Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-09-23

seen running out or the city,
Il said to the south" was Oakley
comment.
MY impression is that it's nearer,
said Langham doggedly, and some
thing in his tone told the truth OF tn,
situation to Frank Oakley.
"Out with the whole thing, Lang
ham, he said shortly. What is it
Are you trailing me, or what?"
We'll. you were there, you know"
did Mrs. Desbrow"-- Oakley chok
ed on the words.
Langham shrugged his perfectly fit
ted shoulders mo, indeed, old chap
She wouldn't listen to word againsi
you. But the house boy
Oakley laughed scornfully. "Tht
house boy! Do you mean to say tina
you are holding the word of q China
man against mine, Langham?"
HE said he saw you" retorted the
other shortly.
Saw his grandmother was Oak
ley's cheerful reply. You take my
advice. Langham. IL Mr.. Desbrow
got that emerald from one Of the TEN
Piles in south China it stands to reason
that the worshipers will try to get
it back.
Those old things mean more to the
native Chinese than they do to the
decadent mandarins. They Will fight
for the emerald. and they will stea
1t again and again until 1t finally re
mains where it originally belonged
only they will leave trail of blood
in its wake
Very WELL" said the other sharply
Go ahead and | viii follow"
Find out foc me where the temple
is located and the name of the man
DARN. Tomorrow morning we star
for Canton. and from there we viii
travel cross country to the temple
Once there we can scout around and
see if the emerald is there"
Good. Let us 60 back
The next morning they were on theiI
way to Canton via Hongkong.
AS the journey progressed there
grew up between the two men a vague
inexpressible feeling of distrust
at last they came into the province
of the mandarin who had sold the EN-
erald eye to Mr. Desbrow and here re
ceived permission to inspect the tenn
pie.
This man will direct you to the
temple of the green idol" he said
suavely. and the two young men made
their adieus.
In the wake of the wooden faced
servant they crossed the grass grown
courtyard and entered the dark arch
OF the temple. Here their footsteps
walked the sleeping echoes, and the
guide grnmbled because the lantern
sputtered in sudden drafts Of air.
I'VE will look at the Buddha first
for If the stone has been returned ii
should be resting in the left eye sock
ct. Odd that they should make the
eyes Of such precious gems and then
cover them with lids of bronze or
gold" Frank Oakley made this re-
mark as he walked close behind Des-
brow. now his openly avowed enemy.
'I'll have to see it there to believe
it." said the other man obstinately.
BY standing beneath the massive
face one could look up ard see that
one half closed eye contained spar
king emerald. while the other one was
quite empty.
"Well?" questioned Langham, with a
nasty smile.
Well retorted Frank. suddenly
drawing revolver and pressing II
against the others breast, III give
you just five minutes to restore the
emerald eye to the idol" he said
grimly
Me. What do you mean?" shouted
Langham.
What say. l may as well tell you
that / know where it is. and | congrat-
ulate you on having distracted atten.
ton from yourself"
Where is it, demanded Langham.
up with your hands, ordered
Frank sharply. And when the 9th
er's hands were out Of the way Oak
ley's fingers passed deftly over the 9th
er's form. There we're bundle Of let
tiers and Il cigarette case. A gold
match safe disgorged the missing
jewel, and I4angham did not smile
when Frank drew 1t from its hiding
place and slipped 1t In his own pocket
for he had determined TO restore it to
Mrs. Desbrow.
They separated that afternoon. Frank
Oakley travelling on ahead to claim his
reward and LanEham to make Other
plans for the uncertain future.
Frank Oakley took the emerald eye
back to its rightful owner. and wher
she mentioned reward be talked
again about love and marriage until BIZ
persuaded her to name the wedding
day.
The emerald eye Is our talisman Of
luck" he said to her on their wedding
night
ut was the means Of poor Lang
hams temptation and fall" murmuret
the lovely bride. 1T Is like all tails
mans-the good or evil in the wearel
have to do with its influence"
ChiIdTAn Eru