The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-03-07
A Rug From
Mazandaran
Its Wonderful Powers
Are Verified
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

AS the steamer drew away from
Constantinople and that fairy city and
the Golden Horn faded from view the
little group of tourists on the Neptune
turned to one another with a cheerful
sense of companionship born Of many
days spent on board the hospitable
vessel and other days employed in
pleasant excursions ashore.
The Neptune carried a party Of sew
eral hundred travellers, and her charter
covered every port of interest In the
orient Constantinople was the last
stopping place, and now they were
homeward bound
Professor Trayle and his pretty
daughter Madeline were Joined by sew
eral others whom they had found
congenial during the tour. At times
they had been separated for a few
days. as each party followed its own
particular itinerary beyond the princi-
pal stopping places. Once more they
gathered their steamer chairs into
close proximity about the professor
and fell to talking of the city they had
just left
There was Alexander FELTON,, tall and
lean and clever looking and very glad
to be with Madeline Trayle once more.
There were James Hanford and his
wife. seekers after health and recrea-
ton; Miss Emeline Gray, a middle
aged spinster. whose fad was collect
ing odd rings from every country she
visited. and lastly there was young
Arthur Clayton. Miss Gray's nephew.
II Just hated to leave Constantine
ple," sighed Mrs. Hanford, there were
such heaps Of things wanted to buy.
so many queer, smelly. oriental look
ing boxes and Jars. such sweet silver
filigree work, and some Of it looked as
II 1t might have been made centuries
ago and worn by-who knows"
"All that stuff is made right in the
bazaars under your very noses" ex-
planned Arthur Clayton practically. "a
fellow told me all about it-how they
give 'em that aged look"
Don't tell me about it." cautioned
Miss Gray severely. IT don't want
the romance knocked out Of my ad-
ventures. Really, Arthur. you do turn
things inside out in such manner I
wish had left you at home! Can't
you realize you've been In the land Of
enchantment? Did you never read
your Arabian NightsT"
Clayton Joined in the laugh at his
own expense and turned to Alexander
FELTON,
Il say. Mr.. FELTON,, we haven't heard
what you've been about for the last
month or two. You dropped off at
ConstantinopIe on the outward trip"
yes" said FELTON,. Il made a little
Journey into Persia by way Of the
Black sea and Trebizond. l arrived
in Constantinople just In time to catch
my steamer"
"Persiap exclaimed Madeline with
little catch of the breath. "You
must have had perfectly lovely time.
Oh. dad. wish we might have gone
therei"
Professor Trayle exchanged glance
with FELTON, Sounds very romantic,
my dear, but really the travelling is
very rough-not fit for woman, Ell.
Felton,"
The other nodded. IT rode horseback
most of the way from Trebizond to
Teheran"
did you find any treasures, Eel
tonT' asked Hanford with interest
you said you were after something
especially NICE
FELTON, hesitated as he glanced about
the little group of friendly faces. Then
he smiled as the call for dinner emp
tied the decks After dinner, If you
will meet me here, will show you
what brought from Persia"
as there story in itY' asked Made.
line as they moved toward the com
panionway
"A Dozen" he said lightly. You
may choose to add another he con-
cluded in lower tone.
Somewhat mystified and with
strange, sweet content in her heart,
Madeline avoided his eyes and went
below
After dinner. when they had gather
ed about FELTON, on the moonlit deck,
where they sat apart, they demanded
that he show them his treasure from
Persia. For answer he drew from his
pocket a thick. square packet which
unfolded into rather large silky rug.
which he threw on the deck between
them.
"a Persian prayer rugp cried Miss
Gray eagerly. How perfectly lovely!
If we had known you were going you
might have fetched one for each of us
If you would have been so kind"
81 would gladly have fulfilled such a
commission" said FELTON, gravely.
But there happens to be no other in
the world just like this one"
mot in the world!'' echoed Made
line dreamily. She leaned over and
touched the silky surface. excIaiming
at the silvery sheen melting into rose
and pale blue and green. It almost
seemed as if the rug palpitated with
life, so changeable were its colors, so
wonderful its intricate weaving and
delicate harmony Of pattern.
''Tell us about 1t. FELTON,, IL you don't
mind" suggested the professor after a
little pause
ut can be told in a few words.
heard OF its presence In an obscure vii
lage in Mazandaran"
HAS it a history" asked Mrs. Han
ford.
at Is called the carpet of truth
1t is said to have belonged to one of
the favorites Of an ancient ruler, and
Its principal virtue is that whoever
Eits upon ii Is compelled to tell the
truth while he sits thereon
"That would prove Invaluable when
examining witnesses" observed Mr..
Hanford. with twinkling eyes
II 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 it." advised
Clayton, with laugh.
I'm willing to, for one," agreed his !
aunt II want to test the verify Of Mr..
Felton's tradition. May TT
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 its border"
mo, no. l 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 ring"
she began. '"This is the one. / picked |
1t up in ConstantinopIe only yesterday,
and it involved an adventure" She |