The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-24

about us were giant trees, of that Pc
culiar growth one finds only in the
ages-eultivated gardens of old Japan.
Through the trees we could glimpse a
trickling silver cascade, leaping down
the hillside, from terrace to terrace.
Suddenly Varnim gripped my arm; he
seemed all atremble. Desce nding 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 thei most
fluent English.
Hast thou come for expiation,
i brother?"
For expiration, 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 ap
! proach, terrace, and wonderful seen
cry. Behind the shrine was a 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 fillet
with a clear, bright lantern light. Ih
priest led Varnim just beneath al
image of bronze facing the door.
was unable to recognize the god. bu
it was one of great antiquity, and he'll
a bronze knife in its outstretche
right hand The priest addressed tn
image, still speaking in perfect Ems
lish.
Most Holy One, thou hast con
manded that thy servants shed
blood. 1t is we'll Ten years ago tn
servant Kaga-Ichi had sister. Whe
| a foreigner one day would have pr
famed thy temple, thy servants sist'
| saved his life from the fury OF mar
: men. But this stranger lived in Il
I land, and he acquired our customs al
+ became thy servant; also he marie
6 thy servants sister. When he II;
O served in thy house for the space
n three years and thy servants slst
q had borne him a manchild one q
there came a letter and he disi
peared.
I Most Holy One, 1t was well If
| pleased thee that thy servants sist
| should die of grief, and her babe WI
i her: but it was not we'll that t
II | Il.
servant forget them in other Ian
i We may shed no blood nor life;
here Most Holy One, thy penit'
yields him to thy justice.
| The priest ceased and knelt on
7 floor, his head bowed. Varnim seen
y as one stupetied, but his eyes nj
n with an awful horror. l followed
] gaze-and then | saw.
4 The hand of the bronze image
q risen. 1t poised in air an insta
I then fell swiftly. The knife STR
a Varnim, but he remained standl
7 only giving low moan. | was
4 alyzed with horror.
z Then the arm was raised ag'
s slowly, remorselessly. But as 1t
about to fall, ! came to my sem
m. Selling dish of rice from the oil
ing table | hurled it into the bro
;, eyes; there was crash
IN And with a cry l switched on
electricity.
en- NV brass cigar lighter had cras
Gu into the lantern and extinguished
candle. Varnim lay by the fire,
g. coat dabbled with blood, and by
~ side a queer bronze knife.
He was only slightly hurt. Owe
nc. cup of coffee he laughed at the wi
hu matter, although l saw that his W
w, was not natural.
'iu I'VE were both rather nervous,
up Marked you were hypnotized
ne seeing that vision, and | was pla!
y, with my knife when it slipped
hiu cut me and tainted | would not
i" that lantern much, II ! were you;
III seem rather susceptible to its Il
nc ence."
All He was SO evidently shaken tn
oe- did not say that the knife in his /
GA and that held by the image were
same.
Next morning / took one OF
1u' candles 10 a chemist for immed
analysis; he could give me
a. Opium, and some other drugs
=, found; but there were substances
iA,i could not be named AS was ret
ARK ing home paper was thrust into
hand. CHANGING at it. saw head
Ecu of the strange suicide of Harold
Vi MIN the night before at his a
ish ments. No cause for the act
known.
am still wondering whether X
Tue Ichfs gift was one of gratitude,
ese purpose. Some day ! am goin
hcs burn another candle.
tub