Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-05-14

nights and weeks Of anxiety, he could
rejoice; the sealed case was now abb
solutely under the protection of the
American eagle and the American flag.
And they summed UP the cost--the
gentleman of the Southwest and the
couple from the Middle East, but the
cost was nothing, comparatively-noth-
ing for so astonishing a prize, paltry,
Insignificant Ave thousand.
All day kilograms fluttered. All day
the sun sparkled. The young man,
elate and restless, went around chirp-
ing of everything but that in which
he was so entirely absorbed. The i'm
perishable beauty arrived on the last
Tuesday in October, 1 think, in the
evening, at which time the amount In
volved was counted over and paid.
The opening of the case, the presenta-
ton, 1t was agreed, should take place
on Wednesday and the Orientals
should slip in when and as they chose
and view the celebrating scene.
That day passed and night came and
at Meims host of friends gathered
jolly companions, old schoolmates and
gay acquaintance Of more recent
date. There were few extremely
comely women. There were some ar
lists and two actors, as yet unknown
but talented. There were clever jour
nalists like Mommsen and Travers and
there were some of the learned set,
too-Kerr, the great Psychologist, and
the celebrated Madam Cecilia Brown,
whose last notable work, "The HARM
Conspiracy Against Rameses Ill.," had
just been published
Probably the guests numbered
thirty In allan uncommonly assort-
ed but uncommonly genial assembly.
The drawing rooms were temporarily
closed. The reception was held In the
spacious dining hall. From ten to
twelve o'clock they supped there and
wlned and chatted. On the stroke Of
twelve the doors of the nelghboring
apartments were flung open.
All arose simultaneously and focked
forward. The drawing rooms, redec-
GRATED and wholly transformed pre-
scented in themselves q novel, sumptu-
Gus spectacle. The youthful and In
genious Mems, however, gave no one
leisure to note particulars. He id
vanced toward the central archway,
under the dazzling light of many arc
lamps, where, supported by low TIA
BILE of carved porphyry, rested the
mysterious case In full view-a
strange case of fine wood wrought at
the ends and the sides with line after
line of wonderful hieroglyphics.
my friends" said the host, II am
going to introduce to this charming as
sembly one of the rarlties Of the East,
one of those exquisite objects so sell
dom seen--a beautiful mummy, the
possession of which has been the dear
dream Of my life. l promise you l
have here, not only true princess Of
the royal blood, but the papyrus that
was buried with her, containing her
complete, romantic history. 1 call now
on Mrs. Brown and General Kerr to
assist me in unsheathing my treas
ure-my princess"
These words, surcharged with deep
emotion yet clearly spoken, created a
profound sensation. The general and
the Honorable Madam stepped for
ward, trembling and mute; the others
instlnctively shrunk back into a circle
around the general and the lady and
the host, who Immediately set about
their task.
The lid was raised and an aroma of
| know not what perfume arose. In
side they found tinted soft grasses and
weeds in every crevice, magical ce-
ment, rare oils that time had solidi6ed,
myrrh and fine dust Of frankincense,
and then again strange weeds, and
when these were cleared away, there
was the form almost invisible In u
long quaint sack--a sack fashioned Of
odd cloth dyed and perfumed afresh,
shedding still different odor that
permeated the entire atmosphere Of
the rooms. II was so delicious and yet
so pungent that everybody who shifted
up the odor suddenly sneezed. Within
this curious sack, too, were other curl
Gus wraps, thin broad bands Of tissue
finer than the daintiest web. These
we're unwOund and still there were
silky, new wraps and fresh-scented
bands.
so, at last, with surprise and eager
ness, with fevered interest awakened
at every Instant, with dancing eyes
and quIckened pulses and flushed
faces others Joined in the process and
II was then, In the haste and excite
ment OF the moment that the treas
ure slipped from the various hands
and fell rolling on the floor.
Necks craned, movements this way
and that, JOstllng, confusion and
then came vOlley Of CALCULATIONS
sharp words and smothered laughter,
as those present discovered the pet
baboon OF the gentleman Of the man
sion, which had been missing some
days and which now lay before them
stiff and cold, clean-shaven and wholly
unadorned.
"And the Oriental pals2" said Ira
vers, aside.
"Oh, on the jump toward Cairo, I
guess" said Mommsen.
Just then Mems. with complexion
Of greenish pallor but smiling and
sweet-tempered, walked up behind
them and ran his arms around their
shoulders.
Mum" said Mnlms.
"Wby, yes-Of course said they.
Sometimes 1t happens-but that's .
small matter.