The Meeker herald., 1911-09-09
A Rug From
Mazandaran
H WeoAesjul Rewess
Ass vssiAsA
BY CLARlSSA MACKlE
Copyright BY American Press Asso-
nlA
BY CLARIssA MACKIE
Copyright By American Press Asso-
citation. Ia11.

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citation. 1M1.
Al 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 party Of sew
sral 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 Trayls 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. seekeSs after health and recrea-
lion; 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 I wanted to buy.
20 many queer. smelly. oriental look
ing boxes and Jars, such sweet silver
filisree work, and some Of 1t looked as
ago and worn by-who knowsT
"All that stun IL made right in the
basaars under your very noses." ex-
planned Arthur Clayton practically. IA
fellow told me all about it-how they
give 'em that aged look"
Don't tell me about It," cautioned
Miss Gray severely. II DON'T want
the romance knocked out Of my ad-
ventures. Really. Arthur. you do turn
things inside out In such 4 manner
wish I had left you at home! Can't
you realise you've been In the land Of
snchantment1 DID you never read
ysuR 'Asablan NigAtnf"
4 clayton jolaea In the laugh at his
own expense ard turned to Alexander
FELTON,.
II say. Mr.. FELTON,. we haven't heard
what you've been about for the last
month or two. You dropped OF at
Constantinople on the outward trip"
EYES," said FELTON,, II made a little
journey into Persia by way Of the
Black sea and Trebizond. I arrived
In ConstAntinople Just in time to catch
ny steamer"
"Persiar' exclaimed Madeline with
little catch Of the breath. "You
must have had q perfectly lovely time
oh, dad, I wish we might have gone
thsrer'
Professor Trayle exchanged a glance
with FELTON,. sounds very romantic,
my dear, but really the travelling Is
very rough-not at for a woman, eh.
Feltonf'
The other nodded. II rode horseback
most of the way from Trebizond to
Tehsran."
"Did you And any treasures, Eel
tonr' asked Hanford with interest.
you said you were after something
especially nice"
FELTON, hesitated as he glanced about
tho little group Of friendly faces. Then
he smiled as the call for dinner emp
tied the decks. after dinner, II you
will meet me here. l will show you
what l brought from Persia"
SIS there story in itr' asked Made
line n they moved toward the com.
panfonway.
"A Dozen" he said lightly. "You
may choose to add another" he con-
cluded in a lower tone
Somewhat mystined and with a
strange. sweet content in her heart,
Madeline avoided his eyes and went
below.
After dinner, when they had gather.
I'd about FELTON, on the moonlit deck,
where they sat apart, they demanded
that be show them his treasure from
Persia. For answer he drew from his
pocket a thick. square packet which
unfclded into rather large silky rug.
which he threw on the deck between
them.
"A Persian prayer rugr' cried Miss
Gray eagerly. "H0w perfectly lovely!
II No had known you were going you
might have fetched one for each Of us
IL you would have been 10 kind"
II would gladly have fulfilled such a
commission" said FELTON, graveiy.
But there happens to DO no other in
the world just like this one"
mot in the worldr' echoed Made
line dfeamily. Che leaned over and
touched the silky surface. exclaiming
At the silvery sheen melting into rose
ana ratn hlrsn and ~roou II a1~c.<