Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 279: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

270 feel it her duty to refuse him for my sake as well as for yours. “T have no doubt that Philip has come tonight to throw himself on your mercy. You dear old matchmaking mamma! ”’ “T wonder if Philip has gone!” | said, rising impulsively. Elsa laughed and went out with me on the balcony. But Philip was no- where to be seen. We sat there in the moonlight, Elsa and I, and talked it all over again, every moment a deeper peace filling our souls. . hurried to her side. THE ARGOSY. “And Amy will be so happy, for she loves Philip; I have always known it. And I shall go to church with Percy and take him back at the altar and thank God for him, and beg to be for- given for having been so wicked.” Polly woke with a little cry, and Elsa She soothed her to sleep and then came back to me. ‘’ Mother,” she said, “ did you hear Polly when she woke? She called ‘Mamma!’ It always used to be ‘Rina!’ I think my baby loves me now.” THE CAPTIVES OF THE. TEMPLE.’ BY SEWARD W. HOPKINS. A tale of strange adventure in South American wilds. The sequel to a quest for the Great Royal Orchid, involving an escape from one foe only to fall into the hands of another still more relentless. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. On the ship Wing, bound to South America after rare woods, are Oliver Keyburn, son of the owner, and his friend, William Desklit. Keyburn has.taken the part of Pedro Gapo, a negro mem- ber of the crew, against the cruelty of the captain, Jacob Pence. After they get into the Amazon, - Keybtirn and Desklit are made prisoners at the captain’s orders, and preparations are under way to leave them on an island, when the vessel is wrecked by a tidal wave. Keyburn, Desklit and the negro escape and are picked up by a steam yacht, the Flora, hailing from London and bound for the head waters of the Tapajos, in search of a rare plant known as the Great Royal Orchid. There is a young lady in the party, Professor Wisdom’s niece, and when it is no longer possible to navigate the river, all disembark and make thcir way through the forest. During a night camp, Keyburn is suddenly struck down by an unseen foe, and when he recovers his senses finds himself on a comfortable bed in a room of barbaric splendor. A young negro is in attendance, and questioning him in the Spanish tongue, Keyburn learns that he is in the house of Padre Jadispiato, the chief priest of the temple. More he cannot learn save that he is allowed to look upon two immense Brazilian cats that guard the doorway and bar off all hope of his escape. Presently Jadispiato himself appears, and from him the American ascertains that the place is called Ameza and that he was brought there to die. CHAPTER V. A DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE TEMPLE. HE manner of the man filled me with such wonder that the effect of his words was not what he intended it to be. Undoubtedly he had sought to strike me with terror, whereas my strongest emotion was amazement. Yet I confess to a creepy sort of feel- ing as the chilling words came like knives from the straight set lips. “To die!” L echoed. “You say I have been brought here to die! But for what? In what way have [ incurred your displeasure?” “Your question is an idle one,” was the stern reply. “You know full well *This story began tn the December issue of THE ARGOSY, which will be mailed to any address on recetpt of re rents. ECOMRRIC Oe CO