Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-05-28

does. either. Jim thinks a good deal
and so does Lydia It's q darned-"
Mr.. Riggs happened to look up at
that instant, Ranjab was standing In
front OF him, his arms folded across
his breast, in the habitual pose of the
Hindu who waits. The man was
dressed in the costume OF a high-caste
Brahmin; the commonplace garments
Of the Occident had been laid aside.
and in their place we're the vivid. daz-
zling colors Of Ind, from the beieweled
sandals to the turban which crowned
his swarthy brow and CLEANED with
rubies and sapphires uncounted. Mr..
Riggs mouth remained open as he
stared blankly at this ghost Of anothsr
day. Not since the old days In India
had he seen Ranjab in native garb.
and even then he was far from being
the Respondent creature Of tonight,
for Raniab in his home land was q
poor man and without distinction.
Am I awake7" exclaimed Mr.. Riggs
in such an awful voice that Mr.. Dawes
gave over staring at the cabinet and
favored him with an impatient kick
on the ankle.
Il guess that'll wake you up IT,
and then he saw the Hindu. RAN
jab!" oozed from his lips.
Ranjab was smiling. and when ne
smiled his dark face was a Joy to be-
hold. His white teeth cleaned and
his sometime unfeeling eyes sparkled
with delight. He liked the two old
men. They had stood. with Brood be-
tween him and grave peril far back
In the old days when even the faint
est CLEAN Of hope apparently had been
blotted out.
Behold" he cried, magnifcently
spreading his arms. II am made glo-
rious! See before you the prince OF
magic! See!" With a swift, deft
movement he snatched the half.
smoked cigar from the limp fingers Of
Mr.. Riggs and, first holding It before
their blinking eyes. tossed it into the
air. 1t disappeared!
We'll. OF all the" began Mr.. Riggs.
sitting up very straight. His eyes
we're following the rapid actions Of the
Hindu. Unlocking a drawer In the
big table, the latter peered into II
and then beckoned the old men to his
side. There lay the cigar and beside
1t a much-needed match!
II don't want to smoke It." said Mr..
Riggs. vigorously declining his prop
erty. THE darned things bewitched."
Whereupon Ranjab took It out Of the
drawer and again threw II into the
air. Then he calmly reached above
his head and plucked a fresh cigar
out Of space, obsequiously rendering II
to the amazed old man, who accepted
1t with the sheepish grin Of a be-
added %schoolboy.
you haven't lost any OF your old
SKILL" said Mr.. Dawes. ~involuntarily
glancing at his own cigar to make
sure that he had 1t firmly gripped In
his stubby fingers. You ought to bt
In a sideshow, Ranjab."
Ranjab paused. before responding
to extract a couple Of billiard balli
and q small paper knife from the lape
OF Mr.. Dawes coat.
II am to perform tonight, sahib, foI
the mistress guests. II Is to be-wha
you call him? A sideshow? Ranjal
Is to do his tricks for her, as the dol
performs for his master" The smile
had disappeared. His face was an I'm
penetrable mask once more. Had theil
eyes been young and keen, however
they might have caught the flash o
anger In his.
Going to do all the old tricks7'
cried Mr.. Riggs eagerly. by George
I'd like to see 'em again, wouldn't you
Dan? I'm glad we've got our goot
clothes on. Now you see what comes
Of always being prepared for"
Sorry, sahib, but the master has
request me to entertain you before the
guests come up. Coffee Is to be serve
here"
That means we'll have to cleal
out?" said Riggs, slowly.
But see!" cried Ranjab, genuinely
sorry for them. He became enthusias
tic once more. See! | shall do them
all-and better. too. for you"
For ten minutes he astonished the
old men with the mysterious feats Of
the Indian fakir. They waxed enthu