The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-07-29

out a word. Evidently he was re-
solved never to mention the thing
again.
Peggy began to be unhappy. She
cried when she was alone. After only
three years their beautiful dream was
ended. Fate had been only waiting for
the rug or something like the rug to
thrust them apart. 1t had been an In
strument, that was all. So Peggy
argued.
There came black day. AT 4:a0
the telephone bell rang. She heard
with thrill of expectation Bob's
voice:
"Td like to bring somebody home
to dinner, PECAN old friend. Tom
Messiter. How about it?"
''Bring him right along!" she cried
joyfully.
A guest, any kind Of guest. was
welcome. There was too much strain
of late in facing Bob alone. She made
every preparation and when she heard
approaching footsteps opened the
door. Bob presented his friend, a
thin, oldish-looking young man.
DINNER will be ready in mo-
ment," Peggy said, turning to go. But
something Mr.. Messiter did made her
pause. He was looking down at the
threshold rug; he picked up, carried
it to the light, examined 1t.
Genuine, by Jove!" he calculated
you've got treasure here, Mrs. Ell
lott"
atoms a connoisseur-batty about
rugs" Bob said, with slight laugh.
"But I tell you, man, this Is the
real thingl Where did you get It'll"
he demanded of Peggy.
"Bob got it," she answered.
"Did you know what you were get
ting, Bob?" asked Messiter.
Bob shrugged his shoulders.
"You don't think I'd pay 500 for a
bit of woven wool unless I did," he
retorted.
"a hundred dollars :" Peggy ciasped
her hands.
''rll give you twe-three-any price
you name for it," retorted Messiter.
leave it to Peg" Bob said.
"Now Peggy's face flushed. "It's
my anniversary gift. I don't care
what it cost or what 1t is worth"
her voice broke, "its-its intrinsic
value-it's priceless-to me-because
my husband gave 1t to me-"
With a sigh Messiter flung down the
rug.
"All right then" he said. "But I
shouldn't use it on the floor any more,
Mrs. Elliott. I would place it on the
wall"
Peggy picked up the rug and held
it above the mantel. '"There!" she ex-
claimed.
Messiter stepped to her side, took
a couple of clips from his pocket
and fastened the rug to the wall.
eff Martin could only see it now"
he murmured.
MARTINI cried Peggy wondering.
Messiter bowed his head.
"Martih, daughter of Lallach, of the
tribe of Sussach-see This is her
signature" He pointed to some queer
looking characters woven into the de-
sign. Doubtless this was the master
piece of her career as rug weaver,
for 1t was her dowry rug when she
became the bride of brave Nasr. Long
and patiently she toiled," he was gaz-
ing at the rug, apparently reading 1t
as If it were scroll. Long and
faithfully she loved, earnest hard
working little Martin. Never did she
dream that some day her bridal rug
would find it's way across thousands
and thousands of miles of land and
water to a home in the new world OF
which she had only vaguely heard.
Little did she dream that long years
after she and her beloved Nasr both
slept In their tombs the little rug
should live on to perpetuate their
love. May it's presence here bring good
fortune to this househOld-may 1t
teach you to love as Martin and Nasr
of Sussach loved"
He turned to the window and gazed
out dreamily. Behind his back Peggy
flung herself into BOb's arms, lifting
her tear-wet face for his kiss.