Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-10-12
CHAPTER XIV.


,oured a great number of Brahmins,
brothers of the work and priestesses OF
Boyhanie. At the head of these latter
was .Jubbee. She walked directly TO
the little group of yelled figures, and,
bowling before them, asked:
s'What chief Of the terrible work a
made resound the sacred gongs!'
Diella advanced two steps, I'M an
swered:
1T is l."
'Who are you?"
'"The Queen"
Doubtless these words sufficed for
recognition, for Jubbee Frustrated her.
self for her, and lifting the hem OF her
robe, pressed it to her lips.
..What are the wishes of the best
loved daughter of the goddess asked
Jubilee.
sIn the moment Of the completion OF
the holy work begun by u fathers
answered Djella. Il wish to prove to
the chiefs that Bowhanie always pro-
tects her children"
".And this proof?" asked Jubilee.
IION Sllull VIC Give Il " hNiA
I'm showing them that the mysterl-
Gus gifts which constitute our power
have not left the sactuary."
The chief priestess extended hel
hand toward the monument of red
marble, separated from the visitors by
the abyss.
Queen" she said, slowly, as If CIV
ing those who listened time to weigh
her words, 1.-THE sanctuary is there be-
fore our eyes. A gulf encompasses 1t,
ut whose bottom, over sh~arp-pointed
rocks. flow the sacred waters of the
Gauges. Night and day succeed each
other. Our eyes never close. The gifts
committed to our care never will leave
the sanctuary until the day predicted
by our prophets"
''This day-what is itT' questioned
Djella.
THAT on which Bowhanie, for III
dia's glory, will put the veil and ring
upon the a chosen by her to repre-
sent her upon earth"
when will it DAWN
Tomorrow, or in a thousand years.
The goddess alone can say"
THE Priestess Jubilee, we well
know" continued the princess. lis
worthy guardian of this sacred
charge"
II do my duty" answered Jubbee;
"but il is an easy task. Frightful and
inevitable death awaits the sacrilegi-
Gus one who would violate the sanctu-
airy. The yawning abyss is not the
only danger which the pagoda con
ceals."
The others-what are they?"
Jubbee indicated the slab of red mar
BILE which the fakir touched.
IF the foot of the imprudent press
this flag" she continued, the gongs of
alarm sound everywhere. calling us. If
he touch this one.' designating anoth-
er of black marble not far from the
first, ''the ground slips from under him
and he glldes into The abyss. The 9th
er conceals the poisoned blades. Ev-
erywhere dire punishment, almost pre-
venting the thought of crime, and rem
dtring its accomplishment impossible,
'Imposs!blet'' murmured DieEla.
"1es-it is true. Oh. the relics are
well guarded" repeated the priestess.
enthusiastically. India may sleep in
peace under the shield of its tails
Iaans.'
Let the priestess of Bowhanie show
us the sacred arsenal" said Djella. af.
ter q minutes pause.
The queen so orders?'
Eyes"
Il am ready"
"We wait"
ON the edge of the abyss was a stat
ue of black marble-some Hindoo di-
ylnity-representing a strange animal.
having three heads Of a dog on he
body OF a horse. Jubilee took one of
these heads, the middle one, and slow
~ turned 1t about. At the same time
q Brahmin, obeying a sign, touched the
spring hidden at the base of the statue
The effect was instantaneous. The
grating surrounding the
opened without producing the slight.
est noise. The bronze door lowered it.
sell, and formed a suspended bridge
v the gulf.
JuDbee, with a firm step, crossed the
bridge, and reached the monument
whose entrance was hidden by a sec
II interior door. She turned.
PROSTATE yourselves!v she COM
manded. I'm the name of the god
dess. PROSTATE yourselves"
All the witnesses of this scene fen
upon their knees. Jubilee then touched
a spring. The second door flew omen
anu the interior of the sanctuarv an
peared, illuminated by a warm and
singular splendor.
In its center, on a pedestal of rosa
granite, repcsed the statue of Rowhon-
ie' entirely concealed by the folds of q
ven n color of fire aud starred IN
figures Of gold.
Silence profound and absolute reipna1
IN the temple. Naught could he baarS
save half-drawn breathings and hear.
Ing hearts. Superstitious terror seized
upon all. ~
Della was the first to lift her head
AT sight Of the resplendent sanctuary
an enthusiastic exclamation escopcd
her lips. pcu
BROTHERS of the sacred work {, !
said see! The veil Of the goddess ,s
our Palladium ' -
Children Of Bowhanier exhortad
the chief ~priestess, 'the chosen ~ tha
goddess alone may touch this veil WITH
out instant humiliation. Beneath a.
glitters the ring. The talismana have
been we'll guarded. You NAV hac,r