The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-11-11

out, I'm sure, he said sorrowfully.
And so it appeared, for a distinct
lump was forming Just below the shout
der blade
The Phoongyes were notified, and
there was great rejoicing among them.
They came and beat tamtams all night
long in front of Valentyne's bungalow
This was to drive the Nahts away, so
that they would not steal the Beda again.
VALENTINE was loaded down with
presents and Toasted like bullock for
the sacrifice.
81 shall be rich man." he said to
Corbyn, "if the thing holds off for
time.
But the incessant drumming and
poay making about his bungalow was
driving him nearly mad for want of
sleep
Then one day Corbyn made discov-
cry. 1t was only boil, the result of
mango eating.
The PhoonRyes were in despair.
Just about that time Hpo Thit walked
into his bungalow one day and, bump.
ing his forehead on the floor, begged
Valentyne's forgiveness for wounding
him. He had served his time and was
going away. If he remained in Burma,
they would kill him for stealing the
Beda, SO he was going to some other
country.
And that was the last anybody ever
saw of Hpo Thit in Burma
Three years more of playing Buddha
at the rate of 10, 600 rupees year passed,
and this time there could be no mistake
about it, so Corbyn said. The ruby was
coming not far from the place where
the boil had been. In fact, it was the
irritation of the Beda that had most
likely caused the boil
1t was the same old thing over again
-tamtams, and poays, and presents,
and much praying, and the working of
charms to keep the Nahts away-only
stronger than before, for they were
sure of it this time.
Corbyn could take his fingers and
push it about under the skin, and the
| grim, butternut colored faces of the
Phoongyes relaxed when they realized
how close they were to getting the
heaven sent relic.
Even the officials were pleased
pleased with VALENTINE, pleased with
themselves and with the way they had
managed the affair. The Phoongyes
would have their ruby back again, and
VALENTINE would have done well out of
the deal. In fact he might be reinstat-
ed in the service if this spirit Of Bud
! dha were cast out of him.
The chief commissioner graciously
extended his patronage to the extract
ing of the stone.
Apart from all this it had great
surgical interest. All the medical fra
ternity in Rangoon asked Valentyne's
permission to be present. In fact, if he
had chosen to charge an admission fee
Of two rupees q head he might have
had his compound filled at that price
the day Corbyn summoned the Phoon-
eyes to be present to take delivery of
the ruby.
Everything was in readiness. The
archbishop had brought a sacred dish
that was supposed to have at one time
belonged to Buddha Guadama, to re-
ceive the Beda in.
Valentynes back was barred. Corbyn
made an incision with his scalpel,
pressed gently with the forefnger Of
his right hand downward and in a Sec
ond something lay in his left hand.
He gave it little rinse in bowl Of
warm water he had ready and held it
up to the expectant gaze of the many
craning heads.
1t was a piece of oblong lead-a slug
Hpo Thit had lied, that was all, and
had the ruby away with him-at least
it was never found.
THE END,