Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-09-19


-'but must 20 GoHnt wa first. am
IN such terrible dai,.er. %ei."
~ kat is the n,u3er:' he cried In
alarm. forgetting The reception for a
moment. For answer she held out a
paper
Let me read this she commanded.
"Listeg: IL 3"h son &C Hain,d, lost
his pocketbock If tie Ender does not
return the same. Esnah. soa Of Hamid.
will do eyen as did his father before
him.
Hastings smiled
Where is the danger?" he de-
manded.
HE says" she went ON. three days
will he allowed. and this is Saturdays
paper That means that unless he gets
it tonight he will-oh! | don't know
what he will DO That is what makes
it SO terrible
And you mean to say that he has
frightened you into taking the pocket
book back tonight Give it to me, and
l will take it over in the morning I'll
take chances on the curse"
But he says the finder" she per
sisted. I'm the finder. We must go
at once, Ned"
For moment disappointment and
impatience struggled with love. Then
the saving sense of humor came to his
relief, and he threw back his head and
laughed.
"Get your things on" he said when
his laughter died "and we will hunt
up this sorcerer of the pleasant prom
Uses. Perhaps we can get to the re-
ception before it closes anyway"
They found the address with some
difficulty. 1t was q curio shop in the
foreign quarter. and through the jun
BILE of rugs. Turkish slippers and
hookahs in the window Esnah. the son
OF Hamd, could be seen putting away
at his cigarette.
lie came forward politely as they en-
tered, turning to Hastings for informa-
ton as to has wants Avice pressed
eagerly forward.
Are you Esnah, son of Hamidf" she
demanded. Are you the man who
lost the purse?''
Il am he" said the Egyptian, with a
fash of his white teeth beneath the
black mustache.
pated man wrapped in mystic robes
sitting over a brazier on which bub-
bled a caldron. He was very or
binary shopkeeper without even fez
to lend local color.
There were In the purse S14 and
some most important papers. 1t was Of
red leather. With a strap" he went on.
This must be your" she said as
she passed over the purse
Il am most obliged" said Esnah,
sharply scrutiniZing the couple. He
could see that Il money reward was
not sought May | offer the lady a
ght souvenir token OF appreciation of
her goodness"
'Have you IL lucky cha"m:" she ask
ed. turning from the gay scarfs he was
lingering
Esnah smiled and went TO the rear of
the store where the safe stood. 1t was
not the first time Il charm had been re-
questeG. He drew from Il drawer an
odd looking stone. 1t wa one of many
that came from Germany and cost IS
gross, but ivice received it rever-
emily and tucked it into her pocketbook
with elaborate care.
Esnah stood politely in the attitude
Of one whose business is concluded and
who waits only to be dismissed But
Avice was not through. She wander
ed about the store looking ut the stock
and making n few small purchases to
justify her curiosity until at last she
gained courage.
please" she said softly. Esnah was
all attention.
II want to know" she went on hur-
riedly, what your father did to the
thief who took his pocketbook and did
not return it"
My father was Hamld son of Ak
kar." began the Egyptian ITO the
merchants of Alexandria he was well
known one day in the market place he
lost his wallet. For three days he told
his loss. and then on the third day"
"Yes?' Ayice was almost leaning
over the counter.
ION the third day" repeated Esnah,
''he decided that he would see his pock-
etbook no more so he went and bought
another"
Ned" said Avice softly rs they came
in sight of her home, ''if you promise
never to tell
Il won't rub it in he promised.
Then III marry you if you still want
me. l guess I'm cured of superstition
Seeing the Point.
The following story is tola of Phil