Putnam patriot., 1911-03-31

somewhat surprised hv the request. There: will place this chair over the carpet. and you may sit there with your feet well within it's border" ''No. "o. l wish 10 sit directly on the carpet. just Ike an eastern story tell CT" cried Miss Gray. and so she dis posed herself amid much merriment. of course my story Is about a ring" she began. This is ,ite one picked it up in Constantinople only yesterday. and it involved an adventure" She gave the ring 10 Mrs Hanford. and that lady passed it around the group with an exclamation of delight.
 When il came 10 Professor Trayle he studied il long time with pecul- far smile on his kindly face. What is the inscription ?" asked the professor quietly as he dropped 1t 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.
 Il had forgotten that I must tell it." said Miss Gray. slipping the ring on her finger. Well. yesterday as l was strolling among the bazaars l came to the street of the silversmiths. I 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
 t,o ford softly.
 You would have thought so if you could have seen the donor-a tall, very thin man dressed in a native costume. I confess l cannot place his national ity, for he wore the baggy trousers and loose garments of the Turk. the muffling burnoose of the Arab"
 Did he wear green slippers. Miss GrayT asked Madeline Trayle. with sudden interruption of the narrative.
 "Yes: believe he did, for when he left me looked after him. wondering what it could all mean and thinking there must be mistake. All I no- ticed was his great height and his fly. ing green slippers. And that is all"
 No. nor exclaimed Professor TrayIe What did your stranger say? Are we not to know the whole story"
 Tt was nothing-only some silly rubbish you would not care to hear" evaded Miss Gray.
 Aunt Emeline. you are sitting on the carpet of truth" reminded her nephew. What said your cavalier?"
 q have forgotten" faltered Miss Gray. her sweet face dropping
 "Oh. Aunt Emeiner chided Clay ton. then hastily. What is the mat. ter?''
 Miss Gray was staring at them with frightened eyes and closely locked lips, to which she pointed with a 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
  once she spoke:
 'I will tell the truth. He said: Wear this for me It is Chaldean stone and came from the tomb of high priest Then he ran away. Now that I have told the truth nay I not leave this carpet?''
 Did it really happen? Could you not speak?" cried Mrs. Hanford nerv- ously.
 Not a word until spoke the truth" averred Miss Gray solemnly.
 Then please put it away for to- night" exclaimed Mrs. Hanford.
 Its growing late anyway" said Felton practically. "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 GrayT' he asked in a low tone.
 "Yes. professor" she said softly. You poor, shy, bashful man. where did you get those wonderful gar mentsf'
 "I always wear them on such occa- sions to better mingle with the peo- pie. Er-Emeline-how about the ring. eh?'
 T am wearing it. Is that not enough?" 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.
 q told you before dinner l would ask you to add another story to those connected with this prayer carpet" he said tenderly "I want il to be the beautiful story of our love. Can you love me. Madeline? Will you love me?''
 Madeline stretched ont her hands to his. with a signing little laugh. "1 am standing here. Alex. and l must tell the truth Yes, I can. and 1 will. You know the rest"
 Cards on Sunday.