Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-05-20
A Rug From
Mazandaran
Its Wonderful Powers
Are Verified
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation, 1911.
BY CLARISSA MACKEE
opyright by American Press Assoc
citation. 1911.

As the steamer ureW away from
Constantinople and that fairy city and
the Golden Horn faded from view the
little group of tourists on the Neptune
turned 10 one another with 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
eral hundred travellers. and her charter
covered every port Of interest In the
orient. Constantinople was the last
stopping place. and now they were
homewnrd 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 few
days. MS 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 clover looking and very glad
10 he with Madeline Trayle once more.
There were James Hanford and his
wife. seekers after health and recrea
ton; Miss Emeline Gray. n middle
aged spInstcr. 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.
so many queer. smelly. oriental look
Ing boxes and. Jars. such sweet silver
hligree work. and some Of II looked ~
II II might have been made centuries
ago and worn by--who knows"
"All that stun 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. II don't want
the romance knocked out of my adj
ventures. Really. Arthur. you do turn
things inside out In such manner
wish I had left you at home! Can't
you realize you've been In the land OF
enchantmcnt? Did you never read
your Arabian Nightsr"
Clayton Joined in the laugh Mt 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 ut
Constantinople on the outward trip"
"Yes." said FELTON,. 81 made n little
Journey into Persia by way of the
Black sea and Trebizond. arrived
In Consiantinople just in time to catch
my steamer"
PERSIA exclaimed Madeline with
little catch OF the breath. You
must have had perfectly lovely time.
oh. dad. wish we might have gone
there!'
Professor Traylc exchanged n glance
with FELTON,. sounds very romantic,
my dear. hut really the travelling is
very rough-not ut for woman. eli.
Felton,"
The other nodded. Il rode horseback
most of the way from Trebizond TO
Teheran'
did you find any treasures Eel
ton?" asked IIanford with interest
you said you were after something
especially nice"
FELTON, hcsitatcd MS he glanced about
the little group Of friendly faces. Then
he smiled ms the call for dinner emp.
tied the decks. AFTER dinner. II you
will meet me here. will show you
what ] brought from Persia"
us there a story In IT." asked Made.
line ms they moved toward the com
paniOnway.
~ dozen.' he said lightly 'You
may choose 10 add another" he con.
cluded In n lower tone.
Somewhat mystified and with n
strange. sweet content I'm her heart.
Madeline avoided his eyes and Went
below.
After dinner. when they had gather
ed about FELTON, on the moonlii deck.
where they snt apart they demanded
that he show them his treasure from
Persia. For answer he drew from his
pocket n thick. square packet which
unfolded into rather large silky rug.
which he threw ON the deck between
them.
"A Persian prayer rug." cried Miss
Gray eagerly. How perfectly lovely.
II we had known you were going YOU
might have fetched one for each Of us
If you would have been so kind"
II would gladly have fulfilled such
commission" said FELTON, rravely
But there. happens 70 be no other IN
the world Just like this cne."
mot in the world!' echoed Made
line dreamlly. She leaned over and
touched the silky surface, exclaiming
at the silvery sheen melting into rose
and pale blue and green. II almost
seemed IA II the rug palpitated with
life. so changeablc were It's colors. 50
wonderful it's intricate weaving ami