Evening star., 1922-03-12


cause my aunt was tangled up in the
swami's net. See here, are you a
newspaper man." -.
Mr.. Casey gulped: How did you
guess it?"
II suppose you've been keeping an
eye on the place? That's how you
were hanging about this morning, Is
it?
! IF you want to know, 1 was keep
Ing an eye on you" admitted Mr..
Casey shamelessly. II thought maybe
that filthy Hindu had hypnotized you
or something"
Not yet" said Enid with en-
Are you in hurry to get DOWN
town."
who. me?" Mr. Casey grinned. and
reached for his cigarette case. Miss
sSparhawk, I have all day-and then
| some! Suppose we drift to the Choco-
late Shop and have lunch, eh? I'd like
to compare a few notes with you"
Ends eyes were dancing as she
| switched on the magnetic and started
the car. And Mr.. Casey grinned de-
lightedly at all the world.
'I'll get a story out OF this yeti" he
averred. And he dld-but not the sort
he expected to get.
At noon on the day following these
events Swami Lal got Mrs. Sparhawk
on the telephone and filled that wor-
thy soul with joy. She had intended
accompanying Enid to the service Of
publication. but Swami Lal advised
her not to do SO.
'The ceremony" he said. in his
unctious tones, "is really intended to
| open Miss Sparhawk's spiritual eyes
to the blessed light, dear woman! 1t
will be private, and it may be pro-
longed If the astral forces favor US.
Your niece will return in the course
Of the evening. Do not be alarmed at
her absence-rather. be overjoyed! It
will be sign that she is receptive to
the vibrations from the higher plane,
and that she has become one of u.s."
Trembling with delight. Mrs. Spar
hawk promised to hold the message
confidential. and rang off. Luncheon
| over. she kissed Enid goodbye with
tears of gladness brimming her eyes.
and retired to read her cosmic devo-
ltions-published by the TaIismanic
Brotherhood at one dollar per throw
| y X + K
EN1D arrived at the temple taking
for granted that the whole con-
gregation was to be present. She
was admitted with two salaams from
one of the white-clad brethren. and
found that the entire mystic para
phernalia was being staged. Til.
temple was darkened against all light
of day. From the ceiling suspended
a brass lantern studded with many
colored glass and inclosing a small
electric bulb. which lighted the place
solemnly. and with religious dimness
The sweet coolness Of the room sur
prised the girl, until one of the breth-
rem came and examined the cloisonne
ice chest. Then she realized that the
thing was really being used, and was
remarkably effective. Her practical
mind cogitated on what became Of the
water from the melting ice, but she
reflected that it would probably re-
main in the bronze chest
Now came the whole bag of tricks
The two attendants lighted some tiny
candles and revealed several small
shrines that f1anked the Lord Buddha
One held a crucifix, another the name
of Allah on a tablet, another an image
of the Virgin. and yet another the
six-pointed star, of judah Blasphem-
Gus. No. not exactly, Swami Lal
without knowing it, was barking back
to that Persian gentleman who found
ed a comprehensive religion that en-
braced all religions. There was moth
ing small or petty about the Swami ;
Jew or Gentle, he would take in all
! who came. And the Swami probably
knew that only about 40 per cent Of
Americans are Christians.
Several incense burners were light
ed. and blue flames began to oppress
the GOODNESS of the room with glowing
eastern scents. One Of the attendants
| brought tackle and set it by Enid
Sparhawk: on the table he put a
F., pitcher Of water and glass Slow
and stately music made itself heard
a phonograph. cunningly veiled and
muff1ed until the canning factory was
! lost. Then, with a final salaam to
! Lord Buddha, the two brown ones
vanished.
X y 4
THE Swami made his appearance
l He ignored Enid Sparhawk. and
saluted Lord Buddha, then seated
himself in an attitude of receptivity
! The incense perfume became more
overpowering. The girl turned for
relief to the water beside her, and
| drank. She touched her lips with her
tongue, wondering at the taste, then
reflected that the abominable perfume
must have reached her palate.
Swami Lal spoke reverently. II am
| waiting. unseen ones! he intoned,
pudgy brown hands clasped across
his stomacher. Let the light enter
into my soul and be translated forth
in words that shall reach the initiate
with mystic appeal
There was more of this. Enid Spar
hawk began to be sorry that she had
come. --sidently it was private
seance. and she did not like the idea
at ALL She took another drink. WheE
she sat down the glass, Lord Buddha
was grinning and wavering before
her eyes.
"If they don't ventilate this place
I'm scream!" she thought.
Suddenly. she realized that Swami
Lal had risen. was standing at he-
side, was looking at her, reaching for
her hand. Then, at last. some sense
of danger came to the girl, but too
late.
She tainted wordlessly.
I, II
looked at the water pitcher, and
c,;clr cfan fool him fo fh q