The state journal., 1884-12-06
AN ORIENTAL ESCAPADE.


party Of English speaking tourists were
discussing in rather an irreverent mau-
ner subject that was deserving OF more
respectful treatment than it was receiving
from the good looking broad shouldered
young American and his fair haired Eng
lish companion with the silky dropping
mustache, who, for the benefit Of their
friends, were giving a description of their
scramble up the Pyramid, whence they
had returned just before dinner.
"a truce to your sentiment % cried the
American, Harry Thorne, when his
friend ventured to speak of fantastic
legend Of the spirit Of the Pyramids.
Think of the condition Of the man that
pushed you up r.
II halter myself had the advantage
Of you, Thorne," returned Lloyd MOTIFS,
with 3 shrug of the shoulders Tor any
thing more appalling than the state Of
that coppered colored villain who dragged
you would be difficult to imagine Wash
ing in the Jordon seventy times seven
would be scarcely too much to purify us
from contact with such fellows"
Harry ThOrne's pretty sister Florence
was listening with eager interest to this
silently at first; but the
odolrous sigh which was heard in the
pause following the last remark called at
tention in her direction.
whats the matter, FlorTy, my pet p
asked her father. Are you mourning
over the bad fit of your last new dress or
the uncleanliness of the Bedouins of the
DESERT
Neither. papa but, if you all knew
how ardently desire to ascend the Pyra-
mid, am sure you wouldn't oppose me
so neartlessly in carrying out such pro-
jsct.
Now, Florence, don't be donkey :"
srunted her brother.
MY dear, put such an idea out of your
head at once" was her fathers dictum.
Its certainly is the last place in the
world for ladies ;" while her mother
added
Surely your brothers experience
ought to settle the matter for you, my
child p
''Mr. Norris, do you think it is so very
bad2 2" cried the girl, turning with last
remnant of hope to the only member of
the party who had said nothing-she was
not accustomed TO opposition from this
quarter.
Lloyd Norris was lying back rather
lazily in his chair when thus addressed,
and, before answering very slowly, sur
vsyed in a somewhat absent-minded,
msditative way the lovely flushed
face of the girl awaiting his decision so
anxiously-
Il am sorry to say anything disagree
able, Miss Florence but | am afraid it
would have rather damaging effect upon
my respect for any lady to imagine her
hauled about in so free and easy style
by such pair Of fellows"
Florence draw back, flushed with vex-
alton and the next remark came from
the other end Of the table, where, I'M
noticed, raw -boned, masculine looking
American lady had been listening to the
whole conversation.
Gentlemen, you are all quite mis-
taken" she said emphatically. Ladies'
who are moderately strong can ascend
the Pyramid with very little inconveni-
ence. / know what am talking about,
for have been up there twice, and hope
to go again before l leave Cairo.
Florence glanced gratefully at this un-
expected champion the others--a little
stArtled-found nothing to reply for a
moment and in the pause which fol-
lowed the stranger rose, and crossing the
room, walked out on the adjoining yer
andah.
Upon my word, that's cool old
lady - murmured Harry, as all, with
the exception Of Florence, rose from the
table.
care you coming into the garden, Miss
Florence p asked Lloyd rather depre-
catingly, lingering behind the others and
turning to Florence, who had not favored
him with word or glance since he had
expressed his unwelcome opinion.
mo, thank you, responded the young
girl freshly and she disappeared on the
Verandah.
Miss Arabella Brooks was standing at
the farther end, looking down into the
street; and TO her Florence Immediately
made her way, walking quickly, as if she
somewhat doubted her own resolution.
Madam" she began nervOusly, Il
beg your pardon. You said, | think,
that you have been up the Pyramid?"
yes Miss ThOrne, have answered
Miss Brooks, with an amount of energy
which some what startled Florence "and
l hope you will not allow all that non
sense to which you have been listening
TO keep you from going up too p
"You really think it might be done p
Intercepted Florence, not giving her
courage time to evaporate 81 mean, do
you think ladies could do it alone, with
out gentleman? Two ladies together;
for instance?
"a gentleman p calculated Miss
Brooks, in sonOrous, scornful accents,
loud enough to cause Florence TO glance
nsrvously in the direction Of the garden,
dreading possible auditors. II should
like to know what possible good man
could do you Don't talk nonsense,
Miss Thorne Any woman who respects
herself and has the least atom Of com
mon sense can 90 wherever man can
go. Why shouldn't she, should like to
know"
Miss Brooks was looking defantly at
her companion, as if she expected an
answer but Florence, being unprepared
for such question, only stared mutely
in some alarm down into the street and
Miss Brooks, uttenng an impatient sound
that was something between a sniff and a
snort took her departure.
Florence remained long time where
Miss Brooks had left her, listening alb
sently to the sounds of the busy city
around, perfect pandemonium of bark
ing dogs, braying Of donkeys, moaning
of camels, rafting Of the brass vessels
ofthe water carriers, cracking Of drivers
whips, with here and there solemn cry
OF the muezzin from the minarets, calling
the faithful to prayer, running through it
all-for now was the time for the work of
the day to be over.
or all this Florence took little heed,
for the words of Miss Brooks had had
their effect The seeds of rank rebel
lion were sown in her mind, and she
was recklessly planning mutiny and de-
csption impossible to imagine in the
fair haired innocent looking girl stand
ing so quietly at the shaded end of the
yerandah