The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-08-28
In THE NICK OF TIME.


Old World Idyls-Austin Dobson.
In THE NICKOF TIME.
aGood night, FRIEND" said man in
long cloak, with broad brimmed
hat shading his features, as he walked
through the streets of Alexandria, that
home of the Pharoahs, Captain For
bes, or more properly speaking, Pasha
Forbes, believe"
ayes, but you have the advantage of
me, friend, was the reply spoken in that
bluff hearty way so peculiar to sailors.
"To whom have I the pleasure of
speaking?"
"To the Under Secretary of the
Egyptian Admiralty. I was told I should
find you here. But let us draw aside,
have an important letter to deliver to
you, with instructions, was the pleas
ant spoken reply. "You smoke, pre-
sume?"
eyes; thanks" said Forbes, helping
himself to choice cigar from the
protfered case. "Shall we enter cafe;
we can talk and smoke over our coffee ?"
The pair entered a French restaurant,
when Forbes, who was quick at reading
character, saw from his companions
face, a handsome one of the true Greek
type, that his mission was one that
deeply moved him.
Both sat on in silence over their cof-
fee, neither caring to speak, as they
looked at the Oriental scene before
them.
It was the occasion of fair called
Abu-l-Abbas, which derived the name
from the tomb of great saint.
Forbes and his companion were seated
on terrace overhanging the sea, which,
as usual, was restless and rolled in with
an incessant murmur, splashing against
the feet of the houses that lined the
shore.
The moon was just at this time hang
ing over the hill of Kom- el-Dyk on the
opposite side of the new harbor, so that
it revealed the rushing waters, and al
lowed the gaze to extend far out across
the sea on the one hand and to trace the
black outlines of the houses and forts
and batteries on the other.
Above was the placid sky, crested with
stars that We'd in brilliance with the
moon herself, which shone over land
scape that even Claude would not
have disdained to paint.
"Hcre is the letter." said the secre-
tary, handing him square missive
with the Egyptian official seal stamped
on black wax.
Almost mechanically Forbes was
about to break the seal when his COM
panion arrested him by saying:
''No, not now; the letter must be
opened at the time and place named in
these instructions" handing him another
letter without seal.
missive. and at once saw that some mys-
terry was attached to it.
"Humph! I am to sail tomorrow
morning." he said; lis anything in the
wind ?-of course don't want you to
betray confidence; but the affair is al
together unexpected.
Exactly -just SO" said the secretary,
drawing closer to him: "you will have
two passengers; Mr.. Valescoe and
his wife-a charming woman"
II am fortunate; but there, suppose
must keep my curiosity in check until
the proper moment arrives, said Forbes.
who was too much the disciplinarian
himself, when duty was concerned, to
attempt to draw the other out.
"Valescoe has incurred the displeas-
ure of the government. J. am putting
myself in your power by saying so
much. May rely upon your forbear-
ance, Captain Forbes?"
eyes. SIN very susceptible where
women are concerned. May tell you
why?"
IF you please, Captain"
"Many years ago, when first enter
ed the Egyptian service, had a wife
and child-a lovely girl who was the
very sun of my existence"
Hereupon the speakers voice became
husky, and he turned his head aside to
furtively hide tear.
"They are still living, I trust" said
the Secretary in sympathetic voice.
''Alas, I cannot tell. In crossing the
desert we were attacked by Bedouins.
1 defended my wife and child to the
death, but was struck down. When
I recovered consciousness I was alone.
From that day to this I have never
heard tidings of my lost ones duty has
supplied their place hitherto, but in the
silent watches of the night I often lie
awake and wonder if they and I will
meet again this side of the grave"
pray Heaven you may, my dear
Captain, when the proper time ar
rives, l think may rely upon your hui
manity; and excuse my saying more"
Wringing the Captains hand, the
Secretary left hurriedly, evidently too
overcome to say more.
What q strange AFFAIR."" thought
Forbes. Evidently the scaled letter
is connected with Valescoe. I NAV be
able to render him O. service; but honor
and duty forbid that I should favor him,
stranger, against my instructions.
He sat on, listening to the rude mu-
sic of the waters, which to him, had
sweetness all their own, for since his
childhood he had never been absent |
long from their subtle influence.
Arabs snd 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"
Il can pay you, your highness, said
IN aged Egyptian, humbly. do let |
me rest; I am very tired. Tell me, do |
you know Pasha Forbes; want to find |
him he's my friend"
What, Abdullah! !" exclaimed Forbes.
starting up and Selling the beard Of |
the speaker. why, You must have