The state journal., 1884-12-06

On they went, faster and faster, unit
Florence, gasping, groaning, almos
weeping, felt that every bone in her body
must be broken or reduced to pulp. Why
| had she forgotten her very small Arabic
vocabulary? Why could she not remem
Der some expression with which to implore
these iends to moderate their pace? All,
thank Heaven, a word had occurred to
her, "Ydlla, gglla! "-and the men few
on with red0ubled speed
Florence, " came voice from above,
uncertain between tears and laughter,
''you are telling them to go quickerl IS
tannG, istannat" And now to Flor
ence's inexpressib}e relief, she was set
down for q moment On one of the steps.
But even such an exceedingly mGrCGiS
quart d heUre as this must have an end,
and the top of the Pyramid was reached
at last. Utterly exhausted, the girls
threw themselves upon a low seat; but
not yet were they to rest. Again the
Bedouins began their wild dance around
them, while deafening importunate cries
of "BGkltshish :" sounded in their ears;
and it was not until Louise had thrown
among them the handful of loose change
she usually carried in her pocket for beg
gars that the men disappeared, and they
were left in peace.
"Weli, Miss Thorne, are you satisfied :?
Is ascending the Pyramid the delightful
experience you anticipated2 And how do
you feel as to historical associations and
antiquities noW?'
ooh, my armsr groaned Florence If.
relevantly.
''And my backn walled Louise,
Think what pair of guys we shall be
going homel Look at this great tear in my
fiounce; and there isn't a string left any.
wherev
:. A long silence followed, While the two
girls, totally regardless of perhaps the
most striking landscape in the world,
ruefully examined the tattered toilettes
which had been'chefS-dau0 Of Madame
Pauline's skill only half an hour before.
But even the most careless and trlvO-
lous must at last be impressed with such
a sight as met their view; and the two
friends gradually rclapsed into a dreamy
reverie while, forgetful of aching limbs,
eXtOrtiOnate Bedouins, and ruined tinery,
they gazed out over The prospect OF
mingled life and death, fertility and des-
olation, with here and there the huge
colOrless monuments erected in the sand
by the hand of man, reminding the spec
tator-like the desert itself-of death and
eternity. Close by was the Sphinx, rails
ing its monstrous head threateningly from
the dust, and farther were the Pyramids
erected by old-time Egyptian kings to
keep their names green in the memory OF
man. The scene was sombre, to be gazed
at in silence and awe.
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 6dkh8At3b.
Florence, somewhat frightened by their
gesticulations, drew out her purse and
thOughtless liberality. But, alas, they
caught sight Of q few glittering gold
pieces, and, pOcketing the silver be-
slowed upon them, grew every instant
more eXOrbitantin their demands and more
threatening in their gestures.
"They declare they will leave rs here
all night if we do not give them every
thing in our purses, sad Louise, with Il
white face.
As she spoke, the men angrily turnsd
to depart, reiterating their intention of
leaving the two girls to their own devices,
when Florence sprang desperately to.
wards them and threw the purse into
their midss
"There-tahe it; it is al we have" she
cried Historically. Nothing could in,
duCe me to stay in this dreadful place all
night.
The men grinned, retired for a mo-
ment and had q hurried consultation
among themselves; then. to the girls
utter amazement, one OF them approached
and began over again the importuuatc
cry
OVERWHELMINGLY"
Louise managed Indignantly to explain
that they had given every penny they
had; but, TO her CONSERVATION, the man
still continued his demand, 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 in for
nation that they should not return,
Louise understanding enough Arabic to
comprehend the most of what they said
ooh, Louise, what shall we dO?' cried
Florence, in an agony of terror. Must
we call them back?"
Certainly not" her friend exclaimed,
almost sobbing with vexation. ut is too
outrageous. We can't go down alone, of
course; but perhaps some other party will
come up"
For what appeared hours the two girls
waited alone in the midst Of the death
like, awful desert. At last the sound of
sCrambling steps greeted their delighted
ears. Looking ever eagerly, their disap-
pointment was at first intense at seeing
only the returning figures of two of their
prosecutors; but, in their terror and lone
illness, the sight of anything human was
something of a relief,
Il suppose we must do what they ask,
mute. ed Louise, lingering her silver
bracelets regrctfully. Fortunately he,
watch and chain, as well as Florence'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 signif-
cant of success. Silently each Of the
girls removed her bracelets and earrings
and surrendered them into the rapacious
grasp OF the BedOulnS; but this was not
enough. They roughly seized 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 anything but this plain
gold ring i" muttered Louise, while
Florence laid milkwhite pearl reluC
tantiy in the outstretched dirty hand,
Another ring had been below the pearl
"a peculiar arrangement Of turquOises, SO
small as to be 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
motion, and, imagining from her reluct-
ance to part with it that the ring was
of value insisted upon having it also.