The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-11-21


him, a stranger, against my instruc-
TONS"
He sat on, listening to the rude mu-
sic of the waters, which, to him, had a
sweetness all their own, for since his
childhood he had never been absent
| long from their subtle influence.
Arabs and Egyptians came and went,
but Forbes paid no attention to them;
he was thinking of his lost wife and
child, and wondering why Heaven had
treated him so cruelty in wrestling them
from him, and leaving him to mourn
their loss in utter desolation of heart.
He was aroused from his reverie by
one of the walters saying harshly,
"Now then, out you go; we don't want
beggars here"
II can pay you, your highness." said
an aged Egyptian, humbly. ''Do let
me rest; am very tired. Tell me, do
you know Pasha Forbes; want to find
him; he's my friend"
'sWhat, Abdullahr exclaimed Forbes,
starting up and Selling the beard of
the speaker. "Why, you must have
risen from the dead.'
The waiter waited to hear no more,
now that great pasha had recognized
the poor Egyptian as his friend. Like
others of his class he was impressed by
externals, and measured man by sur
rounding circumstances.
my dear MASTER" cried the poor
fellow, sliding down to his knees and
embracing Forbes feet ''Oh! the Joy
Of this meeting. Allah has allowed
me to live to see your dear face once
more"
Raising him up, Forbes placed hina
in chair, and ringing for the waiter,
ordered him to bring a plentiful rcpast,
saying to Abdullah-
Eat and drink first, then tell me
what my heart yearns to know"
"How can / tell my lord of the pastp"
said the poor fellow, whose looks and
general appearance were enough to
touch the stOniest of hearts.
my wife-what of hcrp' asked
Forbes, huskily.
Abdullah turned his face away to
hide the tears that rolled down his fur
rowed checks.
Enough, L am answered; but the
child?"
"Shc escaped, my lord"
l. y
said Forbes, fervently. ''Abdullah, we
must not part again; to make you hap
py and comfortable will be the sole aim
of my life.
They sat and chattcd on, and when
closing time came, Forbes took his
faithful servant with him to his ship
an Egyptian ironclad-named the Khc-
dire.
Next morning Valescoe and his wife
came aboard, under the escort of file
of marines, commanded by sergeant.
''Will You give me your parole not to
attempt to escape, Mr.. Valcsco?" asked
Captain Forbes.
''Yes, sir" was the quiet reply.
Good; you are free from this NOM
! ent to go anywhere over the ship; but
it would look better if you keep to your
cabin until we clear the harbor. My
state cabin is at your disposal"
Mrs. Valescoe put out her delicate
white hand, saying, in soft, musical
voice. ''Plcase accept my best thanks
for your kindness to my husband. Poor
Charles has been badly treated; you are
the first person that has said kind
word to him for months
Valescoe and his wife disappeared
down the companion ladder, leaving
Forbes deep in thought as to what his
prisoners crime could be, and why he
had been sent on board the KhediUe, in
conjunction with that mysterious sealed
letter and equally perpleXing instruc-
tions.
However, he had too much on his
hands Just at the moment to bestow
more than a passing thought on the
subject.
The huge ironclad left its moorings
in the charge of native pilot, and
steamed Stewards past shore, dotted
with forts to the west, and lined at the
eastern end by an almost uninterrupted
succession of white public buildings,
including the pasha's palace, masked
by a forest of masts, both of merchant
vessels and men-of-war, abreast of it
being the-docks and arsenal.
An Eastern sun glnted on mosques
and minarets, and made golden the
spilly leaves of the date palm, while
scores of native boats skinned over
the sun-kissed waters like swallows in
search of prey.
Captain Forbes stood ON the deck of
MS SOou snip drinking IN the scene
with keen relish, although it was as
familiar to him as was his own identity;
whilst there came over him one Of those
strange prcsentiments, that come and
90 like the idle wind, that he was look
ing on the shores of the Pharaohs for
the last time.
Once out at sea, he had time to make
the acquaintance of the Valescoes, to
whom he seemed strangely drawn; so
much so, in fact, that he was never so
happy as when enjoying their society
Mrs. Valescoc was charming lady,
gentle and winning, but with the fire of
genius and courage in her black eyes
that swan in liquid light.
One day, Abdullah, who had been
utterly Frustrated by sea sickness,
crcpt on deck to get a breath of sea air,
and to look upon the bright sun, so
dear TO his heart as denizen of torrid
cline.
"Well, old friend" said Forbes, smil.
ing at the old man. II see YOU have
found your way on deck at last. You