Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-26
The Daily Story
THE DEATH STONE OF MUSU-BY JESSIE L. SHARP.
Copyrighted. " As Literary Rureau

anything wrong OF wicked could ever
happen here"
Harrington drew a 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 its set express
sion, for she suddenly complained of
the cold and urged her husband to re-
turn TO the inn. The Martins 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 love. I'd like to paint this cried
Grayson'S cordial voice.
wait until you see the temple" re-
marked Harrington deliberately.
Grayson sprarg up. Lets so there
now"
Harrington got upon his feet and q
slowly led the way along the crooked
path under the black shadows - tbs
cryptomeras. 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 green
| stone.
II wish-I wish I could paint this
! just as it is. But it isn't in my line
I 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 you have to do is TO kiss
the wishing stone there" he said awk
wardly.
We'll, here goes. Dock. I shall wish
for the genius to paint the temple as
it is. Looks as idiotic as kissing the
blarney stone, eh?' Grayson laughed,
bent swiftly and would have pressed
his lips to the death stone had not
Harrington's hand snatched him back.
DON'T he cried sharply. placing
himself before the table. You don't
know what you are doing, jim"
Grayson smiled queerly.
II happen to be acquainted with the
death stone of Musu," he said quietly.
There followed long silence. There
was no sound save Harringtons deep
aGonzed breathing. The smoke of
the burning incense swirled 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. I never suspected
until tonight. Dick. | am sorry" said
jim GraysOn at last. and his hand rest
ed on the shoulder of the man who
had lured him to death and then
snatched him away at the fatal mo-
ment.
Harrington slowly lifted his head
and looked at his successful rival.
Grayson read in his eyes all the pain
and suffering he had undergone during
the past two years. and a great pity
filled 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 it,"
Without a word they went away
and sat down on the silver sands.
They talked until the gray dawn pearl
ed the east. and Priscilla came to the
veranda of the inn. wan and fright
ened, looking for her husband.
She saw Grayson and Dick Harring.
ton standing shoulder to shoulder
talking as only intimate friends may
talk. She saw them part with long
pressure of hands and her husband s
affectionate slap on the Others shout.
der
Harrington has been called home to
put his shoulder to the wheel OF bust
ness" he explained to Priscilla. but she
guessed that somehow Dick Harring
ton had recovered his manhood, and
she was glad.
Taxi, the guide. came running tC
. them. MY lord, Harrington has gone
away" he said anxiously. Perhaps
he was offended that I could not tel
the straight truth"
You did not tell Mr.. Harrington
that the death stone had been stoer
, years ago and that the stone in th'
: temple is merely a bit of old jadt
placed there to deceive the unwary?'
II meant to undeceive him, sir; of /;
> suTeness did
Never mind. Taxi; the tale has
served its purpose. You will neve
know how or why, but a good maj
: has found himself again. Mr. Har
rington babe me give you this" H.
tossed silver coin toward the Japan
csc and went inside, where Priscilla
l was waiting for him
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