Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1910-03-31

just before the younger mans de-
parture. he found the precious scarab
on the stairs. he told himself that t
served Paul right n he lost the trees
ures
At the moment he had no thought
OF retaining II. but when Paul. missing
the scarab. made inquiry. the profess
sor. why he would not say. denied
having seen IL. and the mischief was
done.
He told himself that he would pre-
tend TO hn6 IL before Paul left, but
now Paul was gone and the scarab
still reposed In the private compsft-
ment OF the professors safe. while the
/ finder went about with a heavy sense
OF guilt.
Not by any chance would II be pos
sible now 10 find" the missing treas
ure. and the impulse for a moment
had made him a thief.
The thought gave him an odd sense
I OF anger. He blamed not alone him
self but Paul. whose carelessness hud
made the theft possible. AT first he
I had argued that IL served Paul sight.
/ but now the tiny scarab had grown 20
/ the weight of a milestone about his
neck.
he did not dare TO take 1t out and
place IL ina his collection. he did not
T even dare 20 look al IL himself. lest
f Lena coming I'm suddenly. as was her
won't should discover him with the
I evidence OF guilt i'm his hand.
The evil that be had done prey ed
upon his health. He suddenly grew
very old and feeble and his eutau-
siasm for his collection wancd The
thought that his hobby had made OF
him a thief was bitter indeed. and in
the long silence OF the night ne tossed
. sleepless on his bed and cursed the
day he had seen the scarab ON the
stairs.
At last his condition became so
grave that Lena was alarmed The
professor would not consent 90 see
a physician re knew well enough
that no medical man could briue him
relief and as last resort Lena wrote
Paul asking him 90 come and sae
them
She said nothing of Paul's visit to
her father. and she arranged with
Paul to pretend that he had drcn. ed
or over one train 20 pay a short visit.
fauls first glance told him that mis-
host was laboriug under some GREAT
mental strain. and that nothing could
De done until that strain was relsov .d
With the idea OF diverting tho piofes-
sors attention from his cares he
brought out a scarab.
AT the sight OF it the professor Ialf
rose from the table and uttered a
hCarse cry OF surprise. The scar d
was the exact duplicate OF the one in
the secret compartment of the safe.
and. not prohung by experience. p4ri
I was carrying this in his wais' coat
pocket. as be had the other
There were two?" asked the lro-
fessor.
Dozens" declared Paul. Il owe
you an apology. professor. I had in-
tended 20 explain 81 before. but the
loss OF the other put IL out O. my mind
This is not rea scarab
III is copy 90 the others"
no. None OF them are genuine.
They are luck charms. You rcmcm-
Der Dud ellis OF '022 Well DE is sell
ing these as mascots. You must re-
member the ouija fad. this is a copy
10 that lou may have this one. i,
never brought me any luck
lie tossed the stone across the ta-
BILE and with trembling hands the
professor examined the gift ice would
have sworn Co its genuineuess. but
iu the face OF Pauls statement tbs
could not be SO.
He experienced an odd sense of zee
lief. He was uo less a thief tnolch
dread az that be would not Doe able
'o make restituuon ie passed tle
stone baCl 60 Paul
meant to tell sou that 2 fr1oG
tne other. Le said slowly. 20 s-as
wonderiug how to get 80 Go you."
Keep them both. tten" cried Paul
They brnE me no luck"
But t does" said the rroft ssor
earnestly 10 brings YOU the woman
you wish to marry. DO is better tlar
my collection should pass ru tle ml
scum. would not have mg dough
ters husband share nag craze Not
until lately have I come Go tlat con.
c.usion. and DO was this scarab -'l.
brought the belief about AFTER t.af
Eout So Etlat it brings uo iuck."
Luck, cried Paul. "Im -on OH
write nud fo put tine g. .. rr to q
cllIo ulallar-A Le C.. --ala..te.
llsr results lu every r.r
4le professor sfcl ...m o..
table. t.ee rnu care s- ist l.aI-
scarab had worked q cure.