The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1909-05-14

from the silken side curtains; a radi-
ance of shimmering, mysterious
flames seemed to wrap the lantern in
its folds. l was fascinated by the
transformation of the cold metal to
this wonderful mass of color; in the
semi darkness the copper t%raceries
seemed almost to phosphoresce, and
them
Varnim and I were mounting the
steps of a great temple approach. All
about us were giant trees, of that pc.
culiar growth one finds only in the
ages-cultivated gardens Of old Japan.
Through the trees we could glimpse a
trickling silver cascade, leaping down
the hillside, from terrace to terrace.
Suddenly Varnim gripped my arm; he
seemed all atremble. Descending to.
ward us was a priest, and as he drew
near l saw that his face was the face
Of kaga-Ichi.
Greeting me with a slight smile, he
then addressed Varnim in the most
fluent English.
Hast thou come for expiation.
brother?"
For expiation. brother" echoed
Varnim, duly. His face was drawn
and gray.
Turning. the priest led the way. We
mounted the foot-worn stone steps in
silence, and at the top found a long
avenue. This terminated in one OF
those ridiculously small shrines which
90 +hn ooptro1 rOint Of v,i1nc IF an.
prOach. terrace, and wonderful seem
cry. Behind the shrine was a low
stone building, and this, it seemed,
was our goal.
We entered in silence unDrOken.
The place was shrouded in heavy cur.
tains, and the small room was filled
with a clear, bright lantern light. The
priest led Varnim just beneath an
image of bronze, facing the door. l
was unable to recognize the god, but
it was one of great antiquity, and held
a bronze knife in it's outstretched
right hand. The priest addressed the
image, still speaking in perfect Eng
lish.
Most Holy One, thou hast com
manded that thy servants shed no
blood. 1t is we'll. Ten years ago thy
servant Kaga-Ichi had a sister. When
a foreigner one day would have pro.
famed thy temple, thy servants sister
saved his life from the fury of many
men. But this stranger lived in the
land, and he acquired u customs and
became thy servant; also he married
thy servants sister. When he had
served in thy house for the space Of
three years and thy servants sister
had borne him a manchild one day
there came a letter and he disap
peared.
Most Holy One, it was we'll if it
pleased thee that thy servants sister
should die Of grief, and her babe with
her; but it was not well that thy
mysteries should be profaned and thy
servant forget them in other lands.
We may shed no blood nor life; so
here Most Holy One, thy penitent
yields him to thy justice"
The priest ceased and knelt on the
floor, his head bowed. Narnim seemed
as one stupefied, but his eyes filled
with an awful horror. l followed his
gaze-and then l saw.
The hand of the bronze image had
risen! 1t poised in air an instant,
then fell swiftly. The knife struck
Varnim, but he remained standing,
only giving a low moan. l was par.
alyzed with horror.
Than tho ot1n WOO roicn6 QOain
slowly, remorselessly. But as it was
about to fall, l came to my senses.
Selling a dish of rice from the offer
ing table l hurled it into the bronze
eyes: there was a crash
And with a cry l switched on the
electricity.
My brass cigar lighter had crashed
into the lantern and eXtinguished the
candle. Varnim lay by the fire, his
coat dabbled with blood, and by his
side a queer bronze knife.
He was only slightly hurt. Over a
cup Of coffee he laughed at the whole
matter, although l saw that his voice
was not natural.
Eve We're both rather nervous he
marked: you were hypnotiZed into
seeing that vision, and | was playing
with my knife when it Slipped and
cut me and l tainted. l would not use
that lantern much, if We're you; you
seem rather susceptible to its inlu.
euce."
He was so evidently shaken that |
did not say that the knife in his hand
and that held by the image We're the