Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-09-25


forgot her nervousness and laughed
and tested with her old lover, never
knowing that each light reference to
the past was like stab wound in his
heart. His lips grew white. and there
was a tense look about his mouth
when they arose from the table:
An idle evening followed They
walked on the sands and stood speech
less in the glory of the sunset. They
saw the moon rise over the distant
peak of Fujiyama, and they were
dumb when the moons rays fell on the
sacred mountain and turned the crest
to lustrous pearl.
tWhat wonderful couutryw breath
ed Mrs. Martin. 'It does not seem that
anything wrong or wicked could ever
happen here"
Harrington drew sharp breath and
looked away. Priscilla Grayson may
have heard him. for she looked at his
stern profile, and she seemed to find
something ominous in it's set express
sion, for she suddenly &C planned Of
the cold and urged her h.. 86 to re-
turn to the inn. The MAJ ,llas soon
followed, and Harrington was left alone
with his bitterness of spirit
The moon swung high in the heav-
ems when a step sounded on the sand
beside him.
"By Jove. I'd like to paint this!" cried
| Graysons cordial voice.
wait until You see the temple" re-
marked Harrington deliberately.
Grayson sprang up. Lets go there
now"
Harrington got upon his feet and
slowly led the way along the crooked
path under the black shadows of the
cryptomerias. On reaching the temple
Harrington pushed open the polished
cedar door and held it wide for Gray
son to follow him. 1t was dim and
fragrant in there. A candle was burn
ing low before the altar. Some In
cense sticks were glowing red on the
votive table. When their eyes had
grown accustomed to the darkness
they perceived the mighty image of
the Buddha in the recess.
Presently they moved as by one ac-
cord and crossed to the votive table.
While Grayson's eyes sought the face
of the Buddha. Harrington's burning
gaze was fixed on the death stone set
in the table The vase Of incense
sticks stood near. and the red glow
from the burning sticks shone down
and revealed the dull gray greer
stone
~ wish-I wish could paint this
Just as it is. But it isn't in my line
as you say" breathed Grayson, bring
ing his eyes down to meet those Of the
other man.
Harrington smiled stiffly.
IF you want to attain YOUR desires
old man. all yon have to do is to lis
the wishing stone there" he said awk
wardly.
We'll, here goes. Dock! | shall wisl
for the genius to paint the temple a.
1t is. Looks as idiotic as kissing tn
blarney stone. eh?" Grayson laughed
bent swiftly and would have presse
his lips to the death stone had nc
Harrington's hand snatched him back
''Dont!" he cried sharply. placin
4 know what you are doing, Jim"
Grayson smiled queery.
e 81 happen to be acquainted with til
death stone Of Musu," he said q,lietl
There followed long silence. Thel
was no sound save Harrington's dee
q agonized breathing. The smoke {
e the burning incense swirled upwal
So, 4 oh
the table. The face of the Buddi
r looked down upon them from the lott
o leaf throne.
u 81 did not know. never suspect'
until tonight, Dick. l am sorry" sa
le Jim Grayson at last. and his hand res
q. ed Oh the shoulder of the man wi
IS had lured him to death and thu
y snatched him away at the fatal NJ
ment.
IS Harrington slowly lifted his he
G. and looked at his successful riv
e. Grayson read in his eyes all the pa
IN and suffering he had undergone duri
d. the past two years. and great pi
~ filled his heart
Ok 81 don't blame you, Harrington.
WOulQ nave zone lue same luluS uuI
!. the same circumstances" he mutter,
no Come down to the shore and tell
Is all about it,"
cd Without word they went aw
and sat down on the silver san
ed They talked until the gray dawn pea
le ed the east. and Priscilla came to
'Pt veranda Of the inn, wan and frig
he ened, looking for her husband.
lite She saw Grayson and Dick Harri
MS ton standing shoulder to shoult
ed talking as only intimate friends II
to talk. She saw them part with Il
pressure of hands and her husban
ne. affectionate slap on the others she
lid der.
OK Harrington has been called home
NY put his shoulder to the wheel of bl
hu ness" he explained to Priscilla, but
NJ guessed that somehow Dick Harri
ton had recovered his manhood. {
RED she was glad.
or Taxi the frlIido came running