Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-01-04


Obtain the Sacred Cabinet of the
Chow Xmas"
"Supposing you took my pearls, MIR.
Ram Oar" said the duchess difIident-
ly. Il know that compared to such
historic jewels they are poor, but per-
haps it would not be sacrilege."
Not a muscle on LakingtOn's face
twitched, though it 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 if he had decided
suddenly, he swung round.
II will try" he announced briefly,
and the duchess headed the chorus of
delight. "WilE the Presences stand
back, and you, your Grace, take that?"
He handed her the piece of material.
mo hand but yours mus touch the
pearls Wrap them up inside the sill
yer and gold" Aloofly he watched
the process. Nov advance alone, and
open the box. Place the pearls in
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
a little brazier He was still close
to 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 Iight-less ligftT The words
seemed to come from a great distance
-Yentriloquism in a mild way was
one of Lakington's accomplishments;
and as the lights went out a greeniSh,
spluttering flame rose from the brazier
A heavy. odorous smoke filed the
ROOM but framed and mOtionIess in
the eerie light sat tie Indian, staring
tixedIy in front of him. After a time
the chant began again; it grew and
sweled in volume till the singer grew
frenzied and beat his head with his
hands Then abruptly it 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
brazer and place the box on the floor.
While the faces of the guests-strange
and ghostly in the great light--peered
like specters out of the heavy smoke.
This was undoubtedly a show worth
watching.
"Open the box! J" Harshly the words
rang through the silent room, al with
fingers that trembed little the tuch-
ess turned the key and threw back
the lid.
"Why, it's empty" she criea. in
amazement and the guests craned for
ward to Look.
Put not your hand inside" cried
the Indian in sudden warning, 'or per-
chance it will remain empty
The duchess rapidly withdrew her
hand, and stared incredulously through
the smoke at his impressive face.
did l not say that there was power
in the box?' he said dreamily. 1.-The
power to render invisible-the power
to render visible Thus came pro
lection to the jewels of the Chow
queens"
"That's all fright, Mr.. Ram Oar"
said the duchess a little apprehens-
lively. "There may be power In the
box, but my pearls don't seem to be-"
The Indian laughed.
''None but you has touched the cab
met, your Grace; none but you must
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.
"Iook, oh sahibs, look; but 90 not
touch. See that TO your vision the box
is empty. - He waited motion
less, while the guests thronged round,
with expressions of anazemeHt; and
Hugh, safe from view in the thick,
understanding smoke, came even near
er in his excitement,
1T is enough" cried the Indian
suddenly. ~Shut the box, your grace,
and lock it as before. Now place it
on the table whence it came. Is it
there?'
Eyes" The duchess voice came out
of the green fog.
$50 not too near" he continued
warnirgly. 1.-THE gods must have
space-the gods must have space
Again the harsh chant began, at
times swelling to a shout. at times
dying away to a whisper. And it was