Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-04-21
A X INCIDENT.

lnHt you, SCOUT 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 mann
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 q well
come distraction.
"Well, who is the winner Of the lrst
prizeg" Scott inquired chcerily.
"a man named Edwards Of Macon.
There's a story l like better. but il is
ont Of the question"
Sounds contradictory"
"Yet it isn't. That which tnkes one's
fancy isn't by any means always the
best from a literary standpoint. This
one is entitled AN Incident at Luxcr.'"
Then l ought to be a judge OF its
merit. l spent three months at Luxor. "
"It is a distinctly Ginatenrish at
tempt, n sketch rather than q story,
quite Ineligible for publication as it
stands, yet mCch mere 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
ors' journals. 1t is simply q LlGin state
nient Ct facts, every word bearing the
impress Of truth. Tia inventive faculty
Is altogether absent"
"You make me quito curious. Let
me read it," Scott said, smiling.
mo; 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 il you like"
1.-THE heroine, if she may be 70 styled,
is a young English girl. making a trip
TO Egypt under the chaperouage Of 1ome
hcq~naintaDces. 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 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 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 q welcome in
truder upon his solitude"
Scott looked up, suddenly attentive.
"He knows enough of English peoul-
iarities to be Fure she will expect him
TO remain as blandly unconscious of her
presence rs she appears 10 10 Of his, but
copy. which a judicious interview OF
this sedate maiden may provide, has
been scarce with him recently, and bis
professional instinct will not permit
him to neglect such a golden opportu-
nifty. Accordingly he opens the CONVEX
sation by telling her how impossible il
would be fer a countrywoman of his
own to sit still in u rocking chair"
Scott leaned forward, his eyes CLEAN.
tlg %curiously.
"Viotor, what is the authors name?'
"Cartright-Anice Cartrightr'
"Ahr'
Lanrow looked up inquiringly.
"Do you happen to know herr"
81 onoe knew som body of that name,
but she did not live in this country, and
she was not literary. Go on"
American ~fraUkness gradually over,
coming English reserve, the two young
people become friendly. They discover
tbot ~ MANY Aimee tbairt .eto, .-o.s,.
liar, aud during the steamers three
days stay at Luxor their friendship
grows apace. Together they wander
among tbs ruins Of the temple Of Luxor
sketch in the shadows Of Karnak's pil
lars, and lunch without misgiving il
the tomb of Seti /. In fact, it is q cast
of love at first sight. Is 1t necessary t
add that whom the Memphis leaves TO,
Assouan our imUetuous compatriot ha.
asked his three days acquaintance t.
marry him? 10 l make you tired
6cott?" for Scott's elbows were resting
on his knees and his head on his hands
"No; l I'M interested. OF course, thu
girl says Yes and they live happy
ever after?"
"You forget she is English. Sh,
promises to give him her answer wheI
she returns with her party from thu
cataract"
"Welli"
Scott sat upright again. a strange ex
peotanoy IN his voice.
"The steamer on its homo journey
arrives at Luxor in the carly morning.
The river is falling rapidly, and, t.
avoid running on TO sand banks and con.
sequent delays, the manager of the
Memphis decides to sacrifice the intend,
ed extra two days stay ut Luxor ant
proceed direct to Cairo. The hotel Wis