taken for heap Of blankets piled
up there. But II you examined it more
narrowly you would have detected in
it IN vague outlines Of human figure,
squatting on Its launches, with Its
head resting on its knees, and its arms
clasped around them, somewhat as
figures sit in Egyptian hieroglyphics,
or like Aztecnn mummies In the tomb
So still WAS IL, 1t might itself have been
n mummy. But ever and anon blink
ing of the narrow eyes In the bronze
eountenance told that it was no MUM
my, but living creature. In
fact, it was none other than
the aged and austere Kamaiakan, who,
for reasons best known to himself,
chose TO spend the hours usually de-
voted TO rest in an attitude that no
European or white American could
have maintained with comfort longer
than Ave minutes.
An hour-two hours-passed away.
Then MAMMALIAN noiselessly arose,
peered about him cautiously for few
moments, and passed out OF the court
yard through the open gate. He turned
to the left, and, stealing beneath Miri-
ANS windows, paused there for an in
slant and made certain gestures with his
arms Anon he continued his way to
the garden, and was soon concealed by
Jne thck hhrubuury.
History requires us TO follow him.
The garden extended westward, and
was quite spacious enclosure; one not
familiar with it's winding paths might
easily lose himself there on dark
night. But Kamaiakan knew where
he was going, and the way thither. He
now stnlked along more swiftly, taking
one turn after another, brushing aside
the low-hanginR boughs, and passing
the loveliest flowers without glance.
He WAS as one preoccupied with mo-
mentous business. Presently he ar
rived at small open space, remote and
secluded. TWAS completely surrounded
by tall shrubbery. In the center was
a basin OF stone, evidently very ancient,
filed TO the brim with the clear water
Of a spring, which dubbed up from the
bottom, and, overlooking by way of a
gap in the edge, became n small rivulet,
which stole away In the direction of
the sea. Across the slightly undulat-
ing surface of the basin trembled the
radiance OF the star.
Kamaialtan lJnelt down beside 1t,
and, bending over, gazed intently into
the water. Presently he dipped his
hands in II, and sprinlSled shining
drops over his own gaunt person, and
over the ground in the vicinity of the
spring He made strong movements
with his arms, bowed his head and
erected ii again, and traced curious
figures on the ground with his finger.
1t appeared as II the venerable Indian
had solemnly lost his senses and had
sought out this lonely spot TO indulge
the vagaries OF his insanity. II SO, his
silence and deliberatiou afforded an
example worthy Of consideration by
other lunutics
suddenly he ceased his performance,
and held himself in a listening attitude.
a light measured sound was audible,
accompanied by the rustling of leaves.
1t came nearer. There was glimpse