Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-03-04


4 TX face, high, uncurl-
& a ing tail, and arm
- % raised to throw,
bespoke the mon
key god, the ancestor of the four
banded creatures that swarmed in the
surrounding forests.
The spot was well chosen. Down
wards from the very threshold of the
shrine ran a rough ghaut road, which,
having traversed the higher plateaux,
descended in precipitous zigzags and
dizzy curves to the plains, and ended
far to the south at the very rock whence
Hanuman made his famous leap to Lam
kar.
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,
a couple from the adjacent shooting
camp fingered on a aforementioned
rock just overlooking the western
plains
They evidently enjoyed each others
society SO much as to be obliyious 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, a for
midable cloud had, quite unnoticed,
worked its way round behind, and from
that quarter threatened an immediate
deluge.
A huge drop of rain spiashing on
the rock close by, and an ominous
scugh among the tree-tops, first drew
their attention to what was coming.
Both sprang up.
I'VE shall be wet through before we
reach the tents!" cried the girl.
I'VE must run for it 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
dozen yards before it was upon them. A
binding flash descended at their feet,
while the thunder rent the warm air
overhead, and cIattered away among
the chasms of the hills in reverberating
echoes. The pine trees tossed their
boughs aloft in frantic glee. The whirl-
wind howled and whistled round their
grooming trunks, driving before it the
hail, which ratified 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 a Titanic chorus of ma
ture.
In the midst of the hubbub two awe
stricken mortaIs sought such shelter
as the dilapidated temple afforded 1t
was not until after an hour that the
sun shone again, and a sadly-drenched
youth and maiden stepped out on to the
row sweet-smelling earth.
Thank heaven that's overl" ex-
claimed the latter, petulantly. "Inever
was so frightened or so soaked in all
my life. feel as if I'd been dragged
through a pond. What ridiculous
place to bring me tot" and she glanced
contemptuously at Hanuman. Hold
my hat a moment while l wiring myself
out Oh, put it anywhere! Hang it on
the idol"
Capt. Passmore replied, laughing:
"Ee'll take it as an offering if do. This
is a place where the Hindu women pray
to Seeta not to be separated from their
lovers"
what rubbish you talkl There, let
me 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
that odious grass widow you're so fond
of. l wouldn't have come into camp at
all if I'd known l was to play second
fiddle to her."
How can you say that? You know
i 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 get
back, or 1 shall catch my death of cold.
You had better stop and pray to that
hideous beast there to keep the grass
widow constant to you.
AT dinner the party in camp was as
merrt as usual. The guests, however.
were surprised to see that the engaged
couple did not sit together, and it was
noticed that, while the captains gayety
was unaffected, that of the heircss was
somewhat forced. Both had to stand
good deal of chaff, the host vowing they
had resorted to The famous temple OH
purpose to secure the gods warrant
against quarreling. Miss Vane red
dened. II wouldn't condescend to such
O pagan device for any mani" she ex-
claimed, hotly.
by the way, hear you hung your
hat on the monkeys snout."
Il suppose Capt. Passmore volun-
teered that piece of information. What
If l did?'
.'Oh, nothing. Only it's great liber-
" to take. and Hanuman will avenge
himself, of course"
~ have no patience with your absurd
superstitions. I know my clothes were
utterly destroyed.
An hours contemplation of her
fnancee's apparent satisfaction under
the widows destinations had probably |
made Miss vane's head ache. for, rising |
from her seat. she declared her inten- !