The times., 1897-03-13

my folly in supposing it could have any
magic power over him; yet l was unable
wholly to disbeleye it.
My son had grown negleotful, or perhaps
l Should say forgetrul, OF me- He was
Kindness itself when he Thought of me or
my comfort, but oftener he would sit in
profound thought, as if puzzling over some
problem, scarcely noticing when Said Yus #
attended TO my wants Once only asked
Arthur for some attention, and when saw
that he performed the little service me
chanically, his thoughts far from it, it
hurt me so that l never asked again
Indeed, l was so ike to relapse into
my former Illness that Dr. Casaldi, a
clever Italian enough, but no physician
of minds, was as puzzled as he was dis
tTessed. 1t was in a state of half deHri-
ium, presaging anything but recovery,
that / lay one night when a dark form
gltded to my side and a welcome cup Of
cool water was held to my lips
'Salam alcikum, Effendi,'' Whispered n
well remembered voice; 1T is little care
thou hast since / left thee, and thy son
was bewitched of Queen Ameniiitis.'
Greeting to thee, Ali, son of Hasan,"
said /, peevishly, for indeed 1 was i'll
enough; ''and where is thy club"
The Effeudi knows replied Ali
with the utmost composure, that l
meant him no harm. But he Is q strong
man and 1 was fain to strike twice, and
even then failed in what l would have
accomplished"
Il know that thou art as honest as
fool may be- l muttered. What mag
got breedeth in thy vein now?"
mot in mine, Effendi but In thy son's,'
returned Ali. Thou art weak, l know;
but stronger thou shalt never be till thy
sons madness is cured 1t is best that
thou shouIdst rise now. Said Yusuf sleeps
soundiy.'
/ am inclined to think that the entire
household was sleeping the sound sleep
which comes of Eastern drugs Said Yu
suf was as one dead. The young German
physician left in charge by Casaldi, who
had been called away for the night, made
no sound. The native servants, whose
sleep usually so deep, yet so light, made
no stir as Ali Hasan, with infinite tender
ness, half led, half carried, me to the tent
next mine, where my boy lay sleeping.
Spite of my giddiness from the unaccus
toned exercise, could but feel keen anX
iety as looked do wn upon him. His young
face was flushed and damp with perspra
ton, his hair was tossed and disordered.
He slept uneasily muttering in his fevered
visions, and could see that his right hand
gripped tight the accursed heart scarab.
Bending over the sleeping figure, Ali
Hasan seemed, as well as 1 could see in
the dim light of the moon, to hold some
substance to the nostrils. pungent
smell filled the room, and Arthur, with
a sigh, sank back upon his pillow in
sleep as profound as Said Yusuf's.
rs it the will OF the Effendi that
should take away the heart of the witch?"
asked Ali Hasan, and seeing that l Was
too weak to reply or resist, he attempted
to wrest the stone from Arthur's grasp,
but in vain. Then from-the folds of his
black gown, Aliproduced two small, smooth
rods of ebony. Using these in somewise
that could not quite see or understand, he
pr.ed apart the clenched fingers. just as
the stone left his hand the lad uttered
low moan OF pain or distress. Hastily
Ali slipped into his hand another stone
Of the same size and shape as that which