Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-06
TheDeath Stone:
of MuSu
The Tale Has Served Its
Purpose
BY JESSIE [. SHARP

tender blue. In the far distance the
snowy peak Of Fuiiyama seemed paint
ed against the horizon, aud below AT
the foot Of the terraced Hill the waters
Of the inland sea- Tapped the silver
sands
II was all very beautiful. very peace.
fnl. a place TO dream Of love or a
happy past or II sweet. reckoning fu-
turc.
Yet Harrington stood there with a
grim smile on his lips and murder in
his heart. In the doorway Of tiny
hillside temple his form bulked large
beside the small Japanese guide
You are suref" he asked Taxi for
the third time that afternoon.
"Of most positive surcncss." re
spondcd Taxi. also for the third time.
Harrington turned slowly and went
back into the temple. Six strides car
ricd him across to the shrine with its
image Of the sitting Buddha. calm.
peaceful aud remote In its attitude Of
meditation.
lie did not look NJ NJ the image
His eyes sought the small hat gray
green stone set in the exact center Of
the votiye table. II was round aud
polished rs II with much rubbing.
IF You have lied To me. Taxi" he
said sternly To the guide, who had pad
dcd softly in his wake 1t will 90 hard
with you am not 10 lie taken in by
ordinary tourist stories"
''1'hat is truth" assured Taxi sol
EMMY. Il have myself seen ii with
my own eyes
seen what"
The action of the death stone. hon
orablc sir"
Harrington suppressed n shudder.
and his voice shook little as he mo-
toned 10 the Japanese.
Go on. Taxi Tell me about IT,"
Taxi drew n long kissing breath and
sat down upon his heels. Harrington
leaned against the votive table and
gazed moodily down AT the green stone
"A man from my village had an en-
envy. He wished him much evil. and
he persuaded his enemy to come 10
MuSu and 10 kiss the death stone; said
II would bring much virtue The enc
my kiss the stone and fail dead on the
table"
Harrington walked slowly to the door
and went down the crooked path
among the cryptomcrias. Presently he
came out on the scashorc and made
his way toward the picturesque little
i'm where he had been stopping
Ills host came forward. rubbing his
hands with III concealed pleasure
My lord will not dine alone to-
night" he said. smiling "Other Amer
lean gentlemen ANA ladies will honor
my worthless house.
Harrington smiled ahscntly. and then
as sudden thought blazcd its way
through the dark chaos OF his mind he
asked abruptly.
These new people-wlat are their
namcs:'
ALAS. it has escaped my wrctchcd
memory" mmcntcd Chcnyo. but one
is a tall gentleman Of reddish hair and
merry laugh"
"Graysau himself AZ last" mutter
ed Harrington. and he hurried away %
his tiny room. where servant was IN
waiting with water for his bath
When he emerged an hour later he
was clothed in spotlcss white. and.
cool. refreshed and handsome he was
warmly welcomed by the little party
of Americans dining on the veranda.
"nick Harrington. by all that's
good" shouted James Grayson. spring
Ing up and srasping IIarringtons r..
luciant hand Priscilla. here Is An
old friend. You remember Priscilla
oh. Dick" Grayson laughed heartily
rs his pretty wife arose and shook
hands with the grave eyed man
Yes. | remember Mrs Grayson."
rumhlcd llarringtons deep voice. and
the pretty color which had graccd Pris
elias cheeks faded and left a startled
pallur
Priscilla Grayson had nearly loved
Dick Harrington once upon time
Then Gray>om had come and swept
her heart into his own keeping. Sh,
had never forgotten llarrington's whit,
hot anger. his bitter despair and his
dennnriation of Grayson. who seemed
quite unconscious of playing traitor 10
his friend
Harrington had waited his time
some day. he told himself, there woulG
come the opportunity 10 pay back
Grayson for his trcachcry \ kindly
fate must bring them together amd
then lei Graysun look ont for him
self
So Harrington had mirsed his hatred
nd icalousy through bitter year of
restless wandering from one country
90 another nowhere finding comfort
or peace Tor his troubled heart \ few
weel.s ago. when he first came 20 la
pam br heard that the Graysons were
ii Tokyo when Taxi. his guide. had
.old him tine story Of the death stone
Of Mu>u II had entered Harrmgton's
mind Ia lure t;rayson here. aud well.
the death Stone would do the rest
u was something OF shock for him