The Washington herald., 1916-07-02

nized several from pictures of celebrities of the
Smart Set In the newspapers. There an
undercurrent of eager anticipation through the
audience, heightened by the subdued lights, the
general shsdowy aspect of the room, the odor
of burning incense and the heavy draperies
The master Of ceremonies had not yet appeared,
evidently having learned the value of theatrical
entrance Or he waiting for who
had not yet arrived2 Mona asked the question
when the door opened and Mrs. Wallace gded to
a seat in tho front of chairs, for almost i'm
mediaoely afserwsrd, Hadj Rulu, in white robes
and turben, appeared bowling solemnly.
The scene that followed sufficiently i'm
Presstvo from the viewpoint Of the uninitiated.
The Hindoo was q past master in the art of trick
cry, and several of the effects he had arranged
ware managed so sdruttly that Mona could readily
understand the secret of tho sudden vogue he had
attained The girl watched Mrs. Wallace closely
and saw that the woman sat like a person In a
trance with her eyes never leaving the solemn
figure Of the Hindoo. When the seance was finally
ended and the audience gradually dispersed, Mona
fingered behind
The Htndoo finally approached her and asked
II there was any personal problem concerning
which she wished to consult him.
Il need your help badly" she said impuls-
lively. l win be frank with you. When came
here never expected to stay. I thought it was
all trio}ery and sham, and l can see how
wrong and unjust was, and what wonderful
person you really are
my name is May Allison. am an orphan,
and alone in the world except for my guardian
guardian
taken advantage of that fact and knowing am
only woman, and he thinks helpless is try
ing to swindle me-" She reached into her hand
bag, and drew out a check, which she laid on the
table. The Hindoo picked 1t up, and the girl saw
that his eyes glstened when he noted that it was
drawn to her order for the Of one thousand
dollars. And then his attitude stiffened. His eyes
had fallen on the signature at the bottom-"How-
ard Wallace"
"Is Mr.. Wallace your guardian ?" he demanded
quickly. Mona nodded
II am sorry to have to say that he Is, and
that he Is the to whom / referred. That
check represents my quarters income. It has al
ways been twenty thousand dollars until now
Mr.. wallace says that my Investments have been
unfortunate, and that my stocks have dropped in
value But it is hard to believe that can be true
Think of 1t Only thousand dollars when nv
checks before have always been for just twenty
times as much"
"Of course you may not be able TO help mel
Perhaps am asking too much of y0u!"
The Hindoo caught her hand eagerly. SIN
deed. you have come to just the right source for
assistance. Shall 1 show you how shall punish
this scoundrelly man. who has dared use YOU so
falsely and cruelty"
As Mona nodded curiously, the man stepped
back to the teakwood table in the rear of the
room, and clapped his hands to summon his ser
want. The two conferred together in whispers for
a moment, and then the servant vanished to re-
appear a moment later with a small wax image
which he deposited solemnly in the center of the
table.
"WetchF said the Hindoo gravely, and pro-
ceeded to make a series of weird passes directly
above the image
For a moment nothing happened and then
Mona gave low gasp. The image was slowly
vanishing before her eyes-vanishing as com
pletely though it were actually dissolving into
thin air.
That Is the way shall treat Howard Wal
lace" said Hadj Rulu grsvely. He shall vanish
as completely the image you saw disappear
into thin air He shall know what 1t is to mis-
treat one SO lovely and innocent as your charming