Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-05-07

So my heather god had his halo OF
course the most natural explanation was
the simplest. Doubtless the substance of
which 1t was moulded did in truth con
tain phosphorus and that explanation |
at once accepted. so without more ado,
as the breeze from an open window was
playing with my nightdresS, picked the
idol up to replace 1t III its case. But |
dropped it the second after. a sharp
quick Jingle darted up my arm to my ell
bow rs though | had touched an electric
sponge. Puzzled more than ever, | mus
tered my courage and picked it up again.
Whatever its quasi-electric property had
been, it refused to manifest it a second
time. The Jungle was not repeated got
back into bed, with renewed material for
wonder.
At last sank into restless sleep and
was beset all night by myriad weird
oriental spectres.
The next morning of course the first
thing did was to pinch the Griiiin's bel
ly aud resume acquaintance with my fe-
itch. Daylight made no appreciable dit
terence in its appearance. could handle
it. also, with entire impunity. 1t seemed
to have forfeited its electric quality for
good. Before starting for my office, at
taChed it by means of the loop i'll its ser
pentine belt to my watch chain, where it
hung like very prescntable trinket
That day | CHANGED to encounter Il
irlenu AT lne restaurant WneGe IL was my
custom to lunch. He is an erudite gentle
man, an Interpreter in one of the courts.
Almost as soon rs we had shaken hands,
he exclaimed with lively interest mau-
thing his phYsOgnOmy, "why, what is
that - pointing to the new ornament
dangling from my buttonhole.
"Ah,' said, II am glad you have no
ticed 1t. | don't known precisely what it
is. Perhaps You can enlighten me-
"Let me see it., - he said, extending his
hand
took it of, and while he was studying
it through his eye glasses, ! told him sub
stantallv all that | have told the reader
in the foregoing pages. When had done,
he declared that it was certainly Il very
unique curio and an unmstakable an
tique what" he continued, "what is
tins inscription upon its back ?'
"lnscription ?" queried. 81 did not
know there was an inscription. Where :"
Here" he answered, tracing with the
point of toothpick the line of gold which
had believed to be embroidery. This is
Il device or legend. think it is Sanskrit
1t would be worth the trouble of having
it translated"
"By all MEANS" | acquesced" 1t may
convey some information regarding its
origin and nature. Whom do | know
who understands Sanskrit p
IL know u man who dOes-a lawyer
whose office isn't ten minutes distant from
this spot. Suppose we call upon him -
Capital Dear me, how lucky was
to run across you"
We hurried through our lunch and in
due course of time after it were seated in
the lawyers office. Ny friend was an old
of his, 50 that he didn't object to being
interviewed during business hours.
"Oh yes, he affirmed, lit is Il device in
Sanskrit, u Verse" and thereupon with
the assistance of a dictionary he read us
the translation. ut makes one squirm,
does it not ~ he inquired
won't you write it down ~ | said.
"Why, certainly he responded, suit
ing the action to the word. This is what
he wrote
am the slave of him who bears me,
But am SO his master.
Not until my heart be pierced
VIII my potency be undone.
| thanked the lawyer cordially and we
went away.
Some days later got aboard sixth
avenue horse-car at the Central Park ter
minus of the route, with the intention of
paying.a visit in 18th street. Esconcing
myself in Il corner near the platform, |
soon became absorbed by the affairs was
bent upon.
don't know how long had been seat
ed thus when my revery was violently in
terrupted by a swift Jingle up my arm.
Unawares, my hand had been toying with
the idol and this was the result.
All" thought, "nOw the electrical
conditions have been restored. Let us see
whether their cause is apparent"
| glanced down ut my watch-chain,
There hung the idol, as innocent AS you
please. | touched it again. In lieu of the
Jingle, experienced two fine darts of pain
in my finger, as though it had been prick
ed with pin Then the exceptional symp-
toms ceased, and the idol i'll my clasp was
~ harmless AS "A dove
! raised my eyes, considerably mySttied
AS they swept over the space before them
they were arrested by something which
banished all other eXistences fathoms
deep in the inane. A face, directly oppO
site me, a woman's face, beautiful beyond
any words. A face that burned itself
then and there into the tissue of my life
disclosing upconceived attitudes of JOY
and anguish. Describe her ? Should
attempt to do so, as she appeared to me
everybody would scott and cry, incredi
BILE save only those who have seen hel
with their own eyes and to them my
warmest description would seem pititulll
cold and inadequate.
Suffice it that gazed upon this woman!
| face, and was changed in doing so n
completely as at the Masters fiat tn,
water was changed to wine. She sat ther,
calm and proud in her imperial beauty
/ unconscious of the spell she was WeaVin!
around my heart. Her eyes, aglow beneath
their lashes, were fixed upon the talismar
that hung from my chain
SO gazed upon her as boldly as | chos
without running the risk OF giving he
offence.
But at last she started and seemed t
shake herself free from brown study
looked out of the window to learn he
wnereabout and signaled the conducto
to stop the car.
No doubt it was an ungentlemanl
course to take, and favored of the Bow
cry, but forgetting my engagement in lit
street, | got out and followed her, mair
! tanning a judicious distance so as to b
) unObselNed.
followed her back up 9th avenue, hoI
ing that she would lead to her dwelling
place, and that with certainty of il
location to work upon, might in the fl
ture be enabled to find out who she wal
She disappointed me- however, by turnn
into one OF the large shop that are situi
ted on the thOroughtare III question, nea
its junction with 23d street. | followe
, her into the shop only to lose her in tn
cloud of ladies that was dense about tn
a counters.
/ TO search for her there would have bee
e as futile as to search for Il needle in
attn IL Nf hn,r I tnI al ,