The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-02
bout us we're giant trees. of chat be-.

about us were giant trees, Of that Pc
cu,iar growth one finds only In the
ages-cultivated gardens Of old Japan.
Through the trees we could glimpse a
trickling silver eade, 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 / saw that his face was the face
of Kaga-Ichi.
Greeting me with slight smile, he
then addressed Varnim in the most
fluent English.
Hast thou come for expiration,
! 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 long
avenue. This terminated in one of
those ridiculously small shrines which
are the central point of miles OF APP
preach, terrace, and wonderful seem
cry. Behind the shrine was low
stone building, and this, it seemed,
was our goal.
| We entered in silence unbroken.
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.
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 NJ
blood 1t is well. Ten years ago tn!
servant Kaga-Ichi had a sister. Whel
a foreigner one day would have pro
famed thy temple, thy servants siste
saved his life from the fury of man!
men. But this stranger lived in thu
land, and he acquired our customs ant
became thy seEvant; also he married
thy servants sister. When he hat
served in thy house for the space o
three years and thy servants siste
had borne him a manchild one da
peared.
Most Holy One, it was well If
pleased thee that thy servants siste
should die of grief, and her babe wit
her; but it was not well that tn
mysteries should be profaned and tn
servant forget them in other lands
We may shed no blood nor life; s
here Most Holy One, thy peniter
yields him to thy justice"
The priest ceased and knelt on tn
floor, his head bowed. Varnim SCENE
as one stupefied, but his eyes file
with an awful horror. | followed hi
gaze-and then | saw.
The hand of the bronze image ha
risen 1t poised in air an instan
then fell swiftly. The knife struc
Varnim, but he remained STANDING
only giving low moan. l was pa
alyzed with horror.
Then the arm was raised agai
) slowly, remorselessly. But as it We
about to fall, | came to my sense
j, Selling a dish of rice from the offe
ing table | hurled it into the bron.
eyes; there was a crash
And with a cry | switched on Il
;, electricity.
;, My brass cigar lighter had crasht
into the lantern aid eXtinguished Il
lau NV
:, coat dabbled with blood, and by
side queer bronze knife.
= He was only slightly hurt. Over
:, cup of coffee he laughed at the who
- matter although | saw that his vol
4 was not natural
I'VE were both rather nervous"
- marked; "yCu We're hypnotized in
;, seeing that vision. and | was playil
:, with my knife when it slipped al
cut me and | tainted. | would not u
- that lantern much, if | We're you; "
= seem rather susceptible to its ina
70 ence"
He was so evidently shaken that
: did not say that the knife in his hal
and that held ny the image were t
same.
!. Next morning | took one of t
candles 10 chemist for immedia
:. analysis; he could give me nor
J., Opium, and some other drugs,
=, found; but there we're substances tn
=. could not be named. AS | was retul
ing home paper was thrust into 4
:, hand CHANGING at it, | saw headlin
~ MIN the night before at his apa
ments. No cause for the act W
known.
- am still wondering vhether Kas
Ichi's gift was one of gratitude, or
- purpose. Some day | am going
:, burn another candle.