The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-12

mite them before the sun had dropped
below another bar of the windows.
She did not ask her future husbands
wishes or his permission. She simply
stated her sovereign viii, and looked
that it should be carried out forthwith
For long enough Wenlock stood word
less in front of the divan, far more hKe
a criminal than a prospective bride
groom. The lady, with the tube of the
water pipe between her lips pulled
smoke and made no further speech. But
at last Wenlock, as though wrenchng
himself into wakefulness out of some
horrid dream, turned wildly to Kettle,
and in a torrent of words, implOred for
rescue.
The little sailor heard him quite un-
moved. You asked my help" he said,
I'm certain matter, and I've given it,
and things have turned out just as I've
guessed they would. You maundered
about your dear Teresa on my steam
boat till / was nearly sick, and, by
James, you've got her now, and no err
ror about it,
Now the Lady Emir was not listening
to all this TRADE by any means un-
moved. Although she did not understand
one word in ten of what was being
spoken. she gathered the gist of it. She
brew away the snaky stem Of her water
pipe ana gripped both hands on the
troopers sword till the muscles stood
| out in high relief.
DO you say she demanded, you
unwilling marry me?"
Yes" said Wenlock, with sullen
emphasis.
She turned her head and gave curt
orders in Arabic. With marvellous read
mess, as though it was one of the
regular appointments of the place, a
couple of the guards trundled a stained
wooden block into the middle of the
floor, another took his station beside 1t
with an Ominous AK poised over his
shoulders, and, almost before Wenlock
knew what was happening, he was
pinned by a dozen more pinioned at
wrist and ankle, and thrust down TO
;neel with his neck over the block.
DO you say the Lady Emir re-
peated, you unwilling marry me!'
I'm a British subject" Wenlock
shouted I've a foreign Office pass
port in my pocket. I'll appeal to my
government over this.
my lad" said Kettle, ''you won't
have time to appeal. The lady isn't
being funny She means square biz.
in the same way she does, it'll be one
.he-opp, and what happens after
ward won't interest you"
"Those spikes said Wenlock faint
~.
above the watergate?" said Kettle.
Queer, but the same thing occurred to
me- too You'd feel bit lonely stuck
up there getting sundried."
'I'll marry her."
With this Wenlock poured out all
the pretty speeches which he had in
store, and which he had looked to use
TO this very woman under such very
different circumstances. But he did not
even suggest taking his future spouse
back to England.
She, too, when she graciously par
doned his previous outburst, mentioned
her decision on this matter also Il
am Emir here she said. land l could
not be Enir in your England without
many fights. So here l shall stay and
you with me-"
The mullah had come in, and they
were forthwith married, sOlemnly and
rrevocahly, according to the rights and
ceremonies of the Mahometan church,
IS practised in the kingdom of Dunk
hot.
And now. Mr. Wenlock, if you
nlease" said Kettle. ''as you're comforta-
| by tied to the lady of your choice, I'll
-rouhle you for that fee you promised"
I'll see you in somewhere hotter than
| Arabia" said the bridegroom, hopping
lis rale face"
Now look" said Kettle. I'm not
-oing to scrap with you here, and L
| don't want to break up this happy home
with domestic unpleasantness. but if
Won don't hand me over that so pounds
shall ask your good lady 10 get it for
ne'
Wcnlock sullenly handed out a note.
Thank YOU ! know you feel injured.
| If you don't quite like what's been done,
YOU must remember that it's your own
| fault for not wording the agreement a
| bit more carefully. And now. as l seem
to have got through my business here, if
It's agreeable to all parties I'll be going.
| Good-by Mrs. Wenlock, madam. Let me
call you by your name for the first
time"
The Lady Emir set back her great
shoulders. That is not my name" she
said. Il am Emir. My name does not
change"
Beg pardon" said Kettle; she takes
yours does he? Didn't know that was
the custom of this country. Well, good
afternoon"
But do you want no PRESENT." said
the lady.
Thank YOU said Kettle with a cock
of the head hut 1 take presents from
no one What bit of living get your
ladyShip. l earn"
Il do not understand. But you are
sailor You have sheep. You wish car
go?''
Capt Kettle snapped his fingers ecstat-
ically. Now, MAN, there you've hit
it. Cargo's what do want. I'll have
to tell you that freights are up good
deal just now. and you'll have to pay
for accommodation"
Il do not understand"
"Of course you don't your majesty
But just give me a line to the principal
merchants in the town saying that
you'd like me to have a few tons of
their stuff, and that'll do"
you wish me write. will write. Now
we will wash hands, and there is ban
uTQt -