The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-06

The room, l look back at 1t, seemed very definite and yet very bright. Did you over take ether or chloroform and watch things get out ox proportion, and very big and bright and sort of dancing, as though in some awful heat? That the way the dressing room looked to me then, Thungama sat and smiled at Lil Orien- tals don't smile often, but when they do it's usual ly time to say your prayers and take that drown. ing-man's-ast-look back over your past life.
 Lil was greeny-white like billiard chalk, and hs{ eyes vacant empty teacups She said later that she had felt frozen;-that all she Ees perfectly sure of that she was dying. really, dying from fear, at that. ....*s.... @
 My fathers fathers were kings in India." said Thungama We permitted slaves to steal You shall die. I have never hated before. but SO have never loved. Now that can love, cAA fear-which is the worst of all deaths. Look at me and will show you the death you ars to die; and in seeing, you will feel. Look now!" fl
 Their eyes seemed glued together for minutes and then Lil began to gasp in big broken breAthss if her life being wrenched out of ferE Her eyes stood out of her head, and the perspiras tion shone her face and neck; her hair was wet with it. And still Thungama went on smiling own luis or devil spirits. And bet bet there 1 were ere plenty of them in the room. too. g
 tha have ss tas ss
 condemn you. Smell now the smoke from th0 wood that begins to burn."
 Her eyes were awfu1 but couldn't moye-frona fear of something else I could smell the breath out of her; but the smoke smelled seemed to be that of sanda1-wood-heavy. suffocating. unbearable fumes Of Sandal-wOOd. Then saw Thungama's head bowed the little siiver~box sacred to the priests of Braham. And the Tamil ayah's forehead was down on the floor.
 'Dhurm nall" muttered the black woman which think means "For the faith" something like that. She seemed little frightened then clearly, "sobhan UlIah!' (the Power of the Lord shut my eyes. My head swan more and more smell of the sandal-wood made deathly sick l forced my eyes open. Thungama was speaking to Lil again.
 Thovh have xuf%h It cuts into your flesh, and the blood runs down. And now they fling you upon the pile of wood Your shoulder is bruised and crushed you fall. And now the smoke begins to crawl up into your face-before it sucks up your breath, they turn you that you may not die too quickly from the fumes And just one little flame Hicks along your side and scorches the skin." r.
 Lil swaying to and fro by this time She looked broken and half dead; thought she would fall in heap but she was still strainng her eyes to meet Thungama's dreadful black ones, tried and tried to move but couldn't. It was funny, you know, but could really almost that torture scene Thungama was describing, only dimly, though gauge curtain hung between it and me Every and then, as though something was blown over for second, could get little light ming glimpses of grinning men and girl some
 Now flame licks your naked feet, and now one catches your hair. It blazes up, and your scalp is scorched But you do not die. You begin to be one burn from head to foot but you do not die. The wood has been moistened, and the fire spreads slowly. You will not die though your hands and feet become charred stumps and your skin hangs pieces. many hours the fire shall eat through to your heart. And with lips left for your you will die-even as you are dying now-but slowly. oh, so slowly-that may watch you and be glad"
 I don't know how long 1t lasted-the ghastly stiffness that followed. Lii was silent now her mouth was open, and her eyes set in dread. full stare Thungama was not smiling now; she looked terrible and remorseless, something that had never been human. wanted to crawl at. her feet and scream for mercy, but couldn't My head was very light and queer, and things in the room flashed about as though I were drugged drunk. And suddenly from miles and miles away I heard something-oh, something as loud as thunder the doors of hell! Don't laugh: 1t sounded like that-big and-and decisive, some, how. It only knock on the door. After moment I heard voices. l couldn't follow them at first. Then I heard, suddenly, quite sharply and plainly in Gusse's rather loud tones: You might unlock the door, and let tell you the news.''
 There was little pause, and then-News?" in Thungamas smooth, everyday voice. <s
 "Yes, I should say so! Jack Parrish has eloped with Julia Fnch-announced it after the show tonight, and are off for Brussels In the morning Now will you let me in?
 Thungama made answer and, grumbling Gussie departed. There was another long silence 1 but life seemed to be coming back to me now. l. felt awfuy i'll and faint, though, and my eyes felt uueer When could clearly, Thungama was standing over the crouching tumbled figure of Ll The Little Golden Lady" touched her indirerently with her foot.
 fear would soon have killed you. But will let ; you live. I have work to do elsewhere" And she smiled.
 A minute later Lii rose to her feet. She shook all over and she white and dark and kept feeling her wrists as though they hurt her. But she was very far from being dead; she'd only had a hideous scare. She stood for 8 moment thinking, and then she walked unsteadily up to Thungama, who taking off bracelet of beaten silver.
 What was it?" asked LII bluntly. Hypno- tism?"
 Thungama raised her eyebrows innocently and looked up with her polite, unjoyful little smile, quite the everyday Thungama.
 Not understanding" she said.
 Come, now" said Lil, recovering herself fur ther, "how did you do it? How did you make me feel like that?
 Thungama smiled at her indugently, almost kindly.
 "Jao, Jao!" she said very gently and sweetly. Nobody understanding all things, Gulabi. Jao!'f And we went.
 We never saw her again, but Lemuel heard that she had gone abroad-to Brussels, he thought
 I dare say it was all nonsense. But I can't smell that stuff now without turning bit faint. dol yCnd duyoo fx~ +A~