Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23


waverng light of a peacock lamp which swoo
down from the ceiling with wings outstretcl
what might have been a nook in palace OF 1
India. Draperies hung here, there, everywh
richly embroidered divans sprawled about; III
tiger rugs glared up from the floor; grotesque II
grinned mirthlessly in unexpected corners; stra
arms were grouped the walls. Outside
trolley cars changed blatantly.
The single human figure was distinct con-
tradiction of all else. 1t was that of man
in evening dress, smoking. He was nifty, per-
haps sixty, years old, with the ruddy, healthy
color of one who has lived a great deal out
doors. There only touch of gray in his
abundant hair and mustache. His eyes were
steady and clear and indolent.
For a long time he sat- then the draperles
to his right parted and girl entered. She
part of the picture of which the man
was contradiction. Her lustrous black hair
flowed about her shoulders; lambert mysteries
lay in her eyes. Her dress was the dress of
the East. For moment she stood looking
at the man. and then entered with light
tread.
"Varick, sahib," she said tirnidly as if it
was a greeting DO intrude?" Her voice
was softly cultural, with the accent of her
native tongue.
oh no, Jadeh Come in," said the man.
She smiled frankly and sat down on has
sock near him. MY brother?" she asked
He is in the cabinet"
Varick had merely glanced at her and then
continued his thoughtful gaze into vacancy.
shyly, with touch of eagerness, but there
was no answering interest in his manner. His
thoughts were far away.
May l ask what brings you this time,
sahib?" she inquired at last.
"A little deal in the market" responded
Varick carelessly. " 1t seems to have puzzled
Adhem as much as it did me. He has been
in the cabinet for half hour"
He stared musingly as he smoked, then
dropped his eyes to the slender, graceful figure
of Jadeh. With knees clasped in her hands,
she leaned back on the hassock, deeply thought
full. Her head tilted upward, and the
Pickering light fell full on her face. 1t crossed
Varick's mind that she was pretty, and he was
about to say he would have said to any
other woman, when the curtains behind them
were thrown open and they both glanced
around.
Another man, an East Indian, entered This
was Adhem Singh, the crystal gazer, in the
ostentatious robes of He, too, was a
part of the picture. There was an expression
of apprehension, mingled with some other
'p Well, Adhe a' inquired l Varick ia'
Il have strange things, sahib," replied
the seer solernnly. The crystal tells me of
danger"
Danger" repeated Varick with a slight
l shall keep out of it"
Not danger to your business, sahib,'' the
crystal .gazer went on with troubled face; 6
danger in another way"
The girl Jadeh looked at him with quick, star
eyes, and asked some question in her native tom
He answered in the language, and she
suddenly with terror stricken face to fling hersel
Varicks feet, weeping. Varick seemed to I'm
stand, too, and looked at the seer in apprel
sion.
DEATH" he exclaimed What do you mea
Adhem silent for moment and bowed
head respectfully before the steady inquiring
of the white man.
Pardon, sahib,'' he said at last. Il did
remember that you understood my language"
What is it?" insisted Varick abruptly. g
me-"
Il cannot sahib.''
You must!" declared the other. He had r
commandingly. You must!
The crystal gazer crossed to him and stood fo
instant with his hand resting on the white m
mans face. "The crystal, sahib," he began,
tells me that-that-"