The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-04-06

pule. for there l no longer heard the
imaginary soft pad-pad of feet behind
us. had carried the box in n hand
bag, and its weight was such that
was glad to turn 1t over to my host,
who excused himself and disappeared
into the smoking room. Presently he
returned.
l saw that something was on his
mind.
See here, Dick" he began seriously,
"Grace-NIiss F;.rnham-is not aware
of my return. If | should be taken
i'll or anything she must not know the
circumstances. Give her this letter,
which will explain enough. If nothing
happens forget ii all like the good fell
low you are. And rs he clasped my
hand and looked into my eyes l knew
that he had guessed my secret.
Now for the hand of Buddha." he
cried, with a laugh, and together we
entered the handsome smoking room.
1t was Il large room, crowded with
treasures from every quarter of the
globe. In the middle Of the room stood
with squares Of ivory like n checker
board. On it stood the hand of
Buddha. 1t was the size of an in
fant's hand and carved from solid
piece of ivory, yellowed with unknown
age. The curved. long nailed fingers
clasped the stem of a delicately carved
flower. 1t was horrible object 1t
looked like dead hand.
l could not repress my excitement
as Lawrence locked the door and babe
me bring him the box from divan
where he had placed 1t. | was sur
prised TO see that his face was white
and strained and that his hands trem-
bled as he took the box from my grasp
He placed 1t on the table, and we tool
up our station near the door. botl
looking eagerly Mt the table. The air
seemed hea'-y with some strong per-
| fume. but mat was undoubtedly the
result of the long closed room with
its sandalwood furniture and scented
hangings
Suddenly the table seemed to sway
slightly and the hand toppled over,
striking the box. and then Lawrence
| sprang back. with hoarse shout. as
the curved fingers loosened their hold
on the flower and twined around aud
chung to the box. Gropingly they
crawled over the carved flowers and
| birds: then. rs we gaZed breathlessly.
a faint vapor curled around the edges
of the box. 1t grew In volume, and
/ heard Lawrence unlock the door be
hind us. Then the lid raised At first
! could not see the object that pro
| truded itself Then It's horrible form
| grew on my sight. The long. sinuous
body of a serpent as large around as
my arm issued from that tiny caskct
Its red fangs were like crimson stains
on the milky Wilderness of its skin 1t
raised itself far above the table, the
hideous head swaying to and fro, its
| green eyes cleaning like jewels In the
semidarkneSs of the room and pierre
Ing the faint vapor that surrounded
| It. The incense seemed overpowcr-
ing, and felt that was losing con.
seriousness when Lawrence raised a
revolve"
| My hand was on the knob when he
! fired. crimson stream flowed from
| the hideous thing. but still II raised lis
length into the air Lawrence fred
| again and yelled for me to open the
door As | did so heard strangled
cry and turned to see Lawrence fall
ing to the floor, the white serpent
| coiled tightly around his body Grasp
| ing Turkish scimiter that hung on
| the wall beside me and mad with rage
and grief. thrust the cleaning knife
| again and again into the sinuous body
| of the reptile. which never relaxed It's
| hold It's head still uplifted. with red
| fanged mouth and jeweled eyes. Sud
| denly everything turned black before
me. and | lost consciousness. When
| ! rcgained my senses the light was
still burning dimly. The window dra-
| peries were stirring softly, and, to my
| Joy, ] heard Lawrence's voice calling
in strained unnatural tones. He was
slowly struggling to his feet. aud |
arose and vent to his assistance. His
face WAS CHASTITY, and around his
IIlfOHl, UDoNt HIS IbN NdS
dull purple line He pointed 10 the
floor as he sank feebly into a chair.
The white serpent was gone. but on
the dark rug lay a long chain com
posed of countless small disks of ivory
strung tegeth her Oh n silken cord. The
scimiter hay beside ii, the blade spot
less and shining. The air was still
heavy With II strange. subtle perfume
that clouded our senses and rendered
the occurrences of the past hour uu-
real. On the table lay the ivory box
empty The hand of Buddha was gone
Near the open window and in the
shadows OF the stirring draperies lay
a green silk cap In the middle OF which
was sewed a curious jeweled button.
insignia OF a mandarin's rank. As |
leaned over to pick II up yellow hand
with curying, clawlike nails darted
across the low sill and then disap
peared into the outer shadows bearing
the green cap.
Lawrence lived week, and before
he died he told me the story OF Van
Ping and then ] knew that the pun
isbment that had been melted out to
my friend was well deserved, and
could not avenge BIN because of that
other one who had been justly aveng-
ed.
Dividing Something.
A farm labGrer In one Of the west
ern counties was requested to vote for