The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1917-12-27
.DETESTABLE IMAGE.
BY MILDRED WHITE

my DtTtHudy. II may SCChu 4oSCA 60 /
a gift, Nell" she remarked, 'but the
girls are all raving over these old
images, and the china Is as rare as it
Is quaint"
l am afraid my thanks lacked en-
thuslasm, as took the leering Hindu
god into my hands, for she added
coldly. at Is also supposed to BRING
true love-" and Miriam smiled enig-
matically, "the image can never bel
parted from its owner"
1t did not seem to me. as looked
into the squirting features, that this
was a thing much to be desired, but
1t was gratifying to possess such a
priceless bit of china, its stamp was
undoubtedly genuine. From my dress
ing table each morning the image
leered an awakening greeting, and at
night when the last light had been ex-i
tinguished, the wilderness of the squat
ty figure shone out in the darkness.
and / was uncomfortably aware Of
that diabolical smile as 1 passed into
q troubled dream. The thing was ac-
tually getting on my nerves, Its pres
ence seemed so all-pervading. With
contempt for my own weakness,
locked it In an unused cabinet, from
which 1t was later drawn forth by my
mother.
"why, Nell" she reproved, you are
hiding away a valuable piece of bric-a-
brac; If you do not care for 1t in your
room, will place 1t upon the piano."
How many beautiful symphonies
that wretched thing interrupted, to my
embarrassment, no one may know, but
happily, for q time at least, became
80 busy that the provoking image lost
its power to annoy. Our sorority gtxla
had formed a habit Of meeting each
month, to brush up their knowledge
upon forgotten college subjects. It
| was interesting, for the boys were
asked In to be judges at the contests"
as we called them. and prizes were
given the successful. These prizes
were donated by the girls In alphabet
zeal order, and we tried to make them
as unique as we could. was study
ing up to beat Miriam Smith at the
latest contest. and-I did 1t.
The rooms with their chattsring oc-
cupants swan dizzily before my eyes
when Billy Bronson gave out the
| Judges decision.
"Creditably won." he shouted. "by
Miss Nell Wentworth"
Then all at once 1t came upon me.
why, In my excitement had I over
looked this public moment. 1t had
been my turn to donate the prize, and
In stress of constant study the pur-
chase had been forgotten. 1t was only
when slipping into my coat to leave
Ar.ua. AI.n thAN II osT
Then, like flash Of inspiration, came
the thought of the Hindu god. Quaint
and costly, the appropriate thing.
There was satisfaction In the
thought, as I tied my card about the
things neck, that should never more
be troubled by that grinning face.
And here, now, In presence of Miriam.
whose gift 1t had been. Billy Bronson
was holding out to me that f1endish
invincible face.
Miriam looked, then laughed. "Con-
gratulations," she remarked, "the cal
came back"
I left the sorority crowd at the great
gateway, ostensibly to board a car al
the corner, but my purpose was differ
emit. Safely away upon the stone walk
intended to let that detestable image
slip carelessly to its fate. China will
break. no matter how ancient, and
the time Of the Hindu god had come
The street lamps were lighted wher
I looked about furtively, and-let go
There was an encouraging crash as
hurried on.
Madame" cried a deep voice. al
low me-" A young man was bending
over the pavement. and as 1 hesitated
he raised a handsome, regretful face
II am sorry" he said. ''the statue
seems to be broken In two, still Il
might be mended."
"Ohi no." gasped. then the humol
OF 1t all came over me, and buriet
my face In my muff, In silent laugh
ter. 'It doesn't matter" 1 added
blinking at him.
He was evidently mistaking tn,
laughter tears In my eyes, his owl
were so sympathetic. ST am very
sorry" he repeated, and stood staring
after me as / turned the corner.
was so glad to be rid of the thing tina
went about singing and 1 couldn'
forget the nice young mans kind eyes
And the very next night when 1 wa.
singing a love song, he came to oul
front door. The young mans nam.
was John Curtis, son of John Curtis
proprietor of the curio store, anS
young John had taken that smashed
Image of mine to his fathers store
and had 1t all nicely mended. Their
he brought 1t to my address, which h,
found upon the card tied about tn,
1 hQQfhan mi Il =
In my appreciation, that had to make
up for 1t by inviting him In. and beine
entertaining.
You will remember that the image
was supposed to bring true love to its