Connecticut western news., 1896-06-18

tne story OI tn6 btSaTd UT EuTi Ut rather greater length than have told it to you in this place. winding up with a suggestion that Churton might as we'll throw the little box down the hill and see whether all his troubles would go with 1t. In ordinary ears-Englis ears-the tale was only an interesting bit of folklore Churton laughed, said that he felt better for his breakfast, md 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.
 It is curious thing that when a man hates or loves beyond reason he is ready to go beyond reason to gratify his feel ings-which he would not do for money or power merely. Depend upon it Solo mon would never have built altars to Ashteroth and all those ladies with queer names if there had not been trou- ble of some kind in his zenana and mo- where else. But this is beside the story. The facts of the case are these: Pack called on Churton next day when Chur- 
 Bisara of Puri from its place under the clock on the mantelpieoe 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 Q man's 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 a belief are quite different things. The insolent satisfaction of Pack as he ann bled by the side of Miss Hollis and Churton' 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- picion. He vowed that he only wanted to find out where his ruby studded sil- yer box had vanished to. You cannot accuse man of the government house list of stealing. And if you rife his room you ara thief yourself. Churton. prompted by the man who knew, decid- ed on burglary. If he found nothing in Packs room, but it is not nice to think of what would have happened in that case
 Pack went to dance at Benmore- Kenmore was Kenmore in those days. and not an office-and danced 15 waltzes out of 22 with Miss Hollis. Churton and the man took all the keys to Packs room in the hotel. certain that his servants would be away. Pack was 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. It 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 ard 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 his foot on one of the stops leading down to the old rink, and had to be sent homo in Q rickshaw 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 tho mild est of them. Pack took the names with the nervous smile of 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 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 l Churton insisted upon the man who | knew taking the Bisara of Puri as a | gift. The man took it, went down to the cart road at once, found an ekka l pony with blue bend necklace, fastened the Bisara of Puri inside the necklace with piece of shoestring and thanked heaven that he was rid of danger. Remember, in case you ever find it. that | you must not destroy the Bisara of i Puri. have not time to explain why 1 just now, but the power lies in the lit tie wooden fish. Mister Gubernatis or
 Max Muller could tell you moro about
 it than l.
 You will say that all this story Is
 made up. Very we'll. 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 1t. as Pack did, and
 you will be sorry that you had no,
 killed yourself in the beginning. .-Rud
 yard Kipling.