Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-04-19
v
The Hand of
Buddha
Story Of an Ivory Box ana
What 1t Contained.
By CLARISSA MACkIE
Copyright. 1910, by American Press
Association.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
When John Lawrence was in China
he sent ME, among other curios. q
quaint little box Of carved ivory. IL
was beautiful specimen of the car
yer's art-an airy fabric Of delicately
wrought flowers, queer birds and I'M
possible fishes. If the box really nad
an opening the fastening was so art
fully concealed that could not ina IT,
One night some months later. on
returning home from the theater.
found my studio brilliantly lighted and
Lawrence occupying big chair before
the smoldering fire.
81 returned today" he said In reply
to my delighted greeting. "been walt
ing here since 8 o'clock for you. Your
man said you had gone to the theater.
"Yes." | replied. donning dilapi-
dated smoking coat. II have been 10
see .Nanette' and incidentally saw
Miss Farnham."
1--WE are to be married in May" he
said without turning his head.
I swallowed my establishment, Tor
had not known they were engaged
and, in fact, was deeply interested in
pretty Miss Farnham myself. In spite
Of my chagrin l managed to congratu-
late him warmly, and, joining him be-
fore the now replenished fire.
"Where is that ivory box sent YOU
Dick?"
Surprised and somewhat embarrass-
ed. / made no reply, but went to the
cupboard and brought the heavy little
box 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 l want to know" re-
piled GROSSLY.
He stretched out his hand for the
box and tried to raise 1t from the Ia
BILE, and then. US II surprised at Its re-
sistance. he arose and lifted 1t with
both hands, looking at me queerly. AS
he dropped the box and we heard the
hollow rattle as 1t struck the table
we both laughed nervously and re-
sumed out seats. he staring Into the
fire with wide open, startled eyes,
Presently he spoke:
"That box was given to me by q
wealthy Chinaman whom / have good
reason to believe hated me intensely
perhaps with reason. 1t was such
dainty bit Of carving that could not
resist accepting 1t. In fact, l really
could not do otherwise without infring'
, ing their elaborate social laws. When
/ he gave It to ME old Van Ping told me
of another pretty bit Of carving. owned
by his brother. Chefu merchant
He gave me strip Of red paper Gov
cred with hieroglyphics and told Inc
that on presenting 1t to his brother
the merchant, could obtain the cher
| ished curio. went to my room II
| Parkerson's bungalow-you know
was staying with Parkerson-and plac
ed the box before me on the table. l,
did not weigh more than few ounces
A moment later my China boy entered
and uttered cry Of fear when he
saw the box. which he seemed to rec
ognize. He threw himself upon bis
knees and begged me to take the DO,
away; that 1t was accused and tina,
Ill luck would fall upon me and nj
my house IL | harbored 1t a moment
When | laughed ut him and told hin
about the ivory hand that had beer
| promised to me | thought he would
20 out Of his mind. He pleaded tina
| would at least send the box to Amer
lea before going down to Chefu aft
er the other curiO. Perhaps wa!
little impressed by his actions; but
anyway. my curiosity was aroused, ant
SO agreed, and he happily packed
the little box among your case o.
goods and watched with great salts
faction while the coolies rolled thu
case into the hold Of the ship. Th'
day after that | went down to Chef
and secured the hand Of Buddha'
as the old man called 1t. He was
sly old begSar and up to some devil
try. | was positive, though not mus
lie of his oily. yellow countenanc'
moved when presented my letter
The hand | have brought home witt
me. and. In spite Of my China boy
warning that | would suffer unimag
Unable Ill fortune II ever brough
the two objects. the hand and the box
together, 1t is my intention to do tina
very thing tonight. The hand Is pack
ed in my bag, and l want you to com
around to my rooms now and brini
the box, and we will find what IN tn
Levil that old rascal was up to If !
wasn't all bosh."
| assented reluctantly enough, for
was rather bored by the mysteriou
box and just bit down In the moutl
about the news of his engagement.
Now that you have consented" b.
said coolly. "Ill read you the lette
which Van Ping sent to his brother
OF course these chaps exercise 10
of hocus pocus in all their affairs, ant
| was somewhat amused ut the ide
Of their evident desire to work me u
into a fright. After the old merchan
had read the letter had 1t translated
1t seemed to throw the translator int
spasm AZ he read It," He dreN
from a letter case thin strip Of re
paper and slowly read: "'Give to tn
accursed American the hand Of But
dha. He has the sacred box. Tn
serpent grows rapidly"
The clocks were striking 2 as W
left my studio and made our wa
through the deserted streets to Law
tence's rooms. The unusual events o
The evening had combined to upset m.
nerves, and It was with q vague feel
Ing Of dread that accompanied hin
IN what seemed FOOLS errand. Ye
there was a decidedly uncomfortable
feeling that l could not suppress
Twice l looked behind me quickly, ant
twice l saw nothing but the long
sharp shadows cast by the electri'
lights. Lawrence seemed unconsciou
Of my mental excitement, for he strod
quietly by my side with bent head ant
hands In his pockets. 1t was a relic
to get into the warmly lighted vesti
bule, for there l no longer heard tn,
imaginary soft pad-pad Of feet behint
Us. had carried the box In hant
har and fts weight yas SlIch that