Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-02

y
the ceiling. As we stepped across the
-roovcd threshold Of the door.
through some delicate adjustment of
weight, closed after lis.
| was not given 10 exhibitions of
surprise or unguarded utterances in
the presence of the impcrturbab.e
Marvel What we now faced. how
ever. aStOundcd ne, ana noted plain
ly that he shared my emotions. 1t was
like step from Squalor into SPLEEN
dor, from gaunt burrenneSs imo the
CLEAN Of oriental grandeur. We had
entered II large room heavily hung
with tapestries, even to the ceiling,
that must have cost n fortune. \
heavy velvet carpet made our foot
steps noiSeleSS. In the center OF the
room was raised daiS. In front of
this burned a varicOlorpd lamp cover
ed with the precious metals and rare
and costly jewels. a globe giving out
soft SirasOle glow flooded the apart
mcnt with Il mystic radiance. while
the inccnse-laden air enhanced GER
tain dreamy effect that lulled the sen
SeS and suggested the rare inner tenn
pie of some shrine of the Indus.
The dais supported throne backed
by wondrOus statue carved from
ebony or Iignumvitae, representing Il
goddess perfect of frame and feature.
All around the room were cushions
fashioned of rose silk. and before each
WAS Il prayer rug.
"a translation to the antipodes." re-
| marked HcsiliuS Marvel. and for all
the cautious subju@ation of his tone.
| | traced the faint echo of Il scoT. Let
| us explore To Il practical end. This
layout had no legitimate promise IN
the heart of an American city. II is
| here with purpOSe-we Will find out
what.
With the auhacity of man not I'M
used to pcnetratin" where he chose
/ when in the line of duty, my friend
| led the way across the apartment and
| pushed aside. the heavy drapery nj
! its far end. An antccOrrdnr contin-
ued the suite. 1t was as deliberately
! furnished as the main apartment we
| had just traversed. No dcnizen of the
| strange place had as yet come into evil
dence. but rs we entered n third apart
ment we came upon a man hastily
rearranging diSOrdered attire.
Judging from his clustered manner
and the full sleeved silken robe he
wore, he was the owner of the pair
Of arms that we had seen thrust back
the girl from the window. Then. too.
| ut his waist the man had stuffed into
his belt the fluffy veil or scarf which
he had used as gag to silence that
heart-stricken cry: "Oh. some one
come into this housew
The man was dark as the ebony
statue in the first room we had en-
tered. Instantly. as the shadow of
Marvel fell across his range of vision,
he was erect. his arms folded. his at
! titude brash and challenging. My
friend had kept straight on as II to
| pass the draperies behind this arbi-
trary sentinel. Before the apparent
entrance to another apartment the lat
ter sprang. his arm Outstretched.
"Banal-banal he croaked shrilly
no."
II say. yes" observer Marvel con-
temptuously. and he placed his hand
across the arm of the man and caught
Mt the rich hanging. The entire
drnpery was suddenly wrenched out
Of his reach. the servitor fell to hands
and knees muttering some cabalistic
jargon and then crept out of the way
and we Saw-Nirvasa.
We did not know her then by that
name; 1t came later; but was awed
and breathless as. like some splendid
apparition, being in the full bloom
of lovely womanliness faced us. She
stood near gilt stand on which rest
ed crystal globe. She was peerless
in her dress purely oriental. a SEEM
ing Indian princess. Slightly dark.
| her face had an Understandable glow.
rather that Of the richest rose than
delicate and clear. Her eyes were
deep set, but sparkling. enthralling
inviting.
She smiled upon us. dvesting her
welcome Of every tinge of awkward
ness, her attributes Of any effort to
impress and mystify. One flashing
glance frOom those intelligent eyes
seemed to envelope and consume U.S.
And then. to my sublime establishment
she said. with steely self poise and
without q shade of hesitation:
mfr. Resilius Marvel. l am hon.
Ored."
If she had not made the recognition.
less speedily would my expert friend
have pierced the travesty. II she
knew him II was no necromatic pow.
er-she must be of the class who make
1t a study to know those whom they
select as prey. those whom they fear
as masters.
l had noticed that Marvels compre-
hensive glance had swept the room
keenly. His eyes were most attract.
ed by chart behind the gilt table
1t was complex chart with tracings
of suns, moons, crescents and stars
upon its surface, heiroglyphic charac-
tiers and tables.
"A life chart" observed Marvel fix
ing his glance now on the oracle Of
the place.
"a seance chamber of Mahamat." re-
piled the lady promptly, but dimming
any boastfulness by maintaining that
even. complacent smile.
"Ah. yes" remarked Marvel-"clalr-
voyant."