Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-02

moonlight. In the base of the rock was
narrow opening leading to small cave or
cell, formerly, according to tradition, occu-
pied by saint and hermit of supernatural
powers. Meryon looked into 1t, and saw
space about eight feet in diameter, hewn
out of the solid rock. By heaping a few
loose powders at the entrance 1t might
be made dungeon more secure than
chamber in a New York safe-depoSit COM
pany's vault.
The animals were watered and fed. The
camels squatted down in their usual alb
surd fashion, with their legs curled under
them and their noses on a parallel with the
horizon. The drivers curled up beside them
and promptly went to sleep. Meryon did
not feel sleepy. He wandered about. think
ing over what had happened. and speculat-
ing as to what might be to come.
1t was like mixture of the Arabian
Nights and a comic opera at the Casino
this predicament into which his artistic
and susceptible temperament and devil
may-care habit had brought him. No doubt
his mother-wit and audacity had that day
saved his neck. but only to put it in yet
turn out well. what sort of a figure would
his oriental bride cut in the drawing rooms
of the four hundred. and at Newport, Lenox
and Bar Harbor?
do!' said he to himself, with chuckle.
But the chuckle died away. How about his
being hanged for spy?
Would Ebal succeed in bringing her to-
would; then the man Of the world took a
hand and hoped he would not. The adj
venture was as near being desperate as 1t
could be, already; with her to take care of,
it would lap over about 80 per cent on the
wrong side. No; the princess was safest
in her own harem for the present.
The moon mounted to the apex Of the
dome Of heaven. In another hour or two
dav . would begin. 1t became chilly. The
Stiffness was broken only by the low gurg-
ling of the spring, a sigh from the camels.
or the sound of the horse cropping the
in for an hours nap. Hank!
A noise like & faint pulsation, far OF. 1t
grew stronger. but he could not yet fix its
preaching from the city. A horse-a single
horse; Ebal, alone; he had not brought
Terah. "Confound him. muttered the
lover. "A good thing. too" retorted the
The horseman. whoever he was. now
came up rapidly; yet, in that strange light.
it was difficult to distinguish him. At
times he utterly vanished, like phantom;
then he reappeared, shadow-like; but each
time nearer. All at once, as it were. up
he rode in flesh and blood. Yes. 1t was
Ebal.
said Meryon, stepping up. Ebal was evil
IDENTIFY much exhausted; he reeled in the
saddle. and would have tumbled on II
Meryon had not caught him. why. you
poor little kid" muttered he. compassion
ately.
Then he gave sudden start, and stared
in the youths face. Ebafs soot-black hair,
his eyes and features; but this supple
young body which his arms held was the
body. not of a boy. but of girl! He al
most dropped her in establishment
'sTerah! What, Terah? Well. by the
great horn spoon! Why, you cunning little
sweetnessw Here he kissed her. "Tuck-
cred out Ell? 1 should think she might!
And all sole alonei What became Of Ebal?"
The princess was nearly at the end OF
her tether. Being an oriental, she did not
faint; that art is little understood In the
east. But she rested in her lovers arms
like little sack of soft peaches, and did
not in tt least resent his demonstrations
of affection.
Light of my SOUL" she murmured, lam
I safe? oh. am so thirsty-and hungry!
Oh, such a ride! That hard saddle can
hardly move my legs! Are we alone? It's
so strange being without a veil! These
ren's clothes-how I must lookH
.Meryon set her down on a pile of rugs
beside the spring. He got a bottle of wine
and some food, and made her as comforta-
BILE as he could. You look like an angel"
he said: though not like male one, In
spite of that rig. You're feminine, my dear,
inside and out. Luckily that Arab streak
in you-wherever you got it-Ebal has it.
most Of 'em; and that burnous doesn't tell
much: still. the sex Is written all over you
and whoever takes you for a boy Is an ass.
But what about Ebal? what's the matter
that he didn't escort your
The princess, whom the wine was begin
ming to restore, laughed family, as a school
girl over some bit of roguery.
I'VE exchanged dresses and places, lord
Of my heart" said she. "Ah. I often wish