The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1908-10-09
The Death Head
jSIYyjIYIJIVIJIITJTTJJIV Observation-Disclosures

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES jllyQlgDl1a)g1QDl&
~o~0-~-~~--O~.~-~
1t was bought by Mortimer Davent
at sale held in rambling old country
house somewhere within twenty miles
of London, and he was first attracted
to 1t by Its horribly repulslve appear
anee.
| allude to the mummified head Of Il
shrunken and brown in appearance, and
with the lips, as is usual, stitched to.
gether.
Not very formidable so far, and II
was not until you noticed the eyes that
you realized how extremely sinister an
aspect they gave to the whole face
Deeply sunken with half-closed lids
they gave one ever the chilling impres.
sion that the sight still lurked within
them, and move where you would about
the room their stealthy gaze would fol
low.
Mortimer Davent was strange man,
and strange things had a fascination
for him, therefore he carried his treas
ure home and placed it amongst the
almost unique collection Of curios he
had gathered upon his travels abroad
And that same day there came an old
and valued friend to see him. He ar
rived rather early In the evening, to
find narent alone In his study, with
pipe between his teeth gloating over
his latest purchase. AS the visitor was
announced, he rose quickly, and moving
the case aside, came forward with out
stretched hand.
"My dear Crosby" he exclaimed, "the
very man wanted to see! Sit down at
once and light up. I've got something
to show you"
Nothing loth Crosby drew up a chair
and rubbed his hands in pleased antici-
patton.
whats the treasure this timer he
inquired with Interest. IL thought you'd
got everything worth having in that
collection of yours. What is it2 An
other bronzeW
Davent shook his head. He was con
cealing the case with his sleeve.
"Wrong, old fellow. Guess again !"
"a crystal A rare piece of china /!
A black-letter bookw Then seeing that
Davent still shook his head: "I give
It up. Show 1t to me, whatever 1t is,
and put an end to my suspense"
"1t's the mummified head of Chi
uaman!" said Davent.
His friends face fell. "Is that all?
he exclaimed. "Why, you bought head
not so very long ago! l thought you
had discovered something out Of the
ordinary
"Well, this is out Of the ordinary"
replied Davent, and, moving his arm,
he drew the case forward until 1t stood
exactly beneath the rays of the big
shaded lamp above them. "Have the
goodness to examine that face care
fullyl"
Crosby, bending forward, complied.
Then he drew back and, sitting upright,
gave low whistle of surprise.
"Jove, man! You are right" he com
mented. "Ihls Is out of the ordinary.
Those eyes, If they were fully opened,
would be simply dlabollcal. The fellow
must have been as cunning as old Nick
himself. I'm hanged If the brute isn't
watching us all the tIme!"
"There you are! That's just it,"
cried Davent excltedly. 1.-The very
thing that struck me! The whole even
ing I've sat In this room, and the beg
gar's never once taken his eyes Off me.
A minute ago could have sworn he
was grinning at me-"
Crosby sprang to his feet
'I.ook here" he exclaimed. I'm 60
ing to fetch old Hammond. We must
see IL he notices anything strange.
He's lived In China nearly all his life.
and il there should be anything super
natural about the thing he's the man to
find II out, Are you game?"
by all MEANS" assented Davent,
consulting his watch, AT this time
you ought to catch him, and, for good
ness sake, don't be long. This thing is
getting on my nerves"
When Hammond entered. without
knowing In the least why he had been
fetched, the two men watched him
keenly. He greeted Davent in his usual
quiet manner, and then his eye fell
upon the glass case still standing upon
the table,
"Hallor' he exclaimed Something
new" and advancing closer he carefully
adjusted his pnc-nes,
Neither Davent nor Crosby were
quite prepared for the strange scene
that followed, Hammond had but taken
one glance at the CHASTITY head when he
suddenly uttered loud aud terrible
cry and Hung up his arms