Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-06-29
CHAPTER

ne Message in the sox.

t-rHrat.us the possibility of ny
-l arriving bate. Z had named the
E- .. ug meeting with cummings
.s .r.a u'a.ues. and. In consequence
r. .-l H.ael.u- tle lty exactly on
. was compelled Go lu.ter Idly
l.s I. hotel lI- aH hour. However.
l r.--a- through tile corridor my
axiom VAS attracted by uu unique
Hg sl.p uleuFglus small side
u aEl merely lB pas, the time
l-.g. q entered and began exam
- tle strange collection Ot wares
a. E.
There were several articles / lin
e. rsar. tempted Co purchase. but
.rs#l ul. rather undecided. until my
e-- r.reaygl q very quaint iacguend
.. BOX. uf a class ~ workmanship
rra unusual The proprietor. PER
cr- uy Interest. Joined me.
l.s laEe. box attracts you he
s.. pleasantly, opening the case and
t-.-r- 90 forth. you have love Tor
s.. E.T->
"a .Her interest 40 least" admit
ta tasting lle article from his hand.
#l collector iu Uu amateur way. What
ls --e .ur->lre.y not Jap
lr-E
No." smlIu-.y. Although posi-
lively L cannot answer as TO its or
l-r The Inscription. which can only
t H.I with "a microscope traced
-. bis lu-er--js ancient Arabic.
l-. -r wild Arab ever did the lacquer"
-a.- SD strange CIrio must have a
History aE imaginary one. az least.
WAT Is rEe sroryg-
positively none he admitted re-
-.IT. The fact Is. this article was
found Fy @ Chambermaid In one u the
L.. rooms. and turned in 90 the man
r-- Zee made every effort 10 trace
ta --rsrs. only % learn that they. two
E-a Ey the way. had registered false
-T. ue even advertised. but with no
r~r mise. and finally. after thirty days.
VAS Persuaded 10 accept my offer for
tEr article
"lul have put a price on thlsT'
eyes r.ticulousiy low. no doubt. yet
tf--.-- me q good profit"
BE- D-uEi price. and. sin with the
t-E 1 my hands yielded 10 the temp
E.- and bought Il. The article was
sHu-,y small 70 ind Judgment In
a- -EHrc1at pocket. and. as Cummings
red a little later. was soon FOR
El il the earnestuess o. our con-
..rl- We later had dinner to-
E-. aud attended the theater tn
euy. my mind 50 occupied with
E matters that I scarcely once
Ht rf the strange purchase I had
@ which remained securely hid
- Do WINS only after returning 20
E nEu nom. then nearing midnight.
-. go was again recalled 90 memory.
only ru itIe curiosity and q feeling
E rrIessuess induced me 10 draw
t article forth. and remove its wrap
EE-s tut the sight served immedi-
% Increase my interest. IL was
e r.y q wonderful fnd. artisticaIly
-rL and most unusual In design.
was a mystery that must have
rL-e-ei q strange spell over my
--lt.0n. Tor dreamed ~ the long
workman who fashioned II. for
s ~ the passing night hours. A
eeeE somewhere in the neighborhood
";. and ! counted twelve. arouslng
-ss- Perhaps I was already half
sE for as I turned 20 rise my
see struck the box az the edge OF
ne able and before I could prevent
.l. Il lay upon the floor at my
ts-
AZ, 7 stopped hastily 70 recover the
uei box. I was asfounded 10
Fer The bottom slipped partially
as though some secret spring had
truchs,i. revealing so narrow a
'e.acie that the ordinary eye would
@ suspect the possibility OF its ex-
a Not only was there a false
l. bit the opening revealed
folded paper. I grasped this
y. g thrill running through me.
t2t ancient and long-buried message
@~s about 70 be unfolded1