The Newark journal., 1909-11-26

oHdLaan Iuloc spoke he lltted from the casket an oriental scroll and rev erently held it towards the light.
 To the pure and single of heart" he read in low voice, T will grant his wish
 I will give any price, fulfill any con dltions, exclaimed Arden, in a cho- king voice. his whole form trembling.
 Look! What do you see?" the old man suddenly demanded, holding the ivory above his head.
 Only the ivory, nothing more," the young man answered.
 Look again." cried Shaman Tuloc, eagerly. Look at the center! What do you see now?'
 T see a delicate pink light shining through the ivory" answered Arden. excitedly. It seems to move and tremble. like rose swaying in the breeze"
 It is the soul of the sacred tusks!" cried Tuloc. triumphantly, the spirit, the life. Therein lies the power"
 What am I to do? Tell mel" de- handed the young man.
 Bring from your club the finest ball you have. My hands shall fashion it's mate in size and appearance from the sacred tusk, l will entrust the task to no other In weeks time you shall have ball, endowed with the living spirit of victory
 That same evening Arden brought from the club the desired model and the next day Shaman Tuloc began his self-imposed task. As he wrought his labor of love, patiently, silently, with reverential skill, the slender. graceful form of his only daughter glided often through the parted curtains and hung on her fathers shoulder with moist eyes and heaying bosom. More than once rosy blush suffused her modest cheek as she recalled the young strangers face and trembling voice. Then she murmured a silent prayer Tor her fathers task and for the young mans victory.
 On the eighth day the ball was fin ished, and to the instructed eye seem to throb visibly with sentient life, as it lay, white and glistening, in the sandal casket.
 Take it, my son." said Shaman fuloc, committing the box to him. Let no other hand than thine use this sacred ball. Let no other interest di- Vide your heart. Then victory will attend"
 The report that Arden was to play his eonqueror again filled the club house, An undefinable feeling was in the air that this game would possess unusual features-that it was strife for mastery to an unusual degree.
 To the surprise of his ferret-eyed op- ponent, Arden. playing with the sacred ball, won the bank. The balls were spotted and the game began. The style of play was 14-ineh baE line, one shot in. Without effort. by graceful. easy play, Arden rolled off run after run. His ball was absolutely under control, and the audience was with him to man, following his game with frequent applause. But. do what he would, Arden could not shake off his opponent He answered run with run and invariably finished a point or two in the lead
 Arden, however never lost conf. denee for moment in his ball or the outcome of the game. As the players approached the goal, the 300 mark. almost abreast, but the dark man still in the lead, the excitement grew intense. With only eight to go the latter ran six and missed on his 299tb shot. A hateful scowl showed on his face, but changed instantly to a tri. umphant smile, as he saw that Arden who stood at 295, was left an impcs. sible shot.
 Arden's ball lay tight against the cushions in one corner, the red ball ln the same position in the far corner on the other side, and his opponents ball against the cushion along the rail halfway between the other two halls
 It, indeed, looked to be an impos. sible shot, but Arden, with unruffled confidence, played a masse. whose like had never been seen on that or any other table. His ball, with a beauti. ful curve, spun to the ball half way down the rail continued its journey in the same marvelously accurate fash ion to the red ball, and counted of course The house fairly thundered its applause. The result of the shot was to leave the three balls lined up along the center of the table. A sec. ond brilliant masse counted 297, and the remaining three shots were clicked off In rapid succession.
 As Arden made the last shot, which meant victory for him. he felt his eyes drawn irresistibly across the table to the tier of seats opposite. His gaze rested on pair of eyes shining with radiancy he had never seen before As he felt himself yielding to their power and started toward them. a strange thing happened With a sud, den click the wonderful ball with which he had played and won, snapped asunder and parted into two pieces. As 1t fell apart Arden saw an appear. ance like delicate pink flame leave the ball, pass through the air towards the wonderful eyes, then oyer the head