The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1920-02-05
The Rose of
Vishti
By ALVAH JORDAN GARTH
lcOpyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union

Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper UnionJ
Bardsville was all agog when it was
known that the old Baythorne place
had been purchased by one Alan Tres
ham and that he and his sister, Mrs.
Eunice Woods, u widow, were about to
restore to the quiet little town some
OF its ancient social prestige.
| Rumor had it that an uncle of the
pair, who had made vast fortune in
India had left them not only an in
comparable collection of Eastern
treasures and curiosities, but also
rye cash fortune. THE uncle was a
! ocular rajah they say" yiiiage wise
acre announced. He sent this fortune
! over by an old family servant, one
Singh, who is model of loyalty to the
family. They're high jinks, | tell you,
and they won't mix much with us com
mon folks, I'm thinking declared the
! old gossip.
But never were caviling critics more
agreeably disappointed. 1t seemed as
If typical spirit of youth and beauty
came to the community with the adj
vent of Alan Tresham md his sister.
Marvellous stories were cDlG of the
unique oriental furnishings OF the new
| home. Marion Deane was the first to
| be invited as a visitor. The Deanes
/ lived next door to the beautiful old
mansion. Marion was hanging out
| some strips of lace and ribbon 10 dry
near the dividing wall, when a sweet
voice hailed her and sweet face
smiled over at her.
Gould you come over for n little
| chat and bring q basket with you,
| pleaseY suggested Eunice Woods. and
went on to- explain that the strawber-
/ ries were rotting away and were too
delicious to thus neglect.
Marion was started for home with n
! four-quart basket filled to the brim
with the luscious fruit and an invita-
| ton to come over again later iu The
day. 1t was then that she met Alan
| Tresham. It was then too that he
took her through the downstairs rooms
of the house, showing her the curios-
! tiles In the cabinets. the collections Of
rarities and curiosities which his uncle
had acquired.
Within a week Marion was the
| chosen friend of brother and sister.
The newcomers encouraged locsl trade
/ generously and programs were outlined
for various fetes at the grand old
| place, to which everybody was liz
vlted.
Then one day the whole town was
| startled by the report that burglars
had made a raid ON the mansion. Dur
! ing the temporary absence of it's i'm
| mates every cabinet had been ran
| sacked.
but not a single article taken away"
/ Alan explained to Marion. "See. even
/ this basket filled with precious stones
/ has not one missing"
81 have discovered something" at
that moment reported old Singh. and
| he handed to his young master am OBJ
/ long piece composed Of bamboo fiber
/ and rice paper. Across it's face were
! number Of hieroglyphics
What does this signify2 inquired
/ Alan.
ut is a warming"
From whomT
From some emissary Of n secret or
/ der Of the hill tribes Of the upper
/ Ganges"
but why should I be warned2"
Because these tireless fanatics be.
I HeVe your uncle has sent you some
/ sacred mennonite. which they have been
! deputizcd TO recover at all hazards. "
81 wish they would simply come out
/ from under cover and tell what they
want They are welcome to it," OH
served Alan in his generous, Iight.
spirited way.
"They did not visit my ROOM" Mrs.