Evening star., 1909-03-14
The Luck of the Merringtons
from s
Continued from page 8

Merrington did not herself know its exact
ture; but she did know that all sorts of good
luck were attributed to its possession. 1t was,
at least. this gift that the Ma jor had chosen.
With it, and escorted by trusted negro slave
named Ptolemy, he had Journeyed halfway
from Chihuahua to Ell Paso. when his party was
attacked by brigands.- Their last stand was
made in an adobe ruin where the Major had
been killed. What had become of the Luck of
the Merringtons' and what it really was, was
what Miss Merrington had come in rather
skeptical and pla yful humor to ask of Astro the
Seer.
SHE had got 50 far. when mufied electric
~ bell was family heard in the studio. Astro.
who had listened attent1vely. excused himself
to get book of astrologic tables which he said
it was necessary for him to consult before he
could answer Miss Merrington's question.
Around a corner of the bookshelf was sort Of
alcove cupboard. hung with black curtains He
parted them. and glass window was disclosed.
Pressed against this was a newspaper showing
the " Lost and Found column. One was ringed
about with blue pencil 1t read:
LOST, large opal. on Second Avenue.
Thursday last at two P. NJ Finder will be paid
a generous reward and questions asked.
HENRY MERRrNGroN. Bellevue Hospital.
Astro dropped the velvet curtains, reached on
the shelf for an immense volume bound In
heavy leather with silver clasps. He took 1t to
the able near where his visitor sat and threw
it open. The pages were of parchment, written
with beautiful medieval letters, with iumi-
mated initials and MANY zodiacal diagrams For
sometime he turnei the leaves thoughtfully;
then stopped to ask:
Do YOU know the exact date of your grand
fathers BIRTH
Miss Merrington unfortunately did not. He
asked. then. for her birthday which she gave to
the hour. Astro turned to another diagram
and taking Il pencil made few computa-
tions.
HIN Under the sign Libra with Mars and
Saturn in the aScendant-a daughter of the
ninth house-the moon. Wait moment. Let
me see your palm.
She drew off her glove. and not little
mvStified, but still smiling as at child S
game. showed her hand. Astro gave it
glance. turned it over doubled the knuckle of
the third finger. Then he sat down, nodding
his head.
Its too absurd ;" he said Zone can't often
strike fact SO definitely as this appears. Ii
I'm not mistaken the Luck of the Merring
tons Is here IN New York. 1ts-lets see. he
looked at his diagram and figures again
green-that fourth.-vellow, orange, red
that seven. Green and red Why. it must be
al opal: that the only stone that's both green
and red. It's 4 fire opal. probably Mexican
gem. not the Austrian milky blue stone. Curl
Gus. isn't ii
Yes" she drawled if it's true"
Well ii You'll wait a moment, | may be
q ble 10 tind Just where it is.
oh, III wait Il long time to get back the
family luck she said.
Astro shut his eyes and remained silent for
time. Then he shuddered. put his hand to his
head. and SAID slowly. " get the name Allen.
.Alen-St.. that's II. And | see a man in a blue
coat guarding it. He has brass buttons-oh.
yes, he : q Policeman" He shuddered again,