Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-06

open plumbin, and stained glass windows thrown in;
providin Of course, she was win to swap the solid
gold pawn for the best mosaic tllln turned out IN
Trenton, n. ]. And Zapira, who cared more for her
ancient religion than for all the gold could load on
train of coal said she was perfectly win. Tiles
for her. every tine
(Which brings u.s." says Professor Wcks, ito the
humble but somewhat essential part am asking you
to take in this noble enterprise Thanks to my unting
efforts have been able to interest number of in
fuential of affairs in plans for restoring the
temple of Lamma-Lu and of reviving religion whose
origin has been lost in the lnsts of prehistoric ages
This very night of them will gather to witness
the Prestess Zapra GO through those ancient rites
Here in the midst of this wicked city she has set her
altar to that deity whom primitive man first hOnOred
demands a cupbearer an acolyte; but he must be
child of the sun, golden haired one, like herself None
other will answer. And you, young man-well-"
Il see" says l. takn off my straw lid to let him have
a good view Il ought to qualify in the finals, eh?'
"You do" says he "And you'll Gomez
Well there was, dead up against it. Course, it was
a weird proposition to have sprung on you, right on
Broadway of Saturday afternoon, this tale of old
Spaniards and ruined temples, and priestess from
Peru. And expect, if I'd been better posted along
hearn Professor Wicks ii it Ill straight and earnest
and ben curious about this altar stunt-well
fell for it.
Eight forty-ive, ch? says |. Gimme the number,
and II be there"
TT wa mt any hafatcrs roost down in the theatrical
district either It's the first floor suite of swell
boardn house up in the 70s, with neat dressed maid
the door. And when I'm towed in to Professor Wcks
find him got up in full, open face evenn clothes He's
busy arrangn' bunch Of long stemmed roses in tall
vase, and pacn the chairs around in semcrcle acn
the curtain that shuts off the back parlor.
"Wcll, Profess says @you I'm runnn on sched'
"S-s-s-sh!" says he, gvin the soft pedal sign. "The
Priestess Zapra has entered the sacred silence while
the incense burns the altar. Softly, now, SOFTLY
Here are the vestmcntS of your office"
With that he Tugs out what looks like white cotton
mighty with long flown sleeves edged with three inches
of brig ht red ribbon When he's dropped that my
head and tied it tight above my collar, he picks up
gilt medal to look like sunburst and Grapes
it around my neck like chest protector. Next he
takes a comb and fluffs out my red hair, and as
fnishin' touch he hands a brass bowl about the
size Of a wash basin.
@Gce,' whispers, gcttin glimpse in the pier glass.
"I'm all dollcd up now, amt II"
"You attircd BELTS who attends the
Priestess Zapira before the altar of the Incas, says
Wicks solemn and serious. "Now prepare yourself to
enter the presence and receive instruction in your
duties
Oh, you can smoker now; but you amt gcttin the
full effects of that dim light and the drawn curtains
and all the rest Honest, it had my knees wabby,
and when he calls out low and husky, 90 Zapra the
acolyte awaits your plcasurc!' l swallown hard
and gettn' dry in the throat.
"Come" says voice behind the curtain, and Wcks
grabs me by the hand and drags in.