Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-12-03

mad thrown among them the handful OF
loose change she usually carried in heI
pocket for beggars that the men disap.
peared.
swell. Mis- Thorne, are you satisfied.
Is ascending the Pyramid the delight.
iul experience you anticipated {? And
how do you feel as to historical associa-
tlonS and antiquities now?r
'Oh, my arms" groaned Florence
irfelevantly.
And my back ~ walled Louise.
Think what pair of guys we shall
DE going home Look at this great tear
in my tiounce ; and there isn't a string
left anywhere !''
A long silence followed. while the
two girls, totally regardless of perhaps
the most interesting and striking land
scape In the world, ruefully examined
their tattered toilettes.
But even the most careless and frivo.
lous must at last be impressed with
such a sight as met their view: and the
two friends gradually relapsed into a
dreamy revere while, forgetful of
aching limbs, eXtortionate Bedouins.
and ruined iinery, they gazed out over
the prospect of mingled life and death.
fertility and desolat:on.
The quiet was interrupted half an
hour later by the return of the Bedouins,
who put to flight all serious reflections
by their repeated demands for bakhshish.
Florence, somewhat frightened 10y their
geSticulations, drew out her purse and
endeavOred to satisfy their demands by
thoughtless liberality. But, alas, they
caught sight of a few glittering gold
pieces, and, pocketlng the silver be-
slowed upon them, grew every instant
more exorbitant in their demands and
more threatening in their gestures.
They declare they will leave us here
all night if we do not give them every
thing in our purses" said Louise, with
a white face.
As she spoke, the men angrily turned
to depart, reiterating their intention of
leaving the two girls to their own de-
vices, when Florence sprang desper-
ately towards them and threw the purse
into their midst.
'There-take 1t F.; it is all we have !"
she cried Historically. Nothing could
induce me TO stay in this dreadful place
all night
The men grinned, retired for mo-
ment, and had a hurried consultation
among themselves then, to the girls
utter amazement, one of them ap-
preached and began over again the i'm
Fortunate cry
'BdkhSbiSh-bdktShiSh
Louise managed Indignantly to ex-
plain that they had already given every
penny they had but, to her consterna-
ton, the man still continued his de-
mand, at the same time pointing to the
ornaments they wOre-fOrtunately very
few and of little value that day.
mo, no ~ cried Louise /; and the
men really departed, with the cheering
information that they should not re-
turn.
''Oh. Louise, what shall We do"
cried Florence, in an agony OF terror.
Must we call them back 2"
Certainly notl" her friesd ex-
claimed, almost sobbing with yexation.
1T is too outrageous. We can't go
down alone. of course; but perhaps
some other party will come up"
VI Whdt dBltdlCu lbC lNO
girls waited alone in the midst of the
deathlike awful desert. At last the
sound of scranbling steps greeted their
delighted ears. Looking over eagerly,
their disappointment was at first intense
at seeing only the returning figures of
two of their prosecutors but, IN their
terror and loneliness, the sight of any
thing human was something of relief.
Il suppose we must do what they
ask" muttered Louise, lingering her
silver bracelets regretfully. Fortunately
her watch and chain, as well as Flor
ence's, were hidden under the outer
garments they wore.
Just then the two men appeared at
the top with their accustomed demand
this time in triumphant jeering tones
of success. Silently each of
the girls removed her bracelets and ear
rings and surrendered them into the ra-
pacious grasp of the Bedouins; but this
was not enough. They roughly seized
a hand of each ; and the two friends
saw that they must part with their
rings as well.
Thank Heaven, my gloves were too
tight to allow of anything but this
plain gold ring ~ muttered Louie,
while Florence laid milk-white pearl
in the outstretched dirty
hand.
Another ring had been below the
pearl-a peculiar arrangement of tur-
quoises, so small as to have been almost
hidden by the pearl. This Florence
made no attempt to draw off-On the
contrary, closing her hand very quickly
and doing everything in her power to
hide it. Unluckily she had not been
quick enough; the man saw her mo-
ton, and, imagining from her reluc-
tance to part with it that the ring was
Of value, insisted upon having it also.
''No, no, no ~ cried the girl. ''You
surely have enough this 1 will keep"
"But, Florence" said her friend,
frightened by the cleaning eyes, the
fists, and the angry menaclng
of the barbarians in whose
power they had so completely placed
''that ring lsworth nothing
You surely will not
allow all the other things we have sac
rificed to go for nothing just for that
tritie 2"
"Oh, / can't can't! l must keep
my ring ~ cried the girl, fairly break
ing into fit of hysterical weeping but
the Arab seized her hand, tore off the
ing with jerk, and the next instant
.he terrified girls found themselves be-
ng dragged down to the ground even
more expeditiously than they had as
,ended.
Their carriage awaited them at some
distance, and they were soon driving
,long the shaded road to Cairo, as mis-
srable detected, sorry-looking pair as
could possibly be imagined.
Louise, promise me solemnly never
% tell soul of this escapade, said
Florence Imploringly, as they drove
swiftly towards home. Il should die
IF modification if my friends-espe-
,ially Mr.. Norris-heard what we have
zone through"
''Of course shall keepquiet, "Louise
responded. ''But now should like to
know the secret of your affection for
hat trumpery little turquoise ring.
At first Florence obstinately refused
my account of the ring; but judi
.ious mixture Of coaxing and reproaches
loon put Louise in possession OF the
acts of the case. Lloyd Norris had |
Deen the donor, having asked Florence