The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-05-26
READING OF
THE INK q q
ATEST OF EAST INDIAN MAGIC

WINTHROP says that Johnny must
w have believed, else he would never
have done it, while hold that he could
not have believed, for the very same rea-
son. What the rajah thought we have
not learned, as neither Of us ever spoke
to him thereafter Of that or of any other
thing.
I met Mr.. Gunga Singh-"the rajah"
by discourtesy-at Johnny's door that
evening, and together we went upstairs.
Hello, Hall" Johnny called from the
midst of pile of bags, boxes and othe:
lmpedimenta. Good evening, rajah. l
say, you know, it's awfully decent OF you
chaps to come
All packed?' asked.
Eyes; that u.s. all 'cept this thing Kirk
wood sent me, and I'm blessed if know
what to do with it, Seems to think there
are Indians in New York" And Johnny
held out for the rajah's inspection SER
Viceable looking revolver
II presume the so-called Indians of
America are no longer to be feared" sug-
gested Singh, conyersationally, laying
the revolver on the table. Shall you
be gone long, Mr. Meicklejohn?
Il don't know, really" laughed
Johnny ruefully. winthrop says I've
got to stay until come back a bloated
plutocrat. But he seems to forget what a
WELL what fearful duffer am"
will you then not continue your
studies?"
No. he answered, finally. THE vul-
gar truth is, Rajah, as Hal will tell you,
| can't afford it,"
There followed an awkward silence,
during which. l observed with anxiety.
Singh turned something over in his
mind. feared that he was considering
how he could offer Johnny money. My
fear was only too we'll founded, but |
could never have guessed the manner OF
the offer. 1t was too Indian.
Mr.. Meicklejohn,' he began, leaning
with the tips of his fingers against the
table, in the fashion of an after dinner
speaker, "Meicklejohn, I was deucedly
grieved to hear that you had been
plowed. l cannot comprehend how it
rame to be. You coached me, and |
passed. How could you yourself fail?
"However, be that as it may, am
blooming sorry. Now, you were of great
assistance to me, and to make short a
long story, l owe much to you. would
therefore desire you to accept from me a
small token of my appreciation.
This ring has some intrinsic worth,
but its sentimental value is great. Ac-
cordlng to an ancient legend it brings its
Wearer good luck" And. drawing from
his finger ring set with a ruby of ex-
:raordinary size. he held it out to Johnny
But you know, Rajah." exclaimed the
latter II can't take that. Why, it's
worth mint of money I'm really awful
ly obliged. old chap, but couldn't think
OF depriving YOU"
The stone!" scoffed Singh; bah. that
is nothing! 1t is for the charm would
bestoW it,
Charms I remarked, ARE a bit out
of date-in Edinburgh"
Then you refuse, Mr.. Meicklejohn? %
I'm sorry, III have to-" johnny re-
piled. I'm afraid don't believe in
charms enough toforget the value of tina,
stone. old chap"
"Ah, WE'LL" laughed Singh, replacing
the ring upon his finger Il suppose VIC
are silly, superstitious people. Very
childish, I'm sure. Eth, Halbeath?"
very" said l.
you're not offended, Rajah, are Won ~
asked Johnny. Heaven only knows I've
use for all the luck can get. I'm NOT
funking, Hal, but I'd give 210o, if had
it, t. know what I'll be doing three years
from oow."
Sitting under your own fig tree with
an heiress by your side, probably" sug
gested. But maybe the Rajah has some
charm ortelling the future" Ifear thai
showed my dislike of the Indian toe
plainly.
Il have. indeed-Singh smiled m1rth.
lessly. 4 have, but you will scott as
all but your wisest men do-a little trick
you may know. 1t is the reading of thu
ink"
Never mind" l exclaimed, "we'v<
had enough of that sort of thing for tn
night"
''Aha!" laughed the Rajah; II see 70,
do believe
But what is it," demanded JOHNNY
BLAMED nonsense. Johnny" 1 de
clared vehemently. Let it alone."
Again the Rajah smiled mlrthlessly
Taking bottle of ink. which stood 4