The Washington times., 1916-07-02

the cemetery to leave a mower
tribute on the grave OF the sell
sacrificing Hindoo
The ungrassed earth of the pathetic
mound was marked with a simple stone:
.. 'r'r In memory OF
= December p, 1915.
Myra's face was wet with tears as she
looked at this humble final resting place
Q fthe man who had given his all to save
Alden wiped away a suspicious moisture
from his eyes. as he turned away
Poor Hail. Greater love than this
his f ne man. 'H Wonder &c Eye the ' sacrifice
has been really worth It all. These i'm
placable scoundrels are still so active,
that l am almost beginning to despair"
observed the physician.
you must not do that" objected
Myra. forcing a smile. as they walked
back to the waiting automobile, for !
am sure that they are at their wits
end. I feel so relieved now. after these
few more hours at least"
Alden sighed and agreed. But the
forgetting was decidedly one-sided!
For In small. crudely dug craven not
many miles away, the clan of the Devil
Worshippers were assiduously pursuing
a new line Of activity.
The members hardly understood the
tho bidding Of the High Master. But
that gentleman seemed sure of his re-
suits. and his evil face was wreathed
in sinister smiles OF confidence as he
the room while his confedcrates went
about their curious tasks.
In the center of the cavern was huge
stone chimney. with large, open fire.
place, such as may be seen In num-
N ~ In mr.
this case the freshness OF the mortar
which intensified the crude granite
rocks gave evidence that the structure
rs.S Of regent erection The Ss'h X
great faggots of dry wood. mumbling
q strange. and unintelligible Incarnation
over each fragment of wood. as they
deposited the fuel upon the andirons Of
These andirons were of curious APP
pearance; at the end Of each was the
grewsome figure OF an imp. while all
about the dank compartment were
painted upon the walls and floors dia-
bolical figures and skulls. Before this
huge fireplace was set square. black
altar decorated with odd heiroglyphics.
while in tbs center was a brass incense
pot.
Even as the men worked. a signal
came to the ears of the leader OF cere-
monies. who walked silently to the
KNOCKS KNOCKS from without tR a few Whispered
passwords. presaged the appearance Of
Arthur Varney, GREATNESS and excited.
II must see the High Master at once"
he exclaimed. starting toward the In
Eyes, brother. But first you must
don the robes of the Black Order" an
swered the leader. Il will announce
YOU"
He disappeared. as the club man drew
thee dark mantle and hood about his
shoulders and face.
"a har M Lon al mi trad
of him the news. but Varney shook his
head. He knew the penalty for gar
rullity. and disobedience: IN this strange
supreme pontifr. The crashing of the
Masters gong apprised him that he
might enter And. 50. with low obeis-
ance he sidled into the inner chamber.
of the sinful craft-upturned thumbs
and clenched fists. pressed against the
scared face of the potentate, Varney
turning this symbol OF the Horned One.
"Why am disturbed in my medita-
lions, yarney?" rasped the High Mas
''E IN as sra'hn have y0 iSst learned from
Nyra Maynard that this rascal. Payson
Alden Alden. Is planning new attempt
Varney's voice trembled with appre-
"And what is his wild scheme now"
iIs laugh the confident Master, HE has
IalleO so Iar.
"Yes. Master. but Myra told me that
he ls sure, Of the new course-it Is to
call back the spirit of Hail. the iiindoo.
In order to destroy, our society"
The Master snarled, then laughed.
ct wonder what the fools plan is?
However, let them call the spirit of the
traitor traitor. for nothing could suit my plans
what more shall do. o MASTER"
"Go with the other brethren to make
the required number for our ceremonial.
leader, and we Will soon succeed" was
the order. as the light faded out, and
the face Of the demoniac ruler disap-
peared from PM his ", view cuouo . 49,. o,..
cavern, to find them sitting cross-legged
upon the floor, bowling to right and left,
a. they muttered their strange mantra:
Over and over they repeated this
weird phrase as the leader held his
arms before the now blazing fireplace
For many minutes this curious ritual
was pursued, with no apparent result.
Suddenly. however. Varney was horri-
fed to behold the spectral shadows OF
hands appearing above the glowing en-
bers ip the crate.
They seemed to clutch appealingly at
some unseen object in the rolling smoke
above.
The next surprise. to Varney as we'll
as the other members. was the appear
ance in the room of the master him
self, who seldom mingled with them.
He knew that now must be some tre-
mendous effort Of the occult and the
weird actions of the flendish leader
proved his surmise to be true.
The master Frustrated himself before
the fireplace, muttering unfamiliar
chants in a ver!table paroxysm Of tense
exhortation.
The cries of the celebrants of this
evil ceremony at the command of the
leader. now increased in volume until
they were hoarsc screams. 1t was re-
voting, unnatural scene, and Varney,
despite his subservience to his master,
being more in touch with the outer,
normal world than the other strange
brethren. shuddered with a thrill of UNI
comfortable horror. His iron nerves
were beginning to give way to the
strain when a new apparition sent a
thrill to the roots OF his hair.
As he watched the fireplace. the hands
fluttered once more, and a presence
began to materialize within the soaring
tongues Of flame!
At first II was indistnct hardly more
definite than the twining serpents OF
the fire.
Then red glow, above the fire and
intermingled with the smoke. beca me
Noticeable. A head, with eyes suggest
ing black Goals, came into view, and