The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-11-08
15is Gift Of
Fate
s>~s
By ALvAH JORDAN GARTH
Copyright. isis. by this w.stafn Nsrs
paper union)
se%xee&xeys&ex sxss*sses

her husband. Eyeryfbiilg l00ss 50
nice except the bare fQDrs.''
Won't they be just, the thing for
the dancing features OF our bouse-
warmlpgg" questioned Norman Dawes
"You see. I've got D good deal OF
pride" added Lena. ':and i want TO
appear as. coy and comfy as, possible.
with so many of my7oid school cbunls
coming"
Now. don't you get Worrying" con
soled Norman. III any remarks are
made, just bluntly inform the critics
that the high cost of living .wouldp't
permit new. furniture and rugs at the
same time"
''Well. we two are happy and con-
tented. anyway, SO what does I mat
ter II some ill-natured critic like Mrs.
Psrfnly juspects our belongings with
magnfying glass. and says mean
things about our being thresdbare and
shcddy, and all that? She called me
that once, N0rman--but I'm not shod-
dy. am I, desr?'
You? Why, you're solid pure gold,
my pet" cried Norman feryently. and
Lena tried philosophically TO suhdue
her vain longipgs. Their little now
home was her idol. and she wanted 10
have 1t as perfect as possible during
the coming house-warming function.
Fate seemed to enforce reminder
Of that coveted parIor rug. II was
about noon when footsteps sounded In
the hall, and there stood a thin, black
eyed man. dark-skinned and wearing
fez and galIdy sash. He carried q
thick, folded fabric oyer his arm, and
suggested the foreigner and travelling
peddler.
Omar kluya 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-ony the best.
Perhaps high in price. but they last
for generations, and for good, honest
people Ike you, payments rs you
please. Your parlor? Wonderful lady,
but my sample exactly fits"
mo. no." demurred Lena, lifting
OBTAINING hand as her visitor made
a movement as II 10 unroll and display
the rug he carried. but with def, ma.
giclanlike movement he gave his bur
den twirlng fling. and It settled down
over the parlor floor without n wrinkle.
.''Oh, the beahty," irrepressbly en-
tltnsed Lens. and her sparkling eyes
rested With delight upon the marvel OF
beauty.
The exquisite colors. technique 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 dilatc upon
its excellencles when, CHANGING TO
glance ont into the garden, through
the open window, he gave a vivid start
and his eyes dilated. Lena suspecled
some play.acting. hut with an earnest
ness that was positively asitated. Omar
Kluva gasped out:
LADY. the flower, The sacred sun
rose of Lathay! Here, So far from
home, in an alien soll OH. lad, can
| see nearer? Can purchase one Of
the blooms at any price? It Is not for
myself. though ! am overjoyed. but
for my sick brother who, wearied and III
In an unfrlendiy land, is pining for
something Of his native country
The quivering finger indicated n
high-fowering stalk, a rarity. indeed.
which had grown from some seeds civ
en- TO Norman by foreign travelling
salesman. who had told him. that II
was an Asiatic novelty. The blossoms
were large as sunfower and. grow
ing In towerike profusion, resemblcd
a 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. ladyr' he said. TREMENDOUSLY
Iondling one Of the blooms, ut will
bring home TO poor Ait and its seeds
will cure his distemper." i
~ 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 a card attached 10 it's under
side he traced the words. Omar Kluva
and Brother. % River Street"
1--WE must hunt up this strange vis-!l
iior OF ours, Lena he said, and after
supper they sought the living place Of
Omar Kluva. He occupied two rooms
in n large tenement building, and he
Saldamed to the ground as Lena APP
peared.
see" he said, pointing TO a couch |
on which a man. his prototype, lay, |
holding in his hand the sun rose
bloom. He sleeps peacefully and
with smile on his face. A sight or
the flower alone made him better"
You forgot to take away your
rug" began Lena. when Omar Kluva
made gesture OF eXtravagant dis
sent.
''Ah. ladyl Like in fairy story,
fate sent YOU the gift, 1t is yours,
with the love and gratitude OF Omar
Kluva and his brother"