The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-25

be shed, no, not that of the most wick ed evil-doer. If any one of the fam fly of the priests reaches this place living, the glory of the White Death is won. Follow and see.'
 So they followed her up the mound, past what looked like the entrance to cave, until they reached a low fence of reeds whereof the gate stood open. there,'' whispered the old Mother of the Trees, flor those who enter there live not long. Look, Lady look.''
 Rachel peered through the gate, but so dense was the gloom in that holy spot, that at first she could only see the enormous red bole of the cedar and the ghoStly, mOSS-clad branches which sprang from it at no great height above the ground. Presently, however, her eyes, grown accustomed to the light, distinguished several little white- robed figures seated upon the earth at some distance from the trunk staring before them. These figures appeared to be those of both men and women, while one was that of a child. Even as they watched, the figure nearest to still, whereon those around it set up a feeble, piping cry, that yet had in it a note of gladness. The dwarf-mutes who had accompanied them, and who alone seemed to have a right of en- try into this sad place, ran forward and looked. Then very gently they lifted up the fallen figure and bore it out. As it was carried past them Rachel noted that it was the body of quite a young woman, whose little face. wasted to nothing, still looked sweet and gentle.
 was she in?" asked Rachel in an awed voice.
 "Perhaps,'' answered the Mother, shaking her grey head, Cor perhaps she was very unhappy, and came here to die. What does it matter? She is happy now"
 Ask her. Noie, if all must die who sit beneath that tree,'' said Rachel.
 Aye" answered Nya, "all save these dumb people who have been priests of the Tree from generation to genera tion. To touch it's stem is to perish and Death, and in it dwells the Spirit of the whole race.''
 What then would happen if it fell down. or was destroyed like your tree,
 linen the race would perish also,'' answered Nya. "since their Spirit would lack a home and depart to the world of Ghosts, whither they must follow. When it dies of old age, if it should ever die, then the race will die with it."
 And if someone should cut it down, Mother, what then?"
 words to her, the face of the old queen was, filled with horror. and as her face was, so was Noie's face.
 White Maiden" she gasped, speak not such wickedness lest the very thought of it should bring the curse upon us all. He who destroyed that tree would bring ruin upon this peo- pie. They would fly away, everyone of them, far into the heart of the for est, and be seen no more by man. Moreover, he who did this evil thing would perish and pass down vengeance the ghosts. such vengeance as may not be spoke. Put that thought from thy mind, pray thee, and let it never pass thy lips again. "Do you believe all this iNoie?" ask ed Rachel in English with smile. 'Yes, Zoola," answered Noie, shud- dering, flor it is true. My father told me of it, and of what happened once to some wild men who broke the sane tuary, and shot arrows at the Treel No, no, I will not tell the story; it is dreadful"
 "Yet it must be foolishness, Noie, for how can a tree have power over the lives of men?"