The Portland daily press., 1898-01-18
GALL RIGHTS REsERvED.A

REsERvED.l
be. Yet he was cruel then, and now
he's callous. Look, he can sleep on the
very spot. Ugh! Couragel Courage"
She stepped aside. 1t must be done, -
my choice of Omar. He loves me, and
the lot fell to him. He will do it-he
will do it.
Taking up the lamp she went noiseIess-
" out of the room. No light remained
except that of the stove falling on the
Mahdf, and some rays of moonlight
which came through the window to The
patio
Chapter VII.
In the silence Omar entered nervously.
He looked around like man in terror.
'sIhe very room, he thought 'Was
1t is full of them. The odour of that
awful night-the desk-the door, and
turning towards the Mattress the very
spot He returned to the door and
pushed it open as if about to fly. Then
with glow of resolution he closed the
door again. 'sPsha That's dead and
done with. =
the Mahdi. Asleep he thought.
g XIII man in sleep! You can't do that,
Omar. I'll go back He stepped
back and then stopped. 'Asleep-per-
haps dreaming Stricken by this
thought he stepped aside. 81 dare not
God knows l dare not do it" He told
himself. He returned to the door and
stood with one hand on the door Intel.
"But Rachell'' he thought. "'She
is waiting. Rachel, my love my life. .
80, Ol'' 1t was midnight. Not a
sound in the air. Suddenly the chant of
the Mooddin came from the mosques.
"Allah- u Kahar"-God is great.
''The Mooddin 1t must be done.
At least l can awaken him" thought
Omar.
He went back to the mattress, sword
stMadhil Madhi! awake Your time
has come"
The Mahdi woke and opened his eyes.
but he did not rise. s'Omar" he said,
calmly.
tRisev' cried Omar. ''Who have you
to save you nows There are but two
of us here and he branished the naked
Beuani.'' said the Mahdf, calmly
'sThere is a third-there is God -
Omar was cowed at the word; he let
fall his sword in his terror, and at the
next moment the Mahdi had leaped Ito
his feet and snatch it un. NOW. Omar,
who is there to save you?' he cried.
Omar dropped to his knees. None,
noner' he answered. The Mahdi
handed the sword back to Omar, saying,
Then learn mercy from me.
''Mahdi Master! Lord! / am your
slave for ever, cried Omar.
There was sound of hurrying feet
the door from the patio opened, and
Asma; entered in great agitation.
"My lord, Omar is, coming" she
began, and then, seeing Omar on his
knees she stopped in dismay.
Omar leaped to his feet. God of grace,
forgive me! Only half your danger is
past" he said.
s'What is the rest?' said the Mahdi.
"Jonas the jew, my father, and many
more are outside the house," cried
Asma.
''It is true," said Omar. cat my
watchword they were TO enter and
plunge their knives into your BODY
The Madhi stepped calmly to the door
way overlooking tho market place. -
see them he said. They are III the
Sok ell Foki."
: Omar with his sword in hand slipped
to the doorway LET them GOMEZ he
said, ''and God help him that comes
first."s
The Madhi was still looking out
ssThey are ten to two he said.
impossible, saidethe Mahdi.
"Escape, my lord, escape p CRIED
Asma.
UBe calm, my daughter, be calm, u
said the Mahdi. "Do not alarm your
mistl ess. She will be asleep" Then
in another voice, Is there no other way
out of this house?"
the girl.
'sThen I must go through that" said
the Mahdi He turned to Omar.
Brother. dare you take my place on
that mattress until L have passed out OF
this door?"
''Try me,'' said. Omar.
''Give me your soolham,'' said the
Mahdi.
Omar took off the cloak and the Mahdl
put it on.
iesWhat is your watchword?"
90 God is great.
The Mahdi turned to the girl Con
oeal yourself, child, and God bless you.
Now, STENCIL
AsIna crept out. Omar stepped to the
mattress and prepared to lie down. AT
that moment the faces of men were
seen in the moonlight through the door
way:
undertone caro- you ready Omar?''
READY p said Omar. He was now
lying on the mattress.
The Mahdi stepped to the door. The
faces met him. "God is great, he
cried.
''God is great" answered voices from
without.
The Mahdi passed through. At the
| next moment three men rushed into the
room, crying "Death to the Madhi!'
Omar rose from the mattress, and al
sight of his face the men fell back in
dismay.
.tOmar?' they cried.
At the same moment Rachel returned tc
the room with the lamp.
s'Omarl'' she exclaimed.
"Fool!" cried Otba.
'FIraitor!'' cried Jonas
The Mahii had escaped.
(To tie continued.)