The Delta independent., 1899-04-07
A LUXOR INCIDENT.

"That you, Scott, Come right up"
said Victor Lanrow in answer to IN
impatient ring at bis 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 bad
passed Gu to him for final npproval or
rejection had made eyes aud brain alike
weary, and his friends visit was . vel.
come distraction
"Well, who il the winner Of the first
prize!" Scott inquired cheerily.
"a man named Edwards OF Macon.
There's story like better. but IL II
out Of the question.
Sounds coutradictory?'
"Yet il isn't. That which takes ones
fancy isn't BY any means always the
best from literary standpoint This
one il entitled An Incident at Luxor. ,"
''Then ought to be . judge Of its
merit. l spent three months at Luxor.
ut II . distinctly amateurish at.
tempt, . sketch rather than . story,
quite ineligible for publication ~ 10
stands. yet much more convincing than
any Of the prize stories. The writer has
evidently been to Egypt and 10 not lack
ing in observation. There are no Wild
flights OF fancy borrowed ffom travel
ess' journala II II simply . plain state-
mens Of facts. every word bearing ths
impress Of trnth. The inventive fs0ulty
IL altogether absent"
"You make me quite euFiosa Lse
me read it," Scott said. smiling.
mo; you have not my pattsoeA
Youf expsriencs has been eopAnsd %
condensed nswspapse psfa0raphs. Yoo
would probably lose sight Of the stcsy
In the crudeness OF iesssttins. I'm give.
you y brief outline Of IL u you like. +"
"The heroine. " sbs may b 20 styled,
IL q young English girl. making . "trip
to Egypt under the chapsro0ase Of some
scquaintspcesL The hero 10 toufnaliss
- graduate Of HaTvsrd-tbs Egyptian
correspondess Of Q Bosson paper The
narrative commences % the point where
the Tewfikieh company's steamer Mem
phis arrives at LuxoS and 10 moored as
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 hss already been
two months as Luxor. and being . So
ciable fellow Is getting more than . H.
tie tired Of the intense heat and his
own company. ro the dainty sppsrition
in the cool white gown 10 welcome IN
trudcr upon his solitude.
Scott looked up suddenly stteotive.
T., nHE Sst, IL.
inrities to be sure she will expect him
to remain Ms blsndly unconscious Of her
presence as she appears to be Of his. bus
copy. which a judicious interview Of
this sedute maiden may provide. has
been scarce with him recently. and bis
professional instinct will nos permit
him TO neg elect such . golden opportu.
nifty. Accordingly he opens the coover.
sation w telling her how impossible IL
would bs fos o couptFyw omso of bis
own to sic still In rocking chair"
Scott leaned forward, his eyes sleam.
ing curiously.
"victor, what ie tho suthos's name?'
"Csftrigbs-ApiceC Cartsightr'
"Ahv"
Laprow lonked up inquiTiDely.
"Do you happen TO know her?''
II once knew somebody OF that name.
but she did not live tn this country, Sid
she was not literary. Go on. :"
American frankness gradually over
coming English reserve. the two young
people become friendly. They discover
that IN many things their tastes sre sim
liar, and during the steamers three
days stay as Luxor their friendship
grows space. Together they wander