Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-10-08

SoPy1k6ntS IySS, ~ Sutcuue f1yn0s I'LL
ing 600 men, and set them as tie CAP
stones Of onr great pyramids. But
to vpraar tho stones OF that great
carels would be beyond all our art,
and much more would u be hnpos-
sibls to-day 10 transport them from
their dktant quayrfes ACROSS che yue-
gid mou1talns.
There wore nfne-sn6forts al the
stones alternating waAA spaces, and
set In IN accurate circle, and across
the tops Of them other stones were
set, equally huge. The stones were
undressed and rugged; but the huge
mAssiveness Of them impressed the
eye more than all the temples and
daintily fooled pyramids Of our won
drous city. And In the center of the
circle was that still greater stone
which formed the altar, and round
which was carved, in the rude chisel-
ing of the ancients, the snake aud
the outstretched hand.
The crowd which bore me on came
to a standstill before the circle of
stones. To trespass beyond this is
death for the common people; and
for myself, although I had the right
Of entrance, I chose to stay where 1
was for the present, unnoticed among
the mob, and wait upon events.
Nearer and nearer drew the drums
and the braying of the othermusi and
presently the head Of glittering
procession began to arrive and dis
pose itself IN the space which had
been set apart. Many thousand
poor, starving wretches sighed when
they saw the wanton splendor Of IT,.
But these lords and these courtiers
OF this new Atlantis had no concern
beyond their own bellies and their
own backs. except for their one
alien regard-their simpering affec-
ton Tor Phorenioe.
I think, though. their loyalty for
the empress was real enough; and it
was not to be wondered at, since
everything they had came from her
lavish hands. Indeed, the woman had
charm that cannot be denied; for
when she appeared riding in the
golden castle (where I also had rid
deny on the back of her monstrous
shaggy mammoth, the starved, sui
len faces of the crowd frightened as
though meal and sudden prosperity
had been bestowed upon them; and
without word Of command, with
out trace Of compulsion, they
burst into spontaneous shouts OF well
come.
She acknowledged 1t with smile
OF thanks. Her cheeks were a little
flushed, her movements quick, her
manner high-strung. as all well
might be. seeing the horrible sac
rilege she had in mind. But she
was undeniably lovely; yes, more
adorably beautiful than ever with
her present thrill of excitement; and
when the stair was brought, and she
walked down from the mammoth's
back to the ground, those near fell
to their knees and gave her worship,
out Of sheer fascination for her
beauty and charm
Ylga. the fan-girl, alone of all that
vast multitude round the sun tenn.
pie, contained herself within her
formal PAGES and duties. She looked
panied and troubled. It was plain
to see, even from the distance Mhere
I stood. that she CARRIED q leaxy
heart under TIP ieveaa Of 4ea eehs,
& uaa fixing, too. tha+ this sHpitld
be So Though she had been hong
enough divorced from his care and
fostered by the empress, Ylga was q
daughter of Zaemon, and he was the
chiefest of our Lord the Suns min
listers here on earth. She could not
forget her upbringing now at this
supreme moment when the highest
of the old gods was to be formally
defed. And perhaps also (haying q
kindness for Phorenice) she was net
little dreadful of the consequences
But the empress had no eye for one
sad look among ell the sea of glowing
faces. Boldly and proudly she strode
out into the circle, as Though she
had been the duly appointed priest
for the saeriAee, And after her came
a knot Of men, dressed as priests, and
bearing the victim, Some Of these
were creatures OF her own, and II
wAs easy to forgive mere ignorant
laymen, won over by the glamour Of
Phorenice's presence. But some, &c
their shame, We've men born in tbs
Priests alan, and brought up in the
groves and colleges of the Sacred
Mountain, and for their apostasy
there could be no palliation.
The wood had already beer
stacked on the altar-stone in the due
form required by the ancient symbol
ism, and the empress stood aside
while those who followed did wha,
was needful As they opened out,
saw that the victim was one of tn,
small. cloyen-hoofed horses that roam
the plains-sa most acceptable sac
rifice, They bound its feet will
metal gives, and put 1t on the pyre
where, for awhile, it lay neighing
Then they stepped aside. and left Il
living. Here was an innovation.
The false priests went back to tn,
farther side of the circle, and Phor
enice stood alone before the altar
She lifted up her voice, sweet, tune
full and carrying, and, though the di,
Of the siege still came from over th,
city, no ear there lost a word O.
what was spoken.
She raised her glance alaft, and al
other eyes followed 1t. The heave,
yes clear as the deep sea. gor