Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-07-31
CHAPTER ~.
An Old Acquaintance.

CHAPTER ~.
An Old Acquaintance.
That faculty which decides on the
lawlessness of our actions: 80 the
noted etymologist described oon-
science. 1t fell to another distin-
guished intellect to add that con-
science makes towards Of US all. ,Ay.
She may be overcome at times. side
tracked for any special desire that de-
mands clear way; but she's after ue.
fast enough. with that battered red
lantern Of hers, which. brought down
from all tongues crisply into our own.
reads-"Don't do it," She herself is
not wholly without cunning. She rare
~ stands boldly upon the track to nag
US as We come. She realizes that she
might be permanently ditched. No; 1t
ls far safer to run after US and catch
1s. A disgression. perhaps. but moro
pertinently an application.
Temptation then no longer at his
shoulder. George began to have
qualms. little chaps. who started buzz
ling into his moral ears with all that
naddening, interminable drone which
makes one marvel however do school
teachers survive their first terms.
Among these qualms there was none
hat pleaded for the desolate Turk or
his minions whose carelessness had
made the theft possible. For all George
cared, the Moslem might grind his
,orehead in the soulless sand and
make the air palpitate with his plants
20 Allah. No. The disturbance was
due to the fact that never before had
he been Willingly the purchaser Of
stolen goods. He never tried to gloze
over the subtle distinction between
knowing and suspecting; and if he had
:een variously suspicious in regard to
certain past bargains. conscience had
ound no sizeable wedge for her de-
nurrers. The Yhiordes was confessed
stolen.
He paused. with his hand upon the
ioor.knob Of his room. If he didn't
'seep the rug, It would fall into the
lands OF a collector less scrupulous.
20 return 1t to the Pasha at Basdad
Yould be pure folly, and thankless. II
vas one Of the most beautiful weav-
ngs In existence. It was as priceless
q its way as any Raphael in the Vati-
an. And he desired its possession In
ensely. Why not? Insidious phrase!
Vas it not better that the world
hould see and learn what a wonderful
raft the making Of rare rug had
been, than to allow 1t to return to the
iordid chamber Of \ harem, to fnevit-
,ble ruin? AZ Ryanne said. what the
,euce was q fanaucal Turk or Arab
o him?
Against these specious arguments In
.avor Of becoming the adventurer's
abettor and accomplish. there. was
irst the possible stain Of blood The
nan agreed that he had come away
rom Bagdad in doubt. George did
aot like the thought Of blood. Still.
Re had collected hundred emeralds.
not one Of which was without its red
record. Again. II he carried the rug
home with his other purchases, he
could pull 1t through the customs only
by lying. which was as distasteful to
his mind ~ being . receiver Of stolen
goods.
He had already paid . goodly sum
against the purchase; and It was not
likely that a man who was down to
reversing his collars and cuffs would
take back the rug and refund the
money. The Yhiordes was his. hap
pen what might. So conscience snuned
out her red lantern and retired.
Some light steps, q rustic, and he
wheeled in time to see q woman open
door. stand for . minute in the full
light, and disappear. 1t was she.
George opened the door Of his own
room. threw the rug inside, and tip
toed along the corridor. stopping for
the briefest time to ascertain the
number Of that room. He felt vastly
more guilty in performing this harm
less act than in smothering his men
tor.
There was no one in the head-por.
ter's bureau; thus, unobserved and nm.
embarrassed. he was free to inspect
the guest-list. Fortune Chedsoye. He
had never seen . name quite like that.
It's quaintness did not suggest to him.
| - A1oA UNIV " ny 0AAOS w. wv
toral, the bucolic. Rather It remind.
cd him Of the old French courts. Of
rapiers and buckles. Of powdered wigs
and furbelows. masks. astrologers
love-intrigues, Of al those colorful
mutablo scenes 20 charmingly de-
scribed by, the genial narrator Of the
exploits Of D'AItagnan. And abruptly
out Of this age Of Lebrun. Vatican
Holiere. reached an ice-cold hand. Il
that elderly crdger wasn't her father
Who wa9 he and what?
The Najor-1or George had looked
him up also-was In excellent trim fol
biz age. something Of . military dandy
besides; but 10 the husband Of x
younS and exquisite creature! Out
upon thu thought He might be he,
guardian, or. Mt most. her uncle. but
ssvsr her husband Yet 20 poisonoal
| doubti), st tie table she had ignoes
| the Major. both his jests and bis q
tentions. He had seen many vtvel
| joyfuily from . safe distance. act q
ward their husbands In this fashioG
Oh, roti II his name WAS Callahe'
and hers Chedsoye. they could %
u -