The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-11-24

hamhae dusky eyes az he finished his
story. OF course Mafiory Fleming did
not believe this nonsense. but her little
head was hali-turned with mystical
odou and Fights. and her woman's
heart set on the dagger. The major
drew out his pocketbook with a sch.
Il suppose there must come an end
TO al THE some time" he said. rather
impauently. II buy this trashy dag
ger. win you 80 home without another
wordg I'll wager we'n get no dinner
now"
To this irreyerent. almost sacri-
legious speech MaiSory refused 10 ls-
ten. for a woman can hear what the
VIII and ehut her ears to almost any
thing, 10 get her hearts desire. and
the pair left the sacred building and
the enchanted grounds for the last
tine. with the precious blade. IN 10
carved sheath. done up IN many careful
wrappings. That night at the hotel
down town a tired couple sat and
viewed In dismay a room full Of articles
to be packed in the small space OF two
trunks.
Let US hope" said Mrs. Fleming
with a mlschleyous smile. "that when
We get home there will be nothing left
Of my magical blade. should be 90
proud OF the possession Of such a hus-
band that I should not even sigh for
lts loss"
The major was tired. and alasl Just
a little cross. and muitered viclously
under his mustacho. as he pulled an
unruly strap:
Magic humbug, my too conhdinl
wifer
The next day the visitors set on FOL
their western home. Many weary mile'
they travelled over prairie and noun
tain before they arrived AZ the little
frontier station where the old United
States ambulance met them. into which
they were loaded. people and baggage
10 be jolted and pounded over tbs lasi
thirty miles. az the driver whipped ~
his mules. and they tore along In the
reckless. desperate fashion OF army
ambulnnces.
When the major and his wife had
rested and refreshed themselves N,
task Of unpacking the trunks began
Mrs. Fleming unlocked the one In
which the sword was placed. As she
opened the lid a peculiar odor greeted
her. The articles on top seemed al
they did when put IN. but IN the seconl
layer she noticed little round spots ami
holes. They looked exactly as II {
shower Of sparks had fallen on them
At last they reached the silken gown
As she lifted Il out and held Il at arm
length hercry OF amazement was echoei
hyevcryone In the room. Il Is necessary
10 say that all the women In the pos
except Mrs. Moody. the doctors wife
and one or two others with whom 4
feud existed. and who we're not o.
speaking terms with each other. wer,
In the room. The delicate lace. n,
Gilken folds. simply dropped from hei
grasp. a mass OF scorched and tori
fragments. and the dagger with Us SIN
envelope. where was It? Nothing re
malned but a few rubies and turquols'
and emeralds. Nothing but a charred
smoke-stalned mass. The magic daEgel
had returned whence Il came. Mrs
Fleming was tired and nervous and ex
cited. no doubt, but was that any rca
son she should rush 10 her husband an,
embrace him so frantically and hal
sob:
Il am so glad. Tom; knew II woul,
go"
The major thought Of bis vanishe,
dollars and muttered soto voice:
"celluloid. as I thought. spontane0u
combustion"
But he was too wise a man to "a,
any more.-Farm and Fireside.