The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-01
MYNHEER J0E
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BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE.
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view with Molly.
| There is something more to tell, and
he believes the opportunity is ripe for
it. This is the line Of thought ad-
| yanced between Sandy and himself,
and which concerns the probable out
come of the difficulty between Tanner
and the baron, had it been allowed to
go on.
Tanner listens with wondering eyes
and nodding head. 1t is all news to
him, and yet he can easily believe 1t.
Certain circumstances combine to
force him to this conclusion.
$50" he bursts out with, at the con-
clusion of the recital, II was near
being the victim of conspiracy, eh?
Perhaps the rascal had an idea he
could run off with my girl, once the
old man was out Of the way. And
you really save my life by stepping
in? Mynheer Joe, I am your debtor
forever!' Show me q way by means
of which I can repay you. The baron
is q Russian secret agent on his way
to India, eh? Perhaps We'll see more
of him. I'm something Of diplomat
myself, once I put my mind on it.
Now, do you know what Demos
Themes Tanner has good notion to
do? set up in opposition to this ras-
cally baron-play him for a sucker
and land him in the arms Of the Brit
ish in Bombay. Why not-I come of
old English stock, and my sympathies
are against the movement Of the bear
in the direction of fair India. Now
don't think me fool-I reckon can
meet him even, brain for brain, and
give him points. As for his dogs Of
war, hdtch 'em here" and the ora
tor, with an astonishingly rapid move
ment, such as these Western men
alone can show, produces a weapon
from some secret pocket-a revolver
that looks ferocious in the lamplight.
Mynheer Joe's opinion Of Molly's
father takes an upward bound. He
realizes that the giant is no simpleton,
and has met too many strange people
in his past to give up easily when
brought in contact with a man Of the
baron's calibre.
The two gentlemen smoke cigar In
company and then Joe takes his leave,
promising to see the other on the NOR
row. and relate much Of what oc-
Cured at Khartoom. He hopes Molly
may be present, for her company Will
inspire him to do his best.
II trust your Inconvenience may be
slight, and that you will harbor no ILL.,
feeling toward me as the cause OF
your discomfort" the explorer says,
when taking his leave.
Nonsense! A mere love-tap! Don't
bother yourself about it, my boy. I'm
! used to worse things than that, I can
tell YOU" replies the orator, shaking
hands warmly.
Thus Mynheer Joe leaves him, and
feels that his work has been a grand
success. Light-hearted, he quits the
apartments Of Tanner, and once more
seeks the realm where music and gay
ETY. abound, for the guests are having
a last dance ere the enjoyable affair
breaks up.
Joe only has a glimpse Of Molly, and
she does not see him as she passes
through the rooms, bidding several
lady friends goodnight. Undoubtedly
she is about to retire.
This makes him think it might be
as we'll for him to do the same, al
though he does not feel sleepy, after
having wooed the gentle goddess for
twenty-four hours.
Presently he runs across Mr.. Grimes,
and that worthy, being interested In
all that pertains to his fortunes, at
once asks numerous questions, receiv-
ing in reply q variety Of information
that he can sort over at his leisure.
He takes Joe to the office Of the ho-
tel in order to book him. Fortunately
some one has just departed, and there
is a vacant room, to which he is as
signed. Another chance places it next
that of Mr.. Grimes.
BY this time the strains Of the music
have ceased, most of the people retired
and many of their lights are being put
out, so that Shepherds after the hop
resumes it's natural appearance.
Out on the square of Esbehiyeh the
utmost solitude reigns, broken only
by the snarling Of wandering dogs,
which abound in the Cairo Of to-day.
The fakirs and mountebanks, snake
charmers and peddlers, curious idlers
and beggars have all cleared out as
the lights drop in the hotel.
Cairo sleeps.
Mynheer Joe finds himself alone in
his room. His eyes are not bit
heavy, and he wonders what he will
do with himself to pass the time away
uLtil morning.
Joe's one great vice lies in the fact
that he is an inveterate smoker. De-
prived of a cigar for six months, the
weed seems doubly sweet to him just
now, and he made sure to lay in sup
ply before leaving the office.
His first act, therefore, upon finding
himself alone in his room, is to draw
n chair near the window, throw him
self into it, produce a igar, strike a
match and start the engine.
AS with all old smokers this pro-
duces a train Of reflection. He goes
back to the moment when he opened
his eyes on board the dahabeah and
met his frienLs, Sandy and Mr.. Grimes.
Then it is easy to follow the track of
events down to the present, and there
are several places where Joe fingers
tcEderly.
| What q Sfran~n sores of adventures