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



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MAJ. Fleming's pretty. delicate little
wife sank on a couch OF oriental stuff.
almost exhausted. She had come from
the remote army post, away on on TIE
frontier. to see the wonders OF the
worlds fair. and for many weary but
delightful days had tramped through
the winding paths and the wonderful
buildings Of the great exposition.
Now her time was almost gone; she
must soon Join the rest OF the tired
things that trains and boats we're car
rying TO their several homes. with full
hearts and souls and empty purses.
Amid all the wonders she had seen the
mystical scented rooms Of the East In
dian building attracted Mariory Flem-
Ing most She would sit for hours IN
the diyan covered with rich old cloth
and lose herself In dreams Of a misty
periumed past The wonderful products
OF the far-oif land. the crowds Of pleas
ure seekers, would melt away. and
gazing into the dusky faces. the dark
passionate eyes OF the strange men
about her she would feel herself waited
away into palace on the banks Of the
Ganges; fancy herself. mayhap. Be
gum or an Indian princess, and only
be brought back 10 plain. prosaic sur
r6undings by the cravings OF worlds
fair appetite or the sound Of some IA
miliar, hlgh-pltched voice urging her
departure. But all this was practically
over now. Tomorrow she must leave
the dear. dirty old city. the scene Of 80
many joyful reunions and 50 many
magical hours. for her far-oh home.
Her room at the hotel was full OF the
confusion Of an lnelplen, packing. Her
trunks stood open. Many a paper bun
die or broSen box showed that her time
had not been entirely spent In looking
and through the coming winter. when
snow and hail should beat on the win
dow panes Of her western home. from
wall and mantel would shine out these
evidences OF her taste. sun she was
not happy.
Almost on her FIRST visit 10 the East
Indian building she had spied on
wonderfully carved sheath a dagger. II
was not a beautiful thing. What its
composition was nobody could tell. Il
looked like onyx. Il was a dark green
veined with white and purple lines, and
on the tip there was a dash Of deep
red that glowed and gllttered In the
sun. Il looked exactly as n Il had been
clipped In blood. and Mrs. Fleming's
bright eyes grew big and round as she
looked at Il. II haunted her. The
crafty attendant withdrew Il from is
sheath Of carved sandal wood and held
Il silently before her. saying some
thing. but looking al her with deep. OBJ
servant eyes. He had not been born In
the land OF mystery. OF hypnotism, and
Of cunning In vain. Theprics OF the dag
ger was extravagant. AZ least Il seemed
90 when she thought Of how little she
had left In her flabby purse; but she
could not turn her back on the coveted
object Il haunted her dreams. as well
as her waking hours. To her excited
fancy the ieweled blade seemed full Of
enehantment. Of fascination. and time
after time. az she wandered sadly away
and went slowly home her heart Eel,
heavy within her. To-day she turned
to the major. who stood patiently near.
wondering why on earth women were
30 slow. and thinking how much better
hot dinner was than all this trump
cry.
Tom" she cried. Il mus, have II!
Do get Il for me. promise It ls the
las, thing shall ask for. viii 70
home as contented and as meek as any
lamb II you will get Il; for know.
feel. that Il has some history connected
with Il. That must be blood on the
blade"