The gold leaf., 1909-10-28
PREDICTION
OF THE STRAWS

culture Few there were who re-
tanned some religion. but they we're.
in way. Stunned.
Gradually these people moved
farther away from Kusalassa and the
wild people took possession OF their
deserted fields. Then there were
skirmishes between the two parties.
and once or twice q man was killed.
but they thought nothing OF that The
raiders were called Sabbas. and at
frs, disliked their appellation. but as
time wore on they came to rejoice In
Il and, out OF spite. termed their enc
mics Kusalassas.
Now. the skirmishes became more
frequent and bloody. till finally there
occurred q real battle. in which arrow
and sword did such good service that
one-fourth Of the Sabbas and one-third
Of the Kusalassas lost their lives, but
the latter. though outnumbered. won
The smell OF altar and savory
dishes was everywhere to be noticed.
Before the image OF Ganesha. the
chief deity OF these people. stood a
red ram awaiting the butchers knife
ne crowd of anxious spectators
intcntly as the pricst-butcher ap-
0roeched. . siiver-handled knife In his
hand. Then the incense arose more
strongly. and there were cries to
0anesha to accept the sacrifice.
Suddenly from those about the
image there came two people. q man
and q woman. The woman. in black
attire. her head covered with q veil
chung to the mans arm.
The man. carrying a short sword
made Of talas wood. stepped up to the
priest and said in a steady voice: 20
priest! Before thou slayest Mesha
the ram. would say that have come
hither to wed Sulangana. whom thou
seest by my side. We promised thrse
moons ago to wed after l should have
slain q Saba. The battle Of to-day
has brought our wishes to fruition."
Then many more stepped forward
bearing sweet cakes and bags OF grain
and one had bowl Of milk.
1t seemed to have been premeditat
cd. for every one had something for
the bride and groom.
A feast was soon spread. the guests
seated and the red rams throat slit
The priest caught the blood and sprin
kled 1t upon the surface Of the milk
Then two rice straws were produced
and dropped upon the Redeemed liquor
Sulangana. and her future husband
named Devatang. watched the straw,
anxious. for II they met II signifiet
love till death. A shower of rice wa,
thrown over the two and altar wa!
sprinkled over the floor OF the hous,
q Ganesha.
Now the fateful moment was a
hand.
The straws foated ever nearer Il
each other, but they foated slowly. 4
breeze from the doorway. and Just q
the two straws we're about to toucl
they were blown wide apart. A stife'
scream from Sulaugana, q groan from
Devatang. murmur from the guests
. shake of the head from the priest
the blood-stained milk was still an
the straws moved not. Sulangsn
sank to her knees.
-
Meanwhile. the dead bodies on tn
field were being gathered and place
on pyres erected hastily with brush
wood and felled trees. while the 81
very moon looked calmly on. 500
the nauseating odor Of burned fes
filed the air. was waited into tn
house Of the god Ganesha and reaches
the nostrils of Sulangana and Devs
tang.
It overpowered the odor OF altar
Many people left the place with heav
hearts. for the signs portended q
good. The eyes OF the wooden Cane
sha stared sullenly upon the two pee
PIE. watching intently the motionles
rice-straws.
Two ANXIOUS hours passed; tn
etraws remained motionless.
Then with a shrek Sulangana faint
ed. Devatang leant against q pilla
with a hand to his head. muttering
"Oh. Sulangana! II cannot apply I
| me. for my neart will ever remain tn
| same! Then II must be"
He was interrupted by the entranc
OF q man In yellow gown whose fac
bore an expression OF sadness. II
| perceived Sulangana ON her face an
raised her with his hand
| 20 what do / see?" cried she, opel
ing her eyes. 'Tis the Rishi of whor
they speak! 'Tis the Lord Buddha +!
and she fell at his feet and kissed hi
hands.
| $50 soon! So soon." shrieked d.
vatang, tearing his hair and clutchin
his dagger. The straws did not II.
then. Sulangana! What means this
Who is this man?"
| For answer she again kissed But
dha's hands and cried "Oh save me!
She meant for him TO save her fror
the fate foretold by the stravs. bu
to Devatang II had another meaning
| His heart was burning within hin
and with a bound he was at his wife
side and his talas-wocd sword wa
through her heart.
Then recognizing Gautama. b
stared from the corpse At his feet q
the 'horrified. plying eyes that wer
turned upon him. and fell forward
never to rise again, for In falling hi
sword had pierced his heart!-ROH
| ERT 8. MACCARTEE.