The Lamar register., 1921-09-21

Not muscle on Laklngton's face
twitched. though II was the thing he
had been playing for. Instead he
seemed to be sunk In thought, while
the duchess continued pleading, and
the rest OF the party added their en-
treaties Then. as II he had decided
suddenly, he swung round.
II will try" he announced briefly,
and the duchess headed the chorus Of
delight. "Will the Presences stand
back, and you, your Grace, take that?"
He handed her the piece OF material.
mo hand but yours must touch the
pearls. Wrap them up inside the Sill
yer and gold" Aloohy he watched
the process. "Now advance alone, and
open the box. Place the pearls in
side. Now shut and lock IT," Obedi-
emily the duchess did as she was bid;
then she stood waiting for further in
structions.
But apparently by this time the
Great Brooding Spirit was beginning
to take effect. Singing a monotonous,
harsh chant. the Indian knelt on the
floor. and poured some powder into
little brazier. He was still close
10 the open window. and finally he sat
down with his elbows on his knees,
and his head rocking to and fro in
his hands
Less light-less light!' The words
seemed to come from a great distance
-ventriloquisn In mild way was
one of Lakingtons accomplishments:
and as the lights went out greenish.
spluttering flame rose from the brazier.
A heavy. odorous smoke tilled the
room, but framed and motionless in
the eerie light sat the Indian. staring
fiIedly In front of him. After time
the chant began again; 1t grew and
~welled In volume till the singer grew
frenzied and beat his head with his
hands. Theu abruptly 1t stopped.
place the box upon the floor" he
ordered. '.in the light Of the Sacred
Fire" Hugh saw the duchess kneel
down on the opposite side of the
brazier. and place the box on the floor.
while the faces of the guests-strange
and ghostly In the great iight-peered
like specters out Of the heavy smoke.
This was undoubtedly u show worth
watching.
open the boxr' Harshly the words
rang through the silent room. al with
fingers that trembled little tn. .tuch-
ess turned the key and threw back
the lid
"why, it's emptyr she crieh in
amazement. and the guests craned for
ward to look.
Put not your hand inside" cried
zK.l. .t....
chance 1t will remain empty
The duchess rapidly Withdrew her
hand and stared incredulously through
the smoke at his inpasslve face.
did / not say that there was power
in the box" he said dreamily. The
power TO render invIsible--the power
to render visible. Thus came pro-
lection to the jewels OF the Chow
queens"
That's all right, Mr.. Ram Dar."
said the duchess II little apprehens-
lively There may be power in the
box, but my pearls don't seem tu lie"
The Indian laughed.
-None but you has touched the cab.
met, your Grace. NONE hut you mus
touch It till the pearls return. They
are there now. but not for mortal
eyes to see"
Which, incidentally. was no more
than the truth.
Look, oh sahibs, look; but do not
touch. See that to your vision the box
is empty. 80 He waited motion
less, while the guests thronged round,
with expressions OF amazemeEt; and
Hugh. safe from view In the thick,
sweet-snelling smoke, came even near
er In his excitement.
ut * enough cried the Indian
suddenly. shut the box, your grace.
and lock IL as before. Now place IL
on the table whence II came. Is II
there?"
''Yes." The duchess voice came out
of the green fog.
go not too near he continued
warniEgly. THE gods must have
space-the gods must have space"
Again the harsh chant began, at
times swelling 10 shout. at times
dying away 10 whisper. And 1t was
during one Of these latter periods that
low laugh. instantly checked. dis
turbed the room. II was plainly audi
BILE, and someone irrltably said. BE
quietr' II was not repeated, which
afforded Hugh, al any rate, no sur
prise. For IL had been lrma Peterson