The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-27
Chapter II Continued.

AA~S-'
Chapter II Continued.
Fatima, half bewiidered looked round
to Roobker. what does it meant" she
said with fear
"MeanP' said 1Boobker, soornfully.
"That another man has been betrayed
by the beauty in q woman's face.
but Fez-We are to go as hostages
hostages for whatefor whom"
"For Omar" said Booker. Ibid L
not tell you that there was man to
stand between then 7"
Fati1na was terrified. 1--WE shall never re-
turn - she cried. EThey will kill US. l
dare not go. Oh, oh, oh. -
She dropped to the ground and the
blankets fell from her head; oo..v hon
in ), SAID BOOKER This is what it comes
to. oh Miserable is the man who builds
his house Cd the deep pit that is harloU'
heart"
He carried Fatin1a back to the tent
Rachel was standing aside with her lace
covered by her hands. :,
s'Cruel, cruel, false tool yet deserve It
au,'' thought Rachel. 20, that conla
atone for my misdeed. is there no way
Ieftp Heaven direct me, speak to me.
little Hosein. who had been half asleep
where the Mahdi had left him. near to the
month of the tent, now came drowsAy TO
her side and tugged ct her dress.
RACHEL" he whimpered, 1.-The Mahdi
said I was to be the first to go INTO Fez-
and mother has-mother 1s-Wno is TO
take me now?'' p..o,
uCalI me mother, Hosein, and will take
"Will youP'' said the boy.
eyes, yes"
"Peace! Peace"
"The soldiers from Fez,' thought
Rachel. She snatched up FatiJna' s
blanket from the place where II Lay, Gov
cred her head and answered, "Peaeel"
Two soldiers came up to the tent mouth
n Fatiua. sister of the Mahdi, and hosein
her son, where shall we find themS' they
asked.
Rachel lifted Hosein into her arms and
answered" Here, here; we are ready.
The next moment oil four had gone TO-
gether.
Chapter III.
In the earliest light of morning a young
m an out OF Fee came creeping, lamp IN
hand towards the tents of the Mahdi.
"Asma,'' he cried in whispers.
The girl knew his voice and came out
to him.
OUAlU5A! SiAO CAAS>As s~-~~~ ~Ss
each others arms.
Crying already ~
isn't it q whole year since saw you
last?" the girl blubbered.
'sShe can't help 1t, being only a
woman said Gilman, wiping his own
ewes by stealth. "But hush. listen. m
here on a dangerous mission. Where's
the Mahdi?''
Gin his TENT said Asma.
ssGood,'' said Gilman. che thinks his
cause is lost, but he'll conquer yet. When
Omar and your father came in disguise
and we're detected they were thrown into
the Kasbah, and the Basha made me
their TAILOR 'Now's my chance, [
thought. TO win my little Asma from
Otba.
"Well, wellp''
"Well, I puzzled and puzzled, and
didn't know what to do.
"Well, well?'' repeated Aama. iInpa-
"Weu, was driven to my wits end
"That couldn't have been very far,
Othman,'' said Asma, with saucy beet
of her foot. 'sIf your wit wasn't quicker
than your tongue no wonder it ran no
great distance.
tHai hal ha! Do you know, Asma,
they say your great-grea5-g great
grandfather was the best ssoryteller In
Morocco. Well, my chance came at last
-today-tonight-an hour ago. When
the white flag arrived from the Mshd1
the Bagha said to his Kaid. Razor cut
razor-treason cut treason-he tried to
betray us, let us betray him. Then he
came for me. 'Othman,' he said. go
him the Mahdi lies outside these walls,
and ask him to send me five thousand
men tonight and We'll catch the rascal
like rat in u trap.
"Well, well?"
"Well, then went to your father in
prison. 'Otba,' whispered, If l bring
back five thousand Of the Mahdis men
instead of the Kaid's will you give 1ae
Asma?'
Turn Mahdist,' he said, and / will
Eve been one ali my life, answered
that was a lie, but no matter. Then it's
done, he cried. and here ] am. What s
this? Crying againl Oh, this is sweet
Worldi"
'How can help il being only a
woman?'' said Asma. "l'll run ami kiss
little Hosein-just for joy Of the good
news"
"Wait. wait, waiti'' cried Gilman.
eff kissing will relieve your feelings
couldn't you now
Couldn't I-whata"
stCouldn you kiss me instead?" and he
tipped up her chin and kissed her.
sit was very clever of you to think OF
that, Othman," said Asma.
"1'he kissingP"
"The way to catch my father"
80, it wasn't that thought Of III. 1t
was the saints. Every morning went to
the saints, house and prayed, Holy saints
show me how to win my little Asma'.
"But what will the saints say when
they know you've told my father lie?'
90, well-umph-" faltered Gilman,
''the saints were flesh and blood them
selves once, SO they'll have fellow feel
ing. But / must be off, Asma, listen
I've arranged everything but one thing,