Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1912-09-12
CHAPTER ~.
An Old Annuain4nnnn


aRwlessness OF our actions; so the
noted etymologist described oon-
science. II fell TO another distin-
Guished intellect to add that con
science makes towards OF US all. Az.
She may be overcome at times, side
tracked for any special desire that de-
mands clear way; but she's after US.
fast enough. with that battered red
lantern OF hers, which. brought down
from all tongues crisply into our own.
Teads-"DOnt do ST." She herself Is
not wholly without cunning. She rare
ay stands boldly upon the track 20 flag
rs as we come. She realizes that she
might be permanently ditched. No: II
"a Tar safer TO run after US and catch
as. A disgressiOn, perhaps, but moro
pertinently an application
Temptation then no longer at his
shoulder, George began TO have
uualms. little chaps, who started bug
sing into his moral ears with all that
naddening. lnterminable drone which
makes one marvel however do school
teachers survive their first terms
Among these Qualms there was none
that pleaded for the desolate Turk or
his minions whose carelessness had
made the theft possible. For all George
cared. the Moslem might grind his
eorehead IN the soulless sand and
make the air pRlpitate with his plants
20 Allah. No. The disturbance was
due 10 the fact that never before had
he been Willingly the purchaser OF
stolen goods. He never tried 20 gloze
over the subtle distinction between
knowing and suspscting: and n he had
been variously suspicious in regard to
certain past bargains. conscience had
dound no sizeable wedge for her de-
murrers. The Yhiordes was confessed
ay stolen.
He paused. with his hand upon the
door-knob OF his room. II he didn't
keep the rug. II would fall into the
hands OF a collector less scrupulous.
10 return IL 20 the Pasha Al BaRdsd
would be pure folly. and thankless. Il
was one OF the most beautiful weav-
Sings In existence. Il WIS as priceless
IN fits way as any Raphael in the Vati-
can. And he desired its possession IN
tenseiy- Why mott Insidious phrasei
Was Sc not better that the world
should see and learn what a wonderful
craft the making OF a rare rug had
been. than TO allow II 20 return 90 the
Eordid chamber or a harem. 10 newt
able ruin? AS Ryanne said. what the
deuce was a fanatical Turk or Arab
70 him?
Against these spscious arguments in
Favor OF becoming the adventurerss
abettor and accomplish. there was
nrst the possible stain or blood. The
pnan agreed that he had come away
from Bagdad in doubt. George did
mot Ike the thought OF blood stu
ne had collected n hundred emeraIds.
not one OF which was without its red
record Again. II he carried the rug
nome with his other purchases. he
could pull It through the customs only
Dy lying. which was SIS distasteful TO
his mind as being a receiver OF stolen
goods.
ne had already paid a goodly sum
against the purchase; and Il was not
likely that q man who was down TO
reversing bis collars and cuffs would
take back the rug and refund the
money. The Yhiordes was his. hap
pen what might. So conscience snufed
out her red lantern and retired.
Some light steps. a rustic. and he
wheeled in time to see a woman open
door. stand for a minute IN the flN
light, and disappear II was she.
George opened the door OF his own
room. threw the rug inside. and tip
Foed HIong the corridor. stopping for
ME bTiefest time to ascertain the
plumber OF that room. He felt vastly
more guilty in performing this harm
less act than in smotheFing his men
tor.
There was no one in the baad,poFe
fes's bureau; thus. unobserved and an,
embarrassed, he was free to inspect
the gueEt-list- Fortune Chedsoye. He
nac never seen name quite like that.
8ts quaintness did not suggest TO him.
ss Il had done 10 Ryanne, the pas
toral, the bucoiie. Rather It remind
ed him or the old Preach courts. OF
TaDiers and buckles, Of powdered WIGS
and furbelows, masks, astrologers.
s0Vs-intrigues, OF all those colorful.
Enutable scenes 20 charminEly de
scr1esd by the genial narrator Of the
xpsoits Of D'Artzgnan. And abruptly
80 q this age Of L.ehr1n, Wattaau
ecssesa. reached an ioa-oold hand. d
ANt e1easig ee4geR wesnT haF fstkeF,
la ~ - xeAal- -.