The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-06-19


under the golden moon, the silves stars
she went mad with jealousy and pain
and, snatching this dagger from her
belt, she plunged it first into the heart
of her false lover, then into her rival
And, turning, she held the bl Re. drip-
ping with blood high above her head
and cursed tina dead and the sword
Then, taking tiny bottle Of subtle moi
son, she drained it and fell on the
ground beside the man she had once
loved"
The dusky son OF Brahma paused
Had he woven a sufficiently haPrid
tale?
What was the cursor" cried mad
anne in delight
He hesitated, looked at the majors
cool, gray-blue eyes, at his pretty, deli
cate wife, and said, slowly:
That the dagger should exist till 1t
had fulfilled its mission and rid the
earth Of many unfaithful ones. but
when it fell into the hands OF man
or woman whose lover, husband, or
wife was absolutely true in work or
deed it should then be resolved into its
original elements and return to the
sun-god, whence 1t came"
There was a CLEAN of malice in Mo-
hamba's dusky eyes as he finished his
story. OF course Marjory Fleming did
not believe this nonsense, but her little
head was half-turned with mystical
odors and sights, and her woaan's
heart set on the dagger, The major
drew out his pocketbook with a sigh.
Il suppose there must come an end
to all this some time" he said, rather
impatieptly, IF buy this trashy dag
ger, will you go home without another
word? I'll wager we'll get no dinner
now"
To this irreverent, almost sacri-
legious speech Marjory refused to lis,
ten, for woman can hear what she
will and shut her ears to almost any
thing, to get her hearts desire. and
the pair left the sacred building and
the enchanted grounds for the last
time, with the precious blade, in its
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 mischievous smile, that when
we get home there will be nothing left
of my magical blade. l should be so
proud of the possession of such a hus-
band that 1 should not even sigh for
it's loss"
The major was tired, and alas! just
little cross, and muttered viciously
under. his mustache, as he pulled an
unruly strap:
Magic humbug, my too confiding
wife"
The next day the visitors set off for
their western home. Many weary miles
they travelled over prairie and noun
tain before they arrived at the little
frontier station where the old United
States ambulance met them, into which
they were loaded, people and baggage,
to be jOlted and pounded over the last
thirty miles, as the driver whipped UP
his mules, and they tore along in the
reckless, desperate fashion of army
ambulances.
When the major and his wife had
rested and refreshed themselves the
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 as
they did when put in, but in the second
layer she noticed little round spots and
holes. They looked exactly as II: a
shower of sparks had fallen on them.
At last they reached the siiken gown.
As she lifted It out and held 1t at arms
length her cry Of amazement was echoed
byeyeryone in the room. 1t is necessary
to say that all the women in the post
except Mrs. Moody, the Doctors wife,
and one or two others with whom a
feud existed, and who were not on
speaking terms with each other, were
In the room. The delicate lace. the
silken folds, simply dropped from her
grasp, mass of scorched and torn
fragments, and the dagger with its silk
envelope, where was 1t? Nothing re-
NAMED but a few rubies and turquoise
and emeralds. Nothing but a charred.
smoke-stained mass, The magic dagger
had returned whence it came Mrs,
Fleming was tired and nervous and ex-
cited, no doubt, but was that any rea-
son she should rush to her husband and
embrace him SO franticalIy and half
sob:
81 am so glad, Tom; knew it would
60"
The major thought Of his vanished
dollars and muttered soto voice: