The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-03-25

go with it. In ordinary ears-English
ears-the tale was only an interesting
bit of folklore. Churton laughed, said
that he felt better for his breakfast,
and went out. Pack had been breakfast
ing by himself to the right of the arch,
and had heard everything. He was
nearly mad with his absurd infatuation
for Miss Hollis, that all Simla had been
laughing about.
1t is curious thing that when man
hates or loves beyond reason he is ready
to go beyond reason to crafty his feel
ings--which he would not do for money
or power merely. Depend upon it Solo,
mon would never have built affairs to
Ashteroth and all those ladies with
queer names if there had not been trou-
BILE Of some kind in his zenana and no.
where else. But this is beside the story.
The facts of the case are these: Pack
called on Churton next day when Chur-
ton was ont, left his card and stole the
Bisara of Puri from its place under
the clock on the mantelpiece Stole it
like the thief he was by nature. Three
days later all Simla was electrified by
the news that Miss Hollis had accepted
Pack-the shriveled rat, Pack Do you
desire clearer evidence than this? The
Bisara of Puri had been stolen, and it
worked as it had always done when
won by foul means.
There are three or four times in
man S life when he is justified in med
ding with other peoples affairs to play
Providence.
The man who knew felt that he was
justified, but believing and acting on
belief are quite different things. The
insolent satisfaction of Pack as he am
bled by the side of Miss Hollis and
Churtons striking release from liver as
soon as the Bisara of Puri had gone,
decided the man. He explained to Chur
ton, and Churton laughed, because he
was not brought up to believe that men
on the government house list steal-at
least little things. But the miraculous
acceptance by Miss Hollis of that tailor,
Pack. decided him to take steps on sus-
pioion. He vowed that he only wanted
to find out where his ruby studded sill
accuse man of the government house
list of stealing And if you rife his
room you are thief yourself. Churton,
prompted by the man who knew, decid-
ed ON burglary. If he found nothing in
Pack IS room, y but it is not nice to
think of what would have happened in
that case.
Pack went to a dance at Benmore--
Kenmore was Kenmore in those days,
and not an office-and danced 10
waltzes out of 30 with Miss Hollis.
Churton and the man took all the keys
that they could lay hands on and went
to Packs room in the hotel, certain
that his servants would be away, Pack
was a cheap soul. He had not purchased
a decent cash box to keep his papers in,
but one of those native limitations that
you buy for 10 rupees. 1t opened to any
sort of key, and there at the bottom, un-
der Packs insurance policy, lay the
Bisara Of Puri
Churton called Pack names, put the
Bisara of Puri in his pocket, and
went to the dance with the man-at
least he came in time for supper and
saw the beginning of the end in Miss
Hollis eyes. She was hysterical after
supper, and was taken away by her
mamma.
At the dance, with the abominable
Bisara in his pocket, Churton twisted
bis foot ON one of the steps leading down
to the old rink, and had to be sent home
in riekshaw grumbling. He did not
believe in the Bisara of Puri any the
more for this manifestation, but he
sought out Pack and called him some
ugly names, and "thief" was the mild
est of them. Pack took the names with
the nervous smile of a little man who
wants both soul and body to resent an
insult, and went his way. There was
no public scandal.
A week later Pack got his definite
dismissal from Miss Hollis. There had
been a mistake in the placing of her
affections she said. So he went away to
Madras, where he can do no great harm
even If he lives to be colonel
Churton insisted upon the man who
knew taking the Bisara Of Puri as q
gift. The man took it, went down to
the cart road at once, found an ekka
pony with blue bead necklace, fastened
the Bisara of Puri inside the necklace
with piece Of shoestring and thanked
heaven that he was rid Of a danger.
Remember, in case you ever find it. that
you must not destroy the Bisara Of
Puri. / have not time to explain why
just now, but the power lies in the lit
tie wooden fish. Mister Gubernatis or
Max Muller could tell you more about
it than l.
Yon will say that all this story is
made up. Very well. If ever you come
across little silver, ruby studded box,
seven -eighths of an inch long by three
quarters wide, with dark brown wood
en- fish. wrapped in gold cloth, inside
it, keep it. Keep it for three years, and
then you will discover for yourself
whether my story is true or false.
Better still, steal it, as Pack did, and
you will be sorry that you had not
killed yourself in the beginning. -Rud-
yard Kinlinp