Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-06


n bride and groom from san Francisco.
the Martins there was little hint Of
the tragedy that lurked behind IIar-
.ington's plcasaniries Priscilla quite
forgot her NERVOUSNESS and laughed
aud TESTED with her y lover. never
knowing that each i u reference to
the past WAS liz" n stab wound ~ his
heart. III, lips grew white. ana there
was tense look about his mouth
when they arose from TIE table.
An idle evening followed. They
walked on the sands aud stood speech
loss In the glory of The sunset They
saw the moon rise over the distant
peak Of Fuiiyama. and they were
dumb when the moon rays fell on the
sacred mountain and turned the crest
10 lusirous pearl.
"What wonderful country" breath.
I'd Mrs Martin 1T doe, 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 So. looked nj his
stern profile and she seemed 10 find
something ominous In It's set expires.
sion for she suddenly complained "
the cold and urged her husband 10 re-
turn 10 the inn The Martins soon
followed. aud Harrington was left alone
with his bitterness of spirit
The moon swung high ia the hcav-
ems when step sounded on the sand
beside him
by love I'd Ike g. paint this" cried
Graysnn's corlial voice
wait until You see the temple" re
marked Harrington deliberately
Grayson sprang up Lets 90 there
now"
Harrington got upon his feet ana
| slowly led the way along the crooked
! path under the black shadows of the
cryptomcrias ON reaching the temple
Harrington pushed open the polished
cedar door aud held ii wide for Gray
son To follow him II was dim and
/ fragrant In there. \ candle was burn
| ine low before the altar Some in
cense sticks were glowing red Oh the
yotiyc table When their eyes had
grown accustomed to the darkness
they perceived the mighty image ~
the Buddha in the recess.
Presently they moved rs 10y one ac-
cord ana crossed To the votive table.
| While GraySon's eyes sought the face
Of the Buddha. Ilarrinston's burning
gaze was fixed on the death stone set
L l.. -
sticks stood near and the red glow
from the burning sticks shouc down
and revealed the dul gray green
stone
Il wish-I wish | could paint this
just rs it is. But II isn't In my line.
as you say" brcathed GraySon. bring
Ing his eyes down 10 meet those of the
other man.
Harrington smiled sii',ly.
''lf you want to attain your desires.
old man all yoG have 10 do Is To- Kiss
the wishing stone there" he said awk-
wardly
We'll here goes. Dock. | shall wish
for the genius To paint the temple as
II IS Looks rs idiotic rs kissing the
barney stone. eh:" Grayson laughed.
bent swiftly and would have pressed
his lips Ia the death stone had not
Harringtons hand snatchcd him back.
Don't" he cried sharply. placing
himself before the table. You don't
know what you are doing. Jim"
Grayson smiled qucery.
II happen To be acquainted with the
death stone OF Musu." he said quietly
There folowed a long silence There
was no sound save Harrngtons deep
aGonizcd breathing. The smoke of
the burning incense swirlcd upward
and WAS lost IN the darkness above
the table The face Of the Buddha
looked down upon them from The lotus
leaf throne
Il did not know never suspected
until tonight. Dick. am sorry said
Jim Grayson AT last and his hand rest
ed Oh the shoulder OF the man who
had lurcd him to death and then
snatched him away at the fatal mo-
ment
Harrington slowly lifted his head
and looked nj his successful rival
Grayson read In his eyes all the pain
ana suffering he had undergone during
the past two years. and a great pity
filed his heart
II don't blame you. Harrington. |
would have done the same thing under
the same circumstances. he muttered.
Come down to the shore and tell me
all about IL"
Without word they went away
ana sat down on the silver sands.
They talked until the gray dawn pearl
ed the east. and Priscilla came 70 the
veranda Of the inn. wan and fright
ened. looking for her husband.
She saw Graysen and Dick Harrins-
ton standing shoulder 10 shoulder
talking ms only intimate friends may
talk. She saw them part with long
pressure of hands and her husbands
aifectionatc slap on the others shout
der
"IInrringinu has been called home 20