Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-29
The Dailvl
Short Story
THE ROSE OF vISHTI.
BY Alvah Jordan Garth.

nan Deen purchased Dy one Alan TrDe
ham and that he and his sister. M
Eunice Woods, widow. were abcut 4
restore to the quiet little town so~s
of its ancient social prestige.
RumOrs had it that an uncle Of II.
pair, who had made vast fortune a
India, had left them not only a ~
comparable collection Of easte,,
treasures and curiosities but alan .
large cash fortune. THE uncle VA I
regular rajah they say" village vias.
acre announced. "He sent this "a.
tune over by an old servant al. !
Singh, who is model OF loyalty to ~
family. They're high links, l tai
you, and they won't mix much with *
common folks. I'm thinking" declefW
the old gossip.
But never were caviling critics mora
agreeably disappointed 1t seemed q
il typical spirit of youth and beantv
came to the community with the a.
vent Of Alan Tresham and his sister
Marvellous stories were told Of Ia
unique oriental furnishings OF u ~
home. Marian Deane was the first Ia
be invited as visitor. The Deanes
lived next door to the beautiful Old
mansion. Marian was hanging o,t
some stripes and lace and ribbon To
dry near the dividing WALL when
sweet voice hailed her and sweet
face smiled over at her.
Gould you come over for q little
chat and bring a basket with you.
please?" suggested Eunice Woods. ana
went on to explain that the strawber-
ries were rotting away and were too
delicious to thus neglect.
Marian was started for home with
four-quart basket filled to the brim
with the luscious fruit and an invita-
ton to come over again later In The
day. 1t was tn n that she met Alan
Tresham. 1t was then, too, that he
took \ her through the downstairs
rooms of the house, showing her the
curiosities in the cabinets, the collsc-
tions Of rarities and curiosities which
his uncle had acquired.
Within a week Marian was the
chosen friend OF brother and sister.
The newcomers encouraged local trads
generously and programs were out
lined for various fetes at the grand
old place, to which everybody was In
vited.
Then one day the whole town was
startled by the report that burglars
had made raid on the mansion. Dur
ing the temporary absence of its IN
mates every cabinet had been ran
sacked.
"But not a single article taken
away" Alan explained to Marian
"See. even this basket filled with prec-
ious stones has not one missing"
II have discovered something" at
that moment reported old Singh. and
he handed to his young master an OBJ
long piece composed Of bamboo hbef
and rice paper. Across its face were
a number of hieroglyphics.
What does this signify7" inquired
Alan. a
1T is a warning
From whom"
From some emissary of secret or
der of the hill tribes of the upper
Ganges."
But why should I be warned!"
Because these tireless fanatics BE-
lieve your uncle has sent you some
sacred memento which they have been
deputiZed to recover at all hazards
Il wish they would simply come out
from under cover and tell what they
want. They are welcome to it," OBJ
served Alan in his generous, light
spirited way.
"They did not visit my room" Mrs
Woods told Marian. There was chest
there holding some rare costumes BE-
longing to his uncle's collection. "0h
you must see some Of them. The very
thing" added the lady with anilna-
ton. 1--WE are all Invited to the fancy
dress ball and you and I will select
some unique dress for the occasion.
She selected for Marian beautiful
white robe of the finest silk, win
curious patterns worked in It In pearls
and many colored gems. 1t was AIDE.
lightful occasion, the function they a.
tended. Alan was devoted in his ser
vice to Marian. She had never been q
happy and his sister seemed to smile
on the budding hopes Of these two lcv'
ers. i
Marian had strolled into the lantern
lit garden for coolnees after waltz
Suddenly she was seized by two tawny-
} skinned, Strengthening men. and .
handkerchief saturated with SOM
pungent liquid pressed over her FACE
She came back to consciousness q
find herself in a lighted unfurntsheo
room lying on pallet of straw. a
! she opened her eyes one of the men
; approached her. He made low
| obeisance with gesture OF deep 70
spect. NJ
, "The DRESS" he said, pointing to Inv
one Marian wore. THE sacred rooe o.
| Vishti. Lady, you will remove non
J our people far away in India cufse
you will save the peace OF mind, per.
ham the life of Sahib Tresham anu
J his sister. by giving it over to Us. y
was taken from out looted temple,
/ precious relic for centuries. We trace
it here. See, here is long CLOAK. W
: will retire. Deliver to US the ores'
, and all will be well" -
: Alan Tresham was franucsh.
. securing the country until he CAM
upon Marian returning from ~
strange adventure. She told nm ns'
! story. In return he told her one,-
.. loves own sweet story, never olo, y =,
ways the acme of life's fcno~'
romance.
with ITO cars nj the week DeIOEU