Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-05-20
II i snla to have belonged to one ..

"'rhat would prove Invaluable when
examining witnesses" observed Mr..
ITanford. with twinkling eyes.
Il have thought of that" said FELTON,
quietly. Now that | have told you
about my find suppose some OF the
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 H." advised
Clayton. with n laugh
I'm willing TO, for one" agreed his
aunt. II want 10 test the verify OF Mr..
Feltons tradition. May II"
Certainly Miss Gray" returned Eel.
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 It's border"
"No. no. I wish to sit directly on the
carpet, Just like an eastern story tell
err" cried Miss Gray. and so she dis.
posed herself amid much merriment.
"Of course my story Is about n 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 It around the group
with an exclamation Of delight.
When II came TO Professor Trayle
he studied It long time with pecul.
lar smile on his kindly face.
"What is the inscription" asked the
professor quietly as he dropped 1t in
Miss Grays outstretched hand.
"Chaldcan 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. We'll. yesterday as I was
strolling among the baZaars / came to
the street of the sllversmiths. was
looking at the wares of one merchant
and trying TO select ring for my col
lection that might be very unique
when brown hand was thrust into
my own and left behind 1t this tur-
quoise ring
"IIow romanticg' breathed Mrs. Han.
ford softly.
"You would have thought so II You
could have seen the donor--a tall. very
thin man dressed I'm native costume.
| confess cannot place his national
ity. for he wore the baggy trousers
and loose garments of the Turk. the
mufiling burnoose Of the Arab"
did he wear green slippers. Miss
Gray?" asked Madeline Trayle. with
sudden interruption of the narrative.
"Yes: believe he did. for when he
left me looked after him. wondering
what 1t could all mean and thinking
there must be n mistake. All ! no
ticcd was his great height and his fly.
ing green slippers. And that is ALL"
mo, no." exclaimed Professor Trayle
"what did your stranger say? Are
we not TO know the whole story"
ut 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 cavalier?"
~ have forgotten" faltered Miss
Gray. her sweet face dropping.
ooh. Aunt Emelinel' chided Clay
ton. then hastily. "What Is the mat.
ter?"
Miss Gray was staring at them with
frightened eyes and closely locked lips.
10 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
spcaketh the truth then shall his
tongue be loosened.'" he said softly.
Miss Gray seemed 10 hear. for a lovely
smile broke over her face. and all at
once she spoke:
II 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?"
"pid IL really happenT Could you
not speak?" cried Mrs. Hanford nerv-
ously.
"Not n word until spoke the TRUTH"
avcrred Miss Gray solemnly.
"Then please put 1t away for to-
night" exclaimed Mrs. Hnnford
ITS growing late anyway" said
FELTON, practically. "'rhe moon has
disappeared. and | believe It 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
n quiet spot he halted. with her hand
In his arm.
Your cavaller-dld you recognize
him. Miss Grayf" he asked in a low
tone.
Eyes. professor" she said softly.
"You poor. shy. bashful man. where
did you get those wonderful gar