Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-11

! Out must 20 DOWNTOWN urSC. SAu
in such terrible danger, Ned"
What is the matterY' he cried In
alarm, forgetting the reception for a
| moment For answer she held out a
| paper.
LET me read this" she commanded.
! Listen: 'Esnah, son of Hamid, lost
his pocketbook. If the finder does not
return the same, Esnah. son of Hamid,
Will do even as did his father before
him."
Hastings smiled.
where is the danger?" he de-
manded.
Gle says" she went on, "'three days
will be allowed and this is Saturdays
paper That means that unless he gets
1t 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 1t to me. and
I will take 1t 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 a moment disappointment and
Impotence 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
ises Perhaps we can get to the re-
ception before it closes anyway"
They found the address with some
difficulty. 1t was a curio shop in the
foreign quarter, and through the jum-
bic of rugs. Turkish slippers and
hoOkahs in the window Esnah. the son
Of Hamid, could be seen putting away
at his cigarette. ----~--- --------
He came forward politely as they en-
tered, turning to Hastings for informal
ton as to his wants. Avice pressed
eagerly forward
Are you Esnah, son Of Hamid?" she
demanded. Are you the man who
lost the purse?"
II am he," said the Egyptian. with a
fash of his white teeth beneath the
black mustache.
Avice's face fell. She had antici-
pated man wrapped in mystic robes
sitting over a braZier on which bub-
bled caldron. He was a very or
to lend local color
There were In the purse $14 and
some most important papers. 1t was Of
red leather. with strap" he went on.
This must be yours" she said as
she passed over the purse.
II am most Obliged" said Esnah,
sharply scrutinizing the couple. He
could see that money reward was
not sought. May l offer the lady II
slight souvenir token of appreciation of
her goodness"
Have you lucky charm?" 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 charm had been re-
quested. He drew from a drawer an
odd looking stone 1t was one of many
that came from Germany and cost So
a gross, but Avice 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 at the stock
and making 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 Hamid, son Of Ak
kar," began the Egyptian. ITO the
merchants of Alexandria he was we'll
known. One day in the market place he
lost his wallet For three days he told
his loss. and then ON the third day
"YesY' Avice 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 as they came
in sight of her home, "if you promise
never TO tell
Il won't rub it ill.," he promised.
"Then I'll marry you if you still want
me- l guess I'm cured OF superstition"