Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-04-30
The Hand of
Duddha
Story Of an Ivory BOX and
What IL Contained.
BY CLARISSA r1ACKIE
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

When John Lawrence was In China
he sent me. among other curios. a
quaint little box of carved ivory. 1t
was beautiful specimen of the car
yer's ari-aD airy fabric OF dclicately
wrought flowers. queer birds aud i'm
possible fishes. II the box really had
an opening the fastening was so art.
fully concealed that could not tind II
one night some months later, on
returning home from the thcnter. !
found my studio brilliantly lighted and
Lawrence occupying big chair before
the smoldcring fire.
Il returned today" he said In reply
to my delighted greeting. Been wait
ing here since . o'clock for you. Your
man said you had gone to the theater."
Yes" | replied. donning n dilapi-
dated smoking coat. Il have been TO
see 'Nanctte' and incidentally saw
| Miss Farnham."
1--WE are 10 be married in May" he
said without turning his head.
swallowed my establishment. for
had not known they were engaged
and. In fact, was deeply interested In
pretty Miss farnham myself. In spite
Of my chagrln | managed TO congratu-
late him warmly. and. joining him be-
fore the now rcplcnished fire.
Where is that ivory box sent you.
Dlckg"
Surprised and somewhat embarrass
ed. made no reply, but went to the
cupboard and brought the heavy it'll.
hox TO the table.
What The deuce Is the matter with
you:" he asked sharply as the box
struck the table with hollow. empty
sound.
Just what want TO know" re.
Piled GROSSLY
He stretched out his hand for the
box and tried 10 raise II from the III.
Bile. aud then. rs II surprised at its re.
sisiancc. lie arose aud lifted II with
both hands. looking ut me quccrly. Az
he dropped the box and we heard tho
hollow rattle rs II struck the table
we both laughed neryously and re-
suincd out seats. he staring into th
tire with wide open. startled eyes
Presently he spoke:
'''rhat box was given 10 me by
wealthy Chinaman whom have good
reason To believe hated me intensely
perhaps with reason. II was such a
dainty bit of carving that could not
resist accepting H. In fact. really
could not do otherwise without infring.
INK their elaborate social laws. When
he gave 1t /, me old Van ring told me
OF another pretty biz of carving. owned
by his brother. Il Chefu merchant.
lie gave me II strip of red paper COW
cred with hieroglyphics and told me
that on presenting II to his brother.
the nerchanl. could obtain the cher.
ished curio. | Went to my room In
Parkerson's bunralow-yon know
WIS staying with Patterson and plac-
ed the box before me- oil the table II
did moi Mciah more than few ounces
4 moment later my China boy entered
and uttered u cry Of fcar when he
saw the box. which he seemed io rec
uaiiize lie threw himself upon his
knees aud Lesged me 10 take the box
away: that ii was accursed and that
III luck would fall upon me and all
my house II .arbored II moment.
When | laughed ut him aud told him
about the IVORY hand thai had been
promised to me ! thought he would
30 uut Of his mind. lie pleaded that
| would ~ least send the box 10 Amer
lea before going down TO cbefu aft
or tile Other cmrio. Perhaps | was
little impressed by his actions: but.
anyway. my curiosity was aroused. aud
So ! agrees.. and he happily packed
the little box among your case of
goods and watched with great salts
faction while the coolies rolled the
case into the hold Of the ship The
day ngtcs that went down TO Chefu
and sccurci the hand of BuGdha.'
as the old ian called IL. He was
sly old hcgeiir ana up 10 some devil
try. | was positive. though not mus
Gle cf bis oily. yellow countenance
moved when presented my letter
The hand ! have brought home with
mo. and, ID spite OF my China boy,
warning that | would suffer unimag.
Unable III fortune II ever brought
the two objects. the hand and the box.
together, il Is my intention to do that
very thing tonight. The hand is pac..-
ed in my bag, and want you TO come
around 10 my rooms now and bring
the box aud we will lind what In the
devil that I'D rascal was up TO IL II
wasn't all hosh"
I assented reluctantly enough. for
was rather bored by the mysterious
box and just bit down in the mouth
about the news Of his engagement.
NOW t..at sou have consented" he
said cooily. I'm read you the letter
which Van Ping sent to his brother
or course these chaps exercise a lot
Of hocus pocus In all their affairs. and
was somewhat ABUSED ut the idea
OF their evident desire TO work me up
into fright After the old merchant
had read the letter | had II translated.
II seemed to throw the translator into
spasm ms he read H." He drew
from letter case a thin strip OF red