Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-29
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 way tiltering 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 vel.
come distraction.
"Well, who is the winner Of the first
prize?" Scott inquired cheerily.
"a man named Edwards Of Macon.
There's a story l 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 a literary standpoint. This
one is entitled AN Incident at Luxor.
0"Then I ought to be a judge of its
merit. I spent three months at Luxor"
ut is a distinctly amateurish at.
tempt, a 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 is not lack
ing in observation. There are no wild
flights Of fancy borrowed from travel
ers' journals. 1t is simply a plain state
ment Of facts, every word bearing the
impress of truth. The inventive faculty
is altogether absent"
"You 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 a brief outline Of it if you like"
"The heroine, if she may be SO styled,
is a young English girl, making a trip
to Egypt under the c~haperonage of some
acquaintance. The hero is a journalist
"a graduate Of Harvard-the Egyptian
correspondent of a Boston paper. The
narrative commences at the point where
the Tewfkieh oompany'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 a so.
ciable fellow is getting more than a lit
tie tired Of the intense heat and his
own company, SO the dainty %apparition
in the cool white gown is a 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 her
presence as she appears to be Of his, but
copy which a judioious interview Of
this sedate maiden may provide, has
been scarce with him recently, and his
professional instinct will not permit
him to neglect such a golden opportu.
nifty. Accordingly be opens the CONVEX
sation by telling her how impossible it
would be for a oountrywoman of his
own to sit still in a rocking chair"
Scott leaned forward, his eyes gleam-
ing ~ouriously.
"Victor, what is the authors name?"
"Cartright-Anioe Cartrightp'
"Ahr'
Lanrow looked up in%quiringly.
"Do you happen to know herr"
II once knew somebody Of that name,
but she did not live in this country, and
she was not literary. Go on"
American f%rankness gradually over.
coming English reserve, the two young
people become friendly. They discover
that in many things their tastes are SIM
liar, and during the steamers three
days stay at Luxor their friendship
grows apace. Together they wander
among the ruins Of the temple of Luxor,
sketch in the shadows Of Karnak's pill.
lars, and LUNCH without misgiving in
the tomb of Seti /. In fact, it is a case
Of love at first sight. Is it necessary to
add that when the Memphis leaves for
Assouan our impetuous oompatriot has
asked his three days acquaintance to
marry him? Do I make you tired,
Scott?" for Scott's elbows were resting
on his knees and his head on his hands.
"No; I am interested. OF course, the
girl says Yes and they live happy
ever after?"
"You forget she is English. She
promises to give him her answer when
she returns with her party from the
cataract.
"Well?"
Scott sat upright again, a strange
peotancy in his voice.
"The steamer on its home journey
arrives at Luxor in the early morning.
The river is falling rapidly, and, to
avoid running on to sand banks and con-
sequent delays, tho manager Of the
Memphis decides to sacrifice the intend
cd extra two days stay at Luxor and
proceed direct to Cairo The hotel Viz.