The Florence daily tribune., 1899-04-07
A LUXOR INCIDENT.

said Victor Lanrow in answer to an
impatient ring at his telephone.
Despite the closely drawn shades the
August sunshine was tiltcring into the
Office nnd the light breeze from Lake
Michigan scarcely stirred the oppressive
atmosphere. The reading of the mann
scripts which the assistant editor bad
passed on To him for finul approval or
rejection had made eyes aud brain alike
weary, and his friends visit was wei
come distraction
'Well, who is the winner of tho first
priZeg' Scott inquired chrerily
"A man named Edwards OF Macon
There's a story | like better. but it IL
out of tho question.
''Sounds contradiotory?"
"Yet it isn't. That which takes oue's
fancy isn't by any means always the
best from "A literary standpoint This
one is entitled An Incident at Luxor. 80
''Then 1 ought to be a judge of its
merit. l spent three months at Luxor. -
''lt is distinctly amateurish at
tempt sketch rather than story,
quite inelig bio for publication as it
stands, yet much more convincing thar
evidently been to Egypt and is not lack
ing in observation. There arc no wild
flights of fancy borrowed from travel
ers' journals 1t is simply plain state
mont of facts, every word bearing the
impress of truth. The inventive faculty
is altogether absent.
'Iou make me quite curious Lot
me read it, - Scott said, smiling.
mo; you have not my patience
Yonr experience has been confined tc
condensed newspaper paragraphs Yop
would probably lose sight of the story
in the crudersss of itssetting. I'll give
you brief outline of it if you like. "
The heroine, if she may be SO styled
is young English girl, making tril
to Egypt undcr tho chaperonage of som,
acquaihtanees. The hero is n journalist
"A graduate of Harvard-the Egyptian
correspondent of Boston paper The
narrative commences at the point where
the leN hkioh company Steamer Mem-
phis arrives at Luxor and is moured ut
the foot of the steps which lead iuto tho
hotel grounds,
''Our heroine enters the writing
room, the ou.y other occupant of which
is the journalist He has already been
two months at Luxor, and being So
ciahle fellow is getting inora than lit
tic 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 peoul-
iarities to be sure she will expect him
to renain 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, aud his
professional instinct will not permit
him to neglect snch II golden opportu-
nifty Accordingly he opens the conver-
sation by telling her how impossible it
would be for oountryw oman of his
own TO sit still in rocking chair"
Scott leaned forward, his eyes eleam-
ing curiously
"Nictor, what is the authors manner"
"Oaftrisht-Anice Cartrightr'
"Ahl"
Lanrow looked up inquiringly.
DO You happen to know her?"
Il onca knew somebody of that name,
hut She did not live in this country, and
she was not literary, Go on. = &,
American frankness gradually over.
coming English reserve. the two young
people become friendly. They discover
that III many things their tastes are sim
liar, and during the steamer three
days stay ~ 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, aud lunch without misgiving in
the tomb of Seti |. In fact, it is 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 | make you tired,
Scott?' for Scott's elbows were resting
ON his knees and his head on his hands,
mo; am interested. OF course, the
girl says Yes, and they live happy
ever aiter?''
lyon 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, strange ex-
pectancy 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
se1uent delays, the manager of the
Memphis decides TO sacrifice the intend
cd extra two days stay at Luxor and
proceed direct to Cairo. The hotel Wis