Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-05-12
The Ring of the Maharajah.

Inc KING OF the NdIldI dJdh'
"Yes," said Bentley, putting at his
cigar and looking thoughtfully at white
line that marked the bronze OF his finger,
THAT is where used to wear the ring OF
the maharajah ONO matter what.
"And thereby hangs a tale, as | can
guess" returned Laidlaw, with laugh.
"Out with it, man p
"The maharajah was friend OF mine.
hunted tigers with him, and once say
ed his life from the beast whose skin is
under our feet" The three men looked
down at the splendid tiger skin at their
feet, at the tawny beauty OF the silken
hair and then at the cruel head with its
snarling lips and deadly fangs.
81 saved his life, and he was very
grateful TO NE for it. He gave me rich
presents, and then one day in spite OF my
protests he insisted upon my accepting
the ring. 1t is a wide band OF gold with
carved amethyst sunk deep in the set
ting. 'Sahib Bentley said the maharaJah,
this will bring good fortune, the blessing
ofheaven and protection from your enc
mics. Come tomorrow and | will tell
you the story of the ring and how you
may use it to advantage '" Bentley
paused and looked gravely into the fire.
"And the next day." prompted Laid
law, "you went and"-
"rhe next day went to the palace and
found that the mahajarah had died sudden
ly in the night"
"And so you never knew the history
of the ring ?" remarked Eastman.
"HNot until it made new history after it
came into my possession. AT first did
not wear it through some dislike for bar
barouS iewelrY, and then one day after |
had been thinking of the old maharajah
and deciding what white old heathen
ne had been slipped it on my finger,
and so grew into the habit OF wearing
it.
Zone night was dining with lot OF
fellows at the Calcutta club when sud
denly one of them, little EngliShman by
the name OF Ellsworth, caught my hand and
examined the ring thoughtfully. ! was
explaining the matter OF the ring to him
when, with a startled cry, he fell over on
the floor.
ole was dead when we picked him
up" he said presently. Heart disease,
the doctor said"
"And what was your opinion ?"
al had none. To me it was merely a
coincidence that he should have expired
while examining my ring. never con-
nected the ring with the case in any way.
A year afterward while was sitting IN
the veranda of my bungalow a servant
announced that lady wished to see me.
She was admitted to the veranda, and |
found her to be the wife Of all English
army officer whom | knew merely by
reputation. He was hard case, and rll-
NOR had it that he was disgraced and pa
pers from the home office were en- route
to Calcutta regarding his suspension.
"MrS. Fitz-Nonon was a very beautl-
full woman, quiet and refined, but her
face expressed the greatest distress. She
apologized for intruding upon me and
then asked abruptly if possessed the
ring of the maharajah. | told her that |
did and that had it on. She asked TO
eexamlne it closely, and | drew it of and
handed it to her. With little cry she
pressed it to her lips and"-Bentley stop
ped snort and stared defiantly at his COM
, panionS.
J "And what happened ?" they asked in
unison.
"Wby, she sank to the floor uncon-
scious and died that night" said Bentley,
passing his hand wearily across his brow.
"The devil" uttered Laidlaw, looking
piyingly at his friend.
Poisoned" muttered Eastman, lean
ing forward in his chair, with brooding
eyes fixed on the fire.
ooh, it was examined for poison, and
none was found, " said Bentley. "ltmade
matters very unpleasant for me, but the
fact that it was given to me by the maha-
raiah was generally known, and so II
was forgotten after awhile"
"And did you continue to wear it 2
ayes. After it vas examined and
found harmless did wear it for ayear or
two until'-he paused again in amanner
that had been peculiarly exaSperating to
his bearers.
"Until when 2" exclaimed Laidlaw
impatiently.
"Until the great tragedy" returned
Bentley. He was looking very white and
worn now, and the two men noticed for
the first time the gauntness OF his face and
the dark hollows under his eyes. 81
was engaged to marry Miss Vivian, a
beautiful young English girl, the daughter
of the officer in command OF the Calcutta
barracks. wished TO bestow a ring up
on her, and she would have no otler
than this one. told her the curse that
seemed to be upon it, but she would not
listen; she insisted. gave her the ring,
and she died in my arms !" He bent his
head upon his breast and stared vacantly
at the dancing flames on the hearth.
"Show us the ring, old chap" said
Eastman earnestly, ignoring Laidlaw's
indignant glance. perhaps we can help
YOU"
''No one can help me now," returned
Bentley llstIessly as he arose and went
TO a small cabinet in the wall. Presently
! he returned with small ebony box,