Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-07-15

Muy 4 uuNe II Tor a DAY or two,
Bentley" asked Eastman after awhile.
Certainly Keep 1t as long as you
like, but remember that It will bring
you nothing but evil and evil IN Its
most bitter form. You have wife
and child, and you should not risk dis.
aster."
II will take my chances" returned
Eastman, with confident smile. II
believe | know how to handle 1t, old
man."
Remember, warned you. East
man. and Laidlaw is witness to my
warning" said Bentley. raising bag
gard face toward them.
THAT'S all right, Bentley. And now
my advice is to go to bed and get a
good nights rest. You are all tired out
with your long journey and with the
recital of your painful narrative. I
believe can help you, and will"
They shook hands cordially with
their host, but It was not until they
had emerged upon the street that
Laidlaw spoke.
THAT was rather rough of you,
Eastman" he said Indignantly. After
he told you the story of the girl you
should have let the matter drop. He's
all broken up over the matter"
Wouldn't you help him IL you
couldT' asked Eastman quietly,
''Of course | would, but he can't be
helped He's either the victim OF a
series Of remarkable condolences or
else the ring is poisoned one"
you are wrong In both Instances,
Laidlaw, have theory which | will
work out, and then I win call upon you
to congratulate me-" The scientist
spoke with an air of confidence that
impressed his companion.
81 hope you will. Eastman" cried
Laidlaw earnestly. but you can't
bring back the dead. You know, and
that's what the matter with Bentley"
wait and see," was the reply as
Eastman turned In at his gate. When
he reached his laboratory In the top OF
the house he flung his coat and hat
upon a chair and drew the ebony box
from his pocket. Then with a power
full glass he examined the maharajah's
ring with frownlng brow that denoted
the intentness OF his interest.
With long drawn sigh he carefully
replaced the ring In the ebony box;
letters, which he was careful to post
that night In spite of the lateness of
the hour.
Several months passed. during which
no mention was made Of the amethyst
ring Bentley lounged about his rooms.
moody and distracted. while Laidlaw
dropped In now and then for few
brief words Of cheer an he made his
busy rounds. Eastman came, too. and
had long, quiet talks with Bentley,
during which he strove to learn more
Of the life which Bentley had spent IN
India, but be never mentioned the
maharaJahs ring
Then one day several months after
the evening Of Bentley's return from
India the three men gathered ut East
mans suggestion IN the formers
study, Eastman In his corner by the
fire, Laidlaw stretched Ia n steamer
chair aud Bentley lOunglng IN great
leathern chair with his feet on the |
skin Of the tiger that had threatened |
the life OF the maharajah. They talked
upon Indifferent subjects for awhile. |
and then Eastman said carelessly:
by the way, Bentley. have discov-
cred the mystery of the ring"
"Whatw Bentley sprang to his feet
and then passed hand absently |
across his brow. you have discovered |
the mystery Of the-ringr lie STAN
mered.
Certainly" replied Eastman cheer
fully "YOu remember the day you
saved the life OF the mabaraJahT
Surely"
at was q hot day" said Eastman
quietly.
80 It was. COnfound 1t all, but |
can't remember much about that day
except that they told inc | saved the
maharaJah's life. I was glad Of that"
said Bentley simply.
"Can you bear shock, old manr'
asked Eastman kindly.
what Is III Yes, I can bear any.
thing"
you are mistaken about the deadly
character Of the ring, Bentley" He
spread three letters written on thin
foreign paper on his knee and went
on: "The old mabaraJah Of no matter
what writes me be Ii enjoying excel.
lent health; Mrs. Fltz- Norton, the wife
of the scoundrelIy army man, II
cheerful widow; young Ellsworth Ia
as husky and alive ms he ever was,
and the only man who toppled over ct
the Calcutta club that night was your
self, for It was the evening OF the day
OF the tiger hunt, and you had suffered
a sunstroke on that day, aud you have
forgotten and imagined things ever
since. You are all right now"
A look Of Intense relief spread over
Bentley's face, his eyes frightened.
and he looked from IIaidlaw's bewil-
dered countenance to Eastmans face
Of quiet strength THANK God" he
said. Then, with boyish eagerness, he
cried, And Muriel-Muriel Vivian-my
love what OF herr
why" laughed Eastman. with sym.
pathetic moisture IN his eyes, Miss
Vivian and her father are registered
at the 81. Alexis, | believe. and
nut nanflav haA aal1aH al. ~ ga