The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1920-03-08
15e Gift Of
Fate
40
GH0
BY ALvAH JORDAN.GART
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(Copyright. 1919 by the Western News
paper Cn!on.)

her husband. Everything looks so
nice except the bare floors"
won't they be just the thing for
warming:" questioned Norman Dawes.
You see, I've got n good deal OF
pride" added Lena, "and want to
appear as coy and comfy as possible.
with so many of my old school chums
coming"
Vow, don't you get worrying" con
soled Norman. "If any remarks are
made, just buntly inform the critics
that the high cost of living wouldn't
permit new furniture and rugs ut tile
same time"
"Well we two are happy and cen
tented, anyway. so what does it mat
ter If seine ill-natured critic like Mrs.
Parmly lnspects our belongings with
magnifying glass, and says mean
things about our being threadbare and
shoddy, and all that? She called me
that once, Nornan--but I'm not shod-
dy. am !, dear:'
"You? Why. you're solid pure gold,
my pet" cried Norman fervently, md
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 honse-warming function.
Fate Seemed to enforce reminder
of that coveted paror rug. 1t was
about noon when footsteps sounded in
the hall, and there stood thin, black
eyed man, dark skinned and wearing
fez and gauly sash. He carried a
thick, folded fabric over his arm, and
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-Oniy the best.
Perhaps high in price, hut they last
for generations, and for good, honest
people like you, payments as you
please. Your parl6r? Wonderful lady,
but my sample exactly fits"
mo. no." demurred Lena, lifting a
OBTAINING hand as her visitor made
a movement as If TO unroll and display
The rug he carried but with delft ma
9icianlike movement, he gave his bur-
den a twirling fling, and 1t settled down
over the parlor floor without wrinkle.
ooh, the beauty" irrepressibly en-
Unused Lena. and her sparkling eyes
rested with delight upon the marvel OF
beauty.
The exquisite colors. the unique pat
tern blendings, the perfect harmony or
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 dlated. 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 | purchase one of
the blooms at any price? 1t is not for
myself, though I am overioyed, but
for my sick brother who, wearied and i'll
in an unfrendly land, is pining fot
something OF his native country
The quivering finger indicated a
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 il
was an Asiatic novelty. Tie blossoms
were large as q sunfOWer and, grow
ing in tnwerlike profuson, reSembled
! 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 TREMENDOUSLY
fondllng one Of the blooms, sit 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. lie
was lost in admiration of the rug
Then on card attached 70 its under
side he traced the words. "Omar kluva
and Brother, 90 River Street"
| I'VE must hunt up this strange Wis
itor Of ours, Lena" he said, and after
supper they sought the living place OF
Omar Kluya. 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 a man, his prototype. lay
holding in his hand the sun rose
bloom. "He sleeps peacefully and
with a smile on his face. sight OF
the flower alone made him better"
"You forgot to take away your
| rug" began Lena, when Omar kluva
made n gesture OF eXtravagant dis
sent.
"Ah, lady! Like in fairy story
fate sent you the gift. 1t is yours
with the love and gratitude of Omar