The Princeton union., 1919-10-30
3le Gift Of
Fate
~o
3y ALVAH JORDAN CART

1 =
the dancing features of our house
warming?" questioned Norman Dawes.
"fou see, I've got good deal of
| pride" added Lena. "and l want to
appear as cozy and comfy as possible.
with so many of my old school chums
coming
"NOw, don't you get worrying" con-
soled Norman. IF any remarks are
made, just bluntly inform the critics
that the high cost of living wouldn't
permit new furniture and rugs at the
| same time."
"Well. we two are happy and con-
tented, anyway, so what does it mat
ter If some ill-natured critic like Mrs.
Parmly inspects our belongings with
a magnifying glass, and says mean
things about our being threadbare and
shoddy. and all that? She called me
that once, Norman-but I'm not shod
! dy. am ]. dear?"
"You? Why, you're solid pure gold.
my pet cried Norman fervently. and
Lena tried philosophically to subdue
her vain longings. Their little new
home was her idol, and she wanted to
have it as perfect as possible during
the coming house-warming function.
Fate seemed to enforce reminder
of that coveted parlor rug. It was
about noon when footsteps sounded in
the hall, and there stood a thin, black
eyed man. dark-skinned and wearing
fez and a gaudy sash. He carried a
thioE NJ III
suggested the foreigner and travelling
| peddler.
"Omar Kluva it is, lady," he said
in melodiously appealing accents.
''They tell you at the Persian consulate
| that what Omar says is always true.
Rugs immaculate, lady-only the best.
Perhaps high in price, but they last
for generations, and for good, honest
people like you, payments as you
| please. Your parlor? Wonderful lady,
but my sample exactly fits"
mo, moi" demurred Lena, lifting
OBTAINING hand as her visitor made
movement as If to unroll and display
! gtcianlike movement, he gave his bur
den twirling fling, and it settled down
| over the parlor floor without wrinkle.
"Oh, the beauty" irrepressibly en-
! thused Lena, and her sparkling eyes
rested with delight upon the marvel of
| beauty.
The exquisite colors, the unique pat
! tern blendings, the perfect harmony of
the costly rug with draperies and wall
| decoration seemed suddenly to trans
form the room into kingly apartment.
Omar Kluva was about to dilate upon
Its excellencies when, CHANGING to
glance out into the garden, through
the open window, he gave vivid start
and his eyes dilated. Lena suspected
some play.acting. but with an earnest
ness that was positively agitated, Omar
Kluva gasped out:
LADY, the flower! The sacred sun
rose of Lathay! Here so far from
home, in an alien soil! Oh, lady, can
see nearer? Can I purchase one Of
the blooms at any price? 1t is not for
myself, though am overjoyed, but
for my sick brother who, wearied and III
in an unfriendly land, is pining for
something of his native country"
The quivering finger indicated q
high-fowering stalk, rarity, indeed,
which had grown from some seeds Civ
en- to Norman by foreign travelling
salesman, who had told him that it
was an Asiatic novelty. The blossoms
were large as sunflower and, grow
ing In towerlike profusion. resembled
q cluster of rich red roses.
The impetuous visitor hurried from
the room into the garden. Somewhat
puzzled, Lena followed him. He
reached the plant and regarded it with
eyes Of ecstasy.
"Oh. lady!' he said. tremulously
fondling one Of the blooms, ut will
bring home to poor Azif. and its seeds
will cure his distemper."
II will get scissors, and you shall
have all the flowers you like" said
free-hearted Lena. But when she re-
turned, Omar Kluva and one Of the
blooms had vanished. Norman came
home, to hear the strange story. He
was lost in admiration Of the rug.
Then on card attached to its unde...
side he traced the words. "Omar Kluva
and Brother. % River Street.
"We must hunt up this strange vis-
ltor of ours, Lena" he said, and after
supper they sought the living place Of
Omar Kluva. He occupied two rooms
in large tenement building, and he
salaamed to the ground as Lena ap-.
peared.
See he said, pointing to couch
on which man. his prototype, lay,
holding in his hand the sun rose
bloom. He sleeps peacefully and
4 with a smile on his face A sight of
the flower alone made him better,
4 you forgot to take, away your
rug began Lena. when Omar Kluva
made gesture of extravagant dis
sent.
"Ah. lady! Like in a fairy story,
fate sent you the gift. It is yours,
with the love and gratitude Of Omar
Kluya and his brother"