Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-02-10

couldn't he have had an Uncle Horace For now the
money has spoiled it all and Just hate it"
1t quite beyond Tan-Shins comprehension. Ger
tanly Helen had wanted money but the possession of it
made her unhappy than Also, she said tina.
she hated it, which unique condition that he could
not conceive Of but-worst Of ALT seemed that be-
much to Tan Shin.
For the next two weeks he pondered over the prob
lem while Helen packed her steamer trunk and prepared
to leave the studio for indefinite time
The final day Of parting arrived and Jack with
grave face came for her.
Goodbye, my little god she whispered softly to
Tan-Shn take of him for me while | am ava,
and keep me always in his THOUGHTS"
So she had gone, and n-shin knew that Jack woulo
presently return alone take UP his abode hae His
reasoning over the Of tiees departure had Leo
HIM to severa concius ions, and lie intended profit bJ
the experience in the future he money was, without
doubt the OF all the difficulty Therefore Helen's
unhappiness and her ultimate abandonment Of him were
traceablc to his interference her affairs But Jack had
forced her to go abroad and entirely responsible
for her tears. Thus Tan-Shin concluded first. that
money ard trouble were synonymous in this strange
country, and second that he dslked Jack cordially
Then he remembered that Helen had tod HIM in her
first conversation the subject that money would be
Jacks ruin. Very we'll then, money Jack should have
Shin would be pleased. Money with all its attendant
difficulties should pour in upon this despoer OF his
shrine and Tan-Shn soated over his prospective
There was only one possible chance that these plans
would mscarry In the event Of Jacks negecting him
or failing to show any respect these schemes would be
useless for it was necessary that the recipient Of hi
bounty should be worshpper. Therefore, the god
waited anxiousy for the coming of his victim.
Jack arrived after dark and closed the door behind
him with bang She's gone, little god he said,
gone gone, gone and we'll be mighty lonesome with
Tan Shin watching intently Jack take what he
thought white stick out of box and put it into
she lit the gas But Jack held the light to the white
stick between his lips for moment and then blew
so that Tan Shin could only see bright burning poin-
tel and little cloud OF smoke enveloped the god
Incense was Tam Sims first thought, His onged-
for incense had come at last, and although was not
the kind which he accustomed ST. i. was in
cense. He knew that Jack vas Jorshiprjnf and he
CIT - o~olt vibrations with al the enctsy Of the old
ing and then dsconsolatey 4 the absent Helen
growing at his poverty, little dreaming that Tan-Shn
porous.
It was not until the cigarette had been thrown away
pected demonstration on Jacks part had, for the
ment, really put all thought OF retaliation Of hi!
mind, and he had worked his spells quite mechanically
He was Disconnected therefore, when the truth cam
to him that in for this incense he would only be
giving trouble but this did not bother him long for
being god OF riches, and possessing consistent at
tributes he was, OF course, deficient in gratitude
He had used his most potent endeayors and knew
that results might be expected he watched
pleased in anticipation OF the results. But Tan-Shn
was hardly prepared for what happened Jack read the
letter with delight jumped his feet and strobe up and
down the room with every evidence OF keenest JOY.
Then he stopped before the nantel-
"You foxy old god" he said irreverently. I've won
the gold medal, and that means money. You don't IN
derstand no would but Helen and she's gone Pity
that boat couldn't have waited day later Never mind
old boy maybe this luck will keep up and, il it does I'll
be going over there to bring her back
In the three months that followed, Tan Shin received
almost daily evidence OF his failure in the that
he had planned. Instead OF the expected trouble Jack
seemed to radiate happiness and went about MS work
singing or whisting the veong day. Also he was very
studio who would sit patiently while he painted them
and as each canvas went out of the door Jacks spirits
became and more buoyant. Then, to Tan Sims
utter perplexity Jack made another revelation.
during the incense ceremony only little more none;
Yes. you're going too you silly old idol. You may be
lovegod Helen insists, although you don't look the
but to i haTs soa h pfs % aeco ss
just bit bigger off we 60
Tan-Shin ceased speculate upon the happenings in
understand the absolutely diverse conditions that the
possession of money seemed to produce Jack instead
of being ruined by wealth. Helen had positively pre-
dicted, hrove on it and wanted more. Therefore, the
god sclfshy il must be admitted since he wanted to see
b Hs o; FIX pmatsd I"t s and did
One bright morning Jack took Tan-Shin down from,
the mante Were going to her, and start this very
day, you tat old thing Don't you dare break he ex.
claimed joyilly. Then he wrapped large bath towel
about the god and very carefully put him away in
of the steamer trunk.
Tan-shin a little hurt because it was wholly
evident that they had been talking long time together
before they ever thouW OF lh on. az last JACK TOOK
him from his resting place and brought him to her She
sccrca happy ard looked radiant that he said
thai I'D Chinese word several times When she reached
out to take him
I'm so glad you brought him" she said to lack,
holding TanShin adnirngy in front OF her, I'm sure
he's love-god now.
Nonsense!" answered Jack; 81 loved you long be-
fore you ever saw the old bird
Eyes. but | never knew it till he came" said Helen,
land any rate take OF him for luck
Oh, he's lucky little besear all right, replied Jack
and we'll take all kinds of OF him, but he didnt
have anything to do with my loving YOU, and he put
his arm about her.
Then Helen held Shin close to her and whispered
in his ear: You're my little god, anyhow, and Fm sure
you are a ove-god, which is the very best kind OF
god to be-"
Tan Shin puzzled his brain these words for a
long time.
at is strange" he concluded finally for have al
ways been god of riches and scorned those gods OF
love but in this new country to have much in
common"