The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-06-28

had weakness for the Frangi not pleas :
ing to his people. But Latour's good
work in the council and the field had
proved the wisdom of his choice for the
high rank of colonel, and the campaign
in Abyssinia earned the brevet of hey,
the khedive not being permitted under
the firman to give the rank of general.
"Well, orderly" the colonel said. in
Arabic.
The man stepped forward and pre-
sented letter in long official envelope.
The only thing about it un-English was
the Turkish signet in great splay of
black wax. 1t was very brief, stating
from the minister of war, the court be-
ing then at Alexandria, that British WIS.,
itors of great consideration and largely
interested in the Suez canal would at
once visit the capital, and that his high
ness desired every courtesy shown them
by the ranking officer then at Cairo.
"Peki! Gal" he said to the orderly in
Arabic; the man saluting, making the
rightabout and disappearing like an /
automaton.
more of these cursed English" La.
tour added to himself III French, as he
rose and strobe about the room. "More
boredom with titled donkeys, all whis-
kers and eyeglass, and frowsy old red
faced dowagers! Nom du diable! why
cannot his highness keep them within
the light of his own face! 1t is bad
enough to command his black soldiers
and train his infdel officers! Not much
better than if had taken the oath and
applied for niger regiment! But this
bear leading for John Bull is worse. I'd
rather, ten to one, have the Sheik Abou-
Ali refuse to pay the tri butte, and be
sent to squeeze it out Of his black hide.
Ali Ahmed's escort back? Perhaps
mayw
With smile at his own warmth over
trife the Creole changed his mood
walking calmly to the window that over
,, looked the court below. The clatter of
hoofs and challenge of the guard had
died away; and he saw handsome
young officer dismount, give an order to
his sergeant and, as the troopers of the
escort rode off, disappear under the port
al The next instant, preceded by the
orderly, he entered the chamber and sa-
luted.
Well captain" Latour queried in
French, "what did the sheik answer"
Literally nothing, colonel" the other
answered in the same tongue. "We
smoked many pipes and drank much
vile coffee, under his tents at Minieh,
and we also paid many compliments.
Sheik Abou-Ali spoke most Loyalty OF
his highness; but | could only induce
him to promise to send trusted mes
senger of his own to Cairo with letter
: regarding the tribute"
Captain Ahmed Mustafa was higf
Turk of influential family, young, tai
ented and soldierly. One of the youne
Egyptians sent to Europe by Said Pashi
for education, his tastes were Partisan
rather than oriental. He was Latour'
adjutant, and more nearly his frien'
= than any native officer
"But you know these Arabs, colonel,
Ahmed added. "From our conferenc
have no idea that the sheik will pa
. the tribute"
> "Then we will doubtless be sent t
. bring it," Latour answered. at will b
: a pleasant change from garrison routine
. captain. But you have hard ride, an
% % need food and rest"
y AS the younger soldier saluted, abor
" to turn away, the sharp note of the bug
70 rang out clear in stable call, foatin
fainter from across the river at the ca
y airy barracks.
y "By the way, captain" Latour adde'
/, "order the officer in charge Of evenir
stables to report the number and cond
" ton of the extra mounts. His highne
is sends fresh squadron of beefeaters
or be furnished with horses. That is all.
ne AS the other disappeared, Latour ella
ty ped his hands to summon his Arab ser
It's ant, soon donning his brilliant, gold i
g. crusted uniform of the staff. For Ism;
Ell Pasha delighted to load his officers wi
a more gold and color than most of the
&c could carry gracefully.
IT. Scarcely was the military toilet CO.
plete when the clang of the sentr
ed musket sounded from the court, follow
lg, by his call for the sergeant of the gual
I'd Almost Immediately heavy feet hurri
We up the stairs, and the orderly appear'
Id almost brushed aside by the close folio
let ing visitor He was a burly six foot
he red faced and with long flowing yell
i'd whislers. A huge veil turbaned
he linen helmet, and black straps eros
in and recrossed the broad chest Il
Tx, seemed struggling to escape from
of wax fitting cutaway of dingy pl
ing tweed.
,ck Delighted, my dear boy! delight
his really" he cried heartily. Didn't HI
,ir, an idea, you know, till they told me
les the Hotel d'Orient Knew you were
the Egypt, my dear Latour, but ha(
md guessed our good luck.-hadnt,
nix, honor! Lady Martindale will be
his lighted, as am, really!
Latour started forward and gras
ave Lord Martindales hand warmly.
in II am equally charmed" he said
ned daily. Glow this does bring back
lee times! Why, | was cadet, my Il
cial the last time we met; and Lady Mar
of dale is with you? A double pleasure
the Throwing himself on divan, the
,op- glishman ran on about the boredol
hat travel, Lady Edths Unsuitable desire
ates change, his interest in Suez canal l
lner tiers and the extreme courtesy of
ling Khedive Ismail. Meanwhile he dl
ex- all the coffee and smoked all the I
nan steadily provided by the diligent
bouque-ghi of the host.
J,a. TO BE CoNTINUED)
ugh 100000 ,.t-.---