Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-03-26

wards from the very threshold of the
shrine ran rough ghaut road, which,
having traversed the higher plateaux,
descended in precipitous zigzags and
uizzy curves to the plains, and ended
far to the south at the very rock whence
Hauulnan made his famous leap to Ian
kur.
1t was the end OF summer on the Blue
mountains. Though the rains were
late and the afternoon sun declining
like ball Of fire behind heavy clouds,
couple from the adjacent shooting
camp fingered on ichen-cushioned
rock just overlooking the western
plains.
They evidently enjoyed each Others
society so much as to be obivious of a
phenomenon frequently observable in
india at the beginning of the monsoon;
while before them the sky as far as the
banked-up horizon was serene, for
midable cloud had, quite unuoticed,
worked its way round behind, and from
that quarter threatened IN immediate
deluge.
A huge drop Of rain splashing on
the rock close by, and an ominous
scugh among the tree-tops, first drew
their attention to what was coming.
Both sprang up.
4 I'VE shall be wet through before we
reach the tents!" cried the girl.
I'VE must run for 1t to the temple"
agreed her companion.
There was no time to be lost. The in
tense stiffness, broken only by the rust
ling OF the pine needles, presaged vio-
lent storm, and they had not gone n
dozen yards before twas upon them. A
binding flash descended at their feet,
while the thunder rent the warm air
overhead, and clattered away among
the chasms of the hills in reverberating
echoes. The pine trees tossed their
houghs aloft in frantic glee. The whirl-
wind howled and whistled round their
groaning trunks, driving before It the
hail, which rnttled against bark and
leaf like volleys of small shot. The
lightning was interminable, flash fol-
lowing flash so quickly as to give the
Impression of the forest being on fire,
while the unceasing roll of the thunder
accompanied Titanic chorus Of ma
e tura.
In the midst of the hubbub two awe
stricken mortals sought such shelter
as the dilapidated temple afforded 1t
was not until after an hour that the
sun shone again, and sadly-drenched
Il youth and maiden stepped out on to the
Eow sweet-smelling earth.
n THANK heaven that's overl" ex-
claimed the latter, petulantly. "Inever
was so frightened or so soaked In oil
my life. l feel as II I'd been dragged
through pond. What n ridiculous
place to bring me toll" and she glanced
contemptuously at Hanuman. Hold
my hat moment while wiring myself
out. Oh, put it anywhere! Hang it on
the idol"
Capt. Passmore replied, laughing:
Hell take it as an offering II do. This
| is place where the Hindu women pray
to Seeta not to be separated from their
( lovers"
"Whnt rubbish you talkl There, let
Inc do IT," and as she spoke she hooked
her ruined headgear on to the out
stretched hand of the image.
( "What an object must look! I'm GER
tain the first person to meet us will be
1 that odious grass widow you're so fond
| of. l wouldn't have come into camp al
all il I'd known was to play second
| fiddle to her."
"How can you say that? You know
| don't care bit for her,"
IF you cared for me, really, you
| wouldn't have got me into this pickle
| Give me my poor hat and let me gel
back, or shall catch my death of cold
You had better stop and pray TO thai
hideous beast there to keep the grasi
widow constant to you.'
At dinner the party in camp was as
merry as usual The guests, however
were surprised 10 see that the engage,
| couple did not sit together, and it was
| noticed that, while the captains gayetl
was unaffected, that of the heiress wa!
somewhat forced. Both had to stand :
good deal of chaff, the host vowing they
had resorted TO the famous temple oil
nurnose to secure the gods warran
against quarreling. Miss Vane red
Jened. II wouldn't condescend to sucl
pagan device for any mani" she ex
claimed, hotly.
.py the way, hear you hung YOU
hat on the monkeys snout.
II suppose Capt. passmore voiun
teered that piece Of information. VIVA
n did% -,
i "oh, nothing. Only it's great liber
/ ty to take, and Hanuii'ah "'' "'e"s'
l himself, of course"
81 have no patience with your absur'
h .,,,srstitions, know my clothes wer
\ utterly destroyed. =
III An hours contemplation OF ne
III anancee's apparent satisfaction dnde
the Widows destinations hao prooao
made Miss vane's head acne, ior' ils'nl
sro,n her seat she declared her inten
tion Of going to bed. With her depa'
49,. ,te other members OF Inc part
@ sa,oot Themselves to cards, fiirtatio
'c ~ cigars. Capt. Passmore cleaned hi
III guns. .,h., n noise wa
hoard nj a distance US o1 the oarhin
~ many dogs; and the hurrying 2
enimals through the under
heavy crested everyhody's after
tiop. - possmore. wh
~
be ali over the camp IN mo,Iea,' a.Iar y
shouted Il tho host "ost SUCK -