The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-02-08
THE AUDITORIUM


thought 1t prudent to add. cor you
might startle him. Call any time after
breakfast tomorrow, and you'll find
him in"
Tonight" said Fakrash, II return
to pursue my search after Suleyman
ON whom be peace! For not yet
have I found him."
But you won't forget to look In
on Professor Futvoye tomorrow, will
you?"
"Assuredly I will not. And now,
ere I depart, tell me If there be any
other service 1 may render thee"
Horace hesitated. There is just
one" he said. "only I'm afraid you'll
be offended If mention it."
ION the head and the eye be thy
commands" said the Jinnee; "for
whatsoever thou desirest shall be &C
complished. provided that it lie with
in my power to perform it,
WELL" said Horace. IF you're sure
you don't mind. I'll tell you. You've
transformed this house into a won
derful place. more like the Alham-
bra than a London lodging house.
But then am only a lodger here,
and the people the house belongs to
would very much rather have the
house as it was. They have a sort
Of idea that they won't be able to let
these rooms as easily as the others"
Base and sordid dogs!" said the
Jinnee. with contempt.
Possibly" said Horace. Its mar
row minded Of them. but that's the
way they look at it. They've actually
left rather than stay here. And it's
their house-not mine!'
IF they abandon this dwelling,
thou wilt remain in the more secure
possession"
"Oh. shall I, though? They'll go to
law and have me turned out. and I
shall have to pay ruinous damages
into the bargain. So you see, what
you intended as a kindness will only
bring me bad luck"
'Come-without more wsrds--to
the statement Of thy request" said
Fakrash, "for am in haste"
"All I want you to do" replied
Horace, in some anxiety as to what
the effect Of his request would be,
us to put everything here back to
what 1t was before. 1t won't take
you a minute" ,.-.
"Of truth" exclaimed Fakrash.
ITO bestow a favor upon thee Is but
thankless undertaking, for not once.
but twice. hast thou rejected my ben
efits; and now. behold, am at loss
to devise means to crafty theel"
II know I've abused your good ma
ture," said Horace. but If you'll only
do this. and then convince the pro-
lessor that my story Is true. shall
be more than satisfied. I'll never ask
another favor of you"
my benovolence toward thee hath
no bounds, as thou shalt see, and I
can deny thee nothing. for truly thou
art a worthy and temperate young
man. Farewell, then. and be 1t &C.
cording to thy desire"
He raised his arms above his head,
and shot up like rocket toward the
lofty dome, which split asunder to
let him pass.
Then came a low, rumbling sound,
with a shock like a mild earthquake:
the slender pillars swayed under their
horseshoe arches: the big hanging
lanterns went out; the walls narrow
ed. and the floor heaved and rose
till Ventimore found himself up in
his own familiar sitting room once
more. in the dark. Inside the room
everything was exactly as before.
But he was very far from regret
ting his short-lived splendor; he
burned with shame and resentment
whenever he thought of that night
mare banquet. which was SO unlike
the quiet. unpretentious little dinner
he had looked forward to. And after
this, Ventimore though Fakrash
would have the sense and good feel
ing not to interfere in his affairs
again.
(CONTTNUED.)