Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-03-11


Hanford, with twinkiing eyes.
II have thought OF that" said FELTON,
quietly. NOW that l have told you
about my find suppose some of tho
rest of you relate what Is the greatest
treasure you have discovered in your
travels"
"And be sure to sit on the carpet OF
truth while you're telling It." advised
clayton, with laugh.
'I'm willing to, for one" agreed his
aunt. 81 want to test the verify OF Mr..
Felton's tradition. May If'
Certainly. Miss Gray" returned Fell
ton courteously, although apparently
somewhat surprised by the request.
There; will place this chair over the
carpet, and you may sit there with
your feet well within its border"
"No. no. wish to sit directly on the
carpet. just like an eastern story tell
err" cried Miss Gray. and 80 she dis
posed herself amid much merriment.
"Of course my story is about a ring"
she began. This Is the one. picked
II up in Constantinople only yesterday.
and It involved an adventure" She
gave the ring to Mrs. Hanford. and
that lady passed II around the group
with an exclamation OF delight.
When II came to Professor Trayle
he studied II long time with pecul-
lar smile on his kindly face.
what is the inscription" asked the
professor quietly as he dropped It In
Miss Gray's outstretched hand.
"Chaldean. SO he told me-" replied
that lady, dreamily regarding the ring.
HE? Now for the adventure" teas
ed Clayton.
II had forgotten that must tell It,"
said Miss Gray, slipping the ring on
her finger. well, yesterday as was
strolling among the bazaars l came to
the street OF the silversmiths. was
looking at the wares OF one merchant
and trying to select a ring for my col
lection that might be very unique
when a brown hand was thrust into
my own and left behind 1t this tur-
quoise ring" y
"How romanticr breathed Mrs. Han
ford softly
"You would have thought so II you
could have seen the donor-a tall. very
thin man dressed in a native costume.
confess cannot place his national
ity, for he wore the baggy trousers
and loose garments of the Turk. the
muffiing burnoose of the Arab"
did he wear green slippers. Miss
GrayT asked Madeline Trayle, with
sudden interruption of the narrative.
Eyes: I believe he did, for when he
left me looked after him. wondering
what II could all mean and thinking
there must be a mistake. All I no.
ticed was his great height and his n.y..
ing green slippers. And that ia ALL"
mo, nor exclaimed Professor Trayle.
"what did your stranger say2 Are
we not to know the whole story?'
at was nothing-only some silly
rubbish you would not care to hear"
evaded Miss Gray.
Aunt Emellne. you are sitting on
the carpet of truth" reminded her
nephew. what said your cavalierf
81 have forgotten" faltered Miss
Cray, her sweet face dropping.
"Oh, Aunt Emeliner' chided Clay
ton, then hastily. What Is the mat
teri"
Miss Grny was staring at them with
frightened eyes and closely locked lips,
TO which she pointed with hopeless
gesture Cant you speak?" roared
Clayton.
She shook her head despairingly.
Then Alexander Fenton's voice broke
the silence. When he spoke he seemed
to be quoting from some authority
which no one recognized. "'He who
speaketh the truth then shall his
tongue be loosened.'" he said softly.
Miss Gray seemed to hear, for lovely
smile broke over her face. and all at
once she spoke:
al will tell the truth He said: Wear
this for me. II Is Chaldean stone
and came from the tomb of high
priest Then he ran away. Now that
have told the truth may not leave
this carpet?"
Ibid it really happen? Could you
not speakf' cried Mrs. Hanford nerv-
ously.
''Not word until spoke the truth"
averred Miss Gray solemnly.
Then please put II away for to-
night" exclaimed Mrs. Hanford.
ITS growing late anyway" said
FELTON, practically. 1.-THE moon has
disappeared. and believe 1t is blow
ing up squall"
Hanford and his wife, followed by
young Clayton. moved forward, while
Professor Trayle walked quietly by
Miss Gray's side. When they were in
a quiet spot he halted. with her hand
In his arm.
"Your cavalier-did you recognize
him. Miss Grayr' he asked In a low
tone
Eyes. professor" she said softly.
"You poor, shy. bashful man. where
did you get those wonderful gar
mentsf"
81 always wear them on such occa-
sions to better mingle with the peo-
pie. Err Emeline-h about the ring,
eh?"
II am wearing It. Is that not
enoughT' she whispered.
Back In the darkness Madeline
Trayle was standing on the carpet of
truth talking to FELTON, about the
strange demonstration they had wit
messed.
81 told you before dinner would
ask you to add another story to those
connected with this prayer carpet he
said tenderly II wnnt It to be the
beautiful story OF our love. Can you