The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-09-15
A LUXOR INCIDENT.

''That you, Scott? Come right up,"
said Victor Lanrow in answer to an
impatient ring at his telephone.
Despite the closely drawn shades the
August sunshine was fltering into the
Office, and the light breeze from Lake
Michigan scarcely stirred the oppressive
atmosphere. The reading of the manu-
scripts which the assistant editor had
passed on to him for final approval or
rejection had made eyes and brain alike
weary, and his friends visit was a well
come distraction.
"Well, who is the winner of the first
prize?" Scott inquired oheerily.
"a man named Edwards of Macon.
There's story like better. but it is
out of the question.
"Sounds contradictory"
"Yet it isn't. That which takes ones
fancy isn't by any means always the
best from literary standpoint. This
one is entitled AN Incident at Luxor. +"
"Then ought to be judge of it's
merit. spent three months at Luxor"
cit is a distinctly amateurish at
tempt, sketch rather than a story,
quite ineligible for publication as it
stands, yet much more convincing than
any of the prize stories. The writer has
evidently been to Egypt and .snot lack
ing in observation. There are no wild
flights of fancy borrowed from travel
ers' journals. 1t is simply plain state
ment of facts, every word bearing the
impress of truth. The inven tive faculty
is altogether absent"
lyon make me quite curious. Let
me read it," Scott said, smiling.
"No; you have not my patience.
Your experience has been confined to
condensed newspaper paragraphs. You
would probably lose sight of the story
in the crudeness of its setting. I'll give
you brief outline of it if you like. -
'The heroine, if she may be so styled,
is young English girl, making a trip
to Egypt under the chaperonage of some
aoquaintances. The hero is a journalist
"a graduate of Harvard-the Egyptian
correspondent of Boston paper. The
narrative commences at the point where
the Tewfkieh company's steamer Mem
phis arrives at Luxor and is moored at
the foot of the steps which lead into the
hotel grounds.
"Our heroine enters the writing
room, the only other occupant of which
is the journalist. He has already been
two months at Luxor, and being So
ciable fellow is getting more than lit
own company, so the dainty apparition
in the cool white gown is welcome in
truder upon his solitude
Scott looked up, suddenly attentive.
"He knows enough of English pecul.
iarities to be sure she will expect him
to remain as blandly unconscious of hel
presence as she appears to be of his, but
copy. which judicious interview oi
| this sedate maiden may provide, has
been scarce with him recently, and hi:
professional instinct will not permit
him to neglect such a golden opportu
| nifty. Accordingly he opens the conver
sation by telling her how impossible il
| would be for a countryw oman of hi
| own to sit still in a rocking chair''
| Scott leaned forward, his eyes gleam
ing ouriously.
| "Victor, what is the authors name?'
| artright-Anice Cartright''
| "Ahp'
Lanrow looked up inquiringly.
| ''Do you happen to know her?"
| 81 once knew somebody of that name
but she did not live in this country, ant
she was not literary Go on.''
American frankness gradually over
coming English reserve, the two youns
people become friendly. They discove
that in many things their tastes are sim
liar, and during the steamers thre
days stay at Luxor their friendship
grows apace. Together they wande
among the ruins of the temple of Luxor
sketch in the shadows of Karnak's pill
lars, and lunch without misgiving il
the tomb of Seti L. In fact, it is cas-
of love at first sight. Is it necessary t.
add that when the Memphis leaves fo
Assouan our impetuous oompatriot ha
asked his three days acquaintance t
marry him? Do l make you tired
Scott?" for Scott's elbows were restin
ON his knees and his head ON his hands
"No; am interested. OF course, tn
girl says Yes, and they live happ
ever after?''
"You forget she is English. Sh
promises to give him her answer whe
she returns with her party from tn
cataract. -
"WelI?"
Scott sat upright again, strange eS
pectancy in his voice.
"The steamer on its home journe
arrives at Luxor in the early morning
The river is falling rapidly, and,
avoid running on to sand banks and cor
5 sequent delays, the manager of th
! Memphis decides to sacrifice the intent
r ed extra two days stay at Luxor an
| prOceed direct to Cairo The hotel vii