The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-02-06

| the east, and those cOlors still deck
its lonely walls. No true believers
foot may be seen within its portals
while the great stone i7 missing The
brethren of the priesthood languish
in dungeons, hoping against hone that
Buddha may manifest his mercy by
causing the gem to be regained and
replaced upon his brow. intended.
unworshiped, the god sits upon his
throne within the shrine. waiting for
the restoration Of bis own"
Mrs. Missioner was thrilled bv tho
narrative. She was somewhat at n
losD, however, TO account for the depth
of the Swami's interest I'm the recap.
ture OF the great diamond. Until he
unfolded his story further. she did not
know how personal that interest was.
How does this affect your" she
asked. "why should you be at such
pains to find and restore the diamond?
And to return these other stones to
me?"
you will need no further expiana.
ton madam" said tho scholar. with
utmost courtesy, "when tell you that
the priests who lie in that Eastern
prison are my brethren"
"But how Is it you aro not among
them?"
by a special dispcnsotion Of mercy
on the part of the Naharajah," he an
swered when five years. as YOU
count them, had flown and stin tho
diamond was missing when all tho
other servants of tho Kingdom had
searched India, tho roet OF tho Orient.
and even Europe for It, His Majesty
relented far enough to direct that
the Imprisoned priests choose one Of
their number to Eirdle the earth in
| quest Of the stone. T. being the young.
est Of tho priesthood. was selected for
the task For the priests Themselves.
though prisoners OF woe. arc moro
concerned to have tho stain wiped out
than to return TO tho world from
which they have been oxiled. They
chose the youngest that the searcher
might have as lon7 a time as nature
permitted to carry out the quest"
The Swami paused an instant, and
then continued
80 you sec that not only do n hun
dred human lives hang upon the re.
turn OF that single jewel to the place
whence II was stolen hut that tho
faith, the religion, the very hope OF
eternity OF millions Of persons. arc
equally dependent upon IT, Until tho
gem CLEANS again IN Buddha's brow.
no prayer for redemption can DO
breathed with any hope Of response
in tho most remote part Of the
Maharaiah's kingdom. Can you won-
der that Il would sell life itself to
achieve this tash?"
Mrs. Missioner did not wonder. sho
clasped between her hands the packet
containing the other stonoa Of her
necklace, and gazed dreamily into tho
fire.
what is II, then, you wish?" sho
asked. What can I do for YOU? 10
It a question OF a reward?"
mot in that sense" said the Swami
quicki%. Il want no recompense for
returning 10 you that which belcng5
to you. Those stones arc yours IL
would be MS wicked for mo 70 keep
them, according to the light Of my
faith. as In the moral Intelligence OF
yours But do want reward In n
way. ! ask your permission to return
TO my native land. and request that
! you cause all further efforts 10 re-.
cover the big diamond 10 end NJ once"
How can 7 do that?" Inquired tho
widow.
The matter Is now in the hands Of
the police. You can say truth9ully
to the police" tho Swami replied,
that your diamonds hayo been "a.
turned TO You; that you are satisfied
with the explanation OF their dlsap-
pearanco that accompanied their
restoration. and that you wish all
further activity on the part OF tho
authorities to cease"
81 will consider IT,"
81 trust your consideration will not
cover many hours" said the Swami,
rising. "If you come to a decision
| quickly and favorable one, you will
avert a very strong possibility of
bloodshed."
Mrs. Missioner started.
"The Maharanee diamond, as you
call It, Is in the keeping of my COL
league" tho Swami continued "That
man Britt. the detective from Head
quarters, who has been most active
in tho hunt for your necklace, is close
upon his heels 1t is impossible for