The Washington times., 1905-12-31
CHAPTER XIV.
The Second Ordeal.

Oros bowed and left the place. where
on the Hesea signed to us TO stand up
on her right and 10 Atene TO stand upon
her left Presently from either side the
hooded priests and priestesses stole into
the chamber. and to the number of fifty
or more ranged themselves along its
walls. Then came two figures draped
in black and masked. who bore parch-
ment books in their hands. and placed
themselves on either side OF the corpse
while Oros stood at its feet. facing the
Hesea.
ryow she lifted the sistrum that she
held and in obedience to the signal,
Oros said:
LET the books be opened"
Thereon the masked aceuser to the
right broke the seal of his book and be-
gan TO read its pages. II was a tale of
the sins Of this dead man entered as
fully as though that officer We're his
own conscience given life and voice In
cold and horrible detail it told OF the
evil doings of his childhood of his
youth, and of his ripper years. and thus
massed together the record was black
indeed
1 listened amazed. wondering what
spy had been set upon the deeds of yon-
der man throughout his days: thinking
also with a shudder of now heavy would
be the tale against any one of US. if
such a spy should companion him from
the cradle to the grave; remembering.
too. that fun surely this count is kept
by scribes even more watchful than
the ministers of Hes.
AT length the long story drew to its
close Lastly it told Of the murder of
that noble upon the banks OF the river.
1t told of the plot against our lives for
no just cause; il told Of our cruel hunt
ing with the death hounds. and Of it's
end Then the accuser shut his book
and cast it on the ground. saying:
Such is the record, o mother: sum
ii up thou hast been given wisdom. -
Without speaking. the Hesea pointed
with her sistrum TO the defender. who
thereon broke the seal Of his book and
began TO read.
Its tale spoke OF all the good that the
dead man had done; of every noble
word that he had said; or every kind ac-
tion; of plans which he had made for
the welfare of his vassaIs: of tempta-
lions 10 III that he hac resisted: of the
true love that he had borne to the
woman who became his wife: OF the
prayers which he had made and of the
offerings which he had sent to the tenn
pie OF He's
Making no mention of her name
1t told Of how that wife Of his had
hated him. of how she and the magic
Ian. who had fostered and educated
her. and was her relative and guide
had set other women to lead him
astray tnat she might be free OF him
OF how also they had driven him mad
with poisonous drink which took
away his Judgment, unclaimed all the
evil in his heart. and caused him by
its oaneful influence 10 shrink un-
naturally from her whose love he still
desired.
Also ii set out that the heaviest OF
his crimes were inspired by this wife
Of his, who sought 20 befoul his name
in the ears OF the people whom she LED
him To oppress, and how bitter 1eaI-
ousy drove him 10 cruel acts. the last
and worst Of which caused him foulIy
to violate the law Of hospitality, and
in attempting TO bring about the deatf
Of blameless guests, at their hands tc
find his own.
Thus the defender read. and having
read. closed the book and threw il OF
the ground, saying:
OuCH IL lnt " tHDlner. sun
1t up as thou hast been given wisdom
5ner the Khania, who all this tim,
had stood cold and impassive steppe,
forward to speak, and with her he
uncle. the Shaman Simbri. But befor
word passed Atenes lips the Hese,
raised her scepter and forbade them
saying:
Thy day Of trial is not yet. no
have we aught 70 do with thee. Whel
thou liest where he lies and the book
of thy deeds are read aloud II he
who sits in judgment, then let thin
advocate make answer for thes
things"
$50 be IT," answered Aten@. haughtiiy
and fell back.
Now it was the turn OF the higl
priest, Oros. Mother" ne said. tho
hast heard. Balance the writings. asses
the truth, ard according to thy wisdom
issue thy commands. Shall We hurl hir
who was Rdssen feet first into the fer
gulf. that he may walk again in Ii