The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-20

rumors, and I'll consolidate them Into
sensation that will equal the truth.
Catch q weasel asleep, eh!"
He is just about to rush off when
Sandy laughs.
LEFT again, old fel. The wires are
entirely at my service from row until
seven o'clock in the morning. You
couldn't get line out now en- your
individual responsibility if the Khe'
dive committed hara-kiri."
Barlow, let me into it little. IN
be entirely disgraced if I'm left euare'
" On this deal. Is Gordon dedd?"
YES"
"And Khartoom truly fallen"
without a doubt"
"What will you take to let me send
| five lines merely announcing the fact:"
What will you give in promises for
the future for few crumbs, my boy?'
So the rival correspondents walk
down the piazza haggling. Sanity has
long waited for this hour; his cup is
full and running over. pressed down
with good measure.
Meanwhile, the other couple move
along the piazza in an opposite direc'
ton, enjoying the delicious atmos'
phere, their cigars and the bright
scene.
BY this time the great crowds have
in q measure ceased to jostle elbows
In the square called Esbehiyeh, for the
hour grows late. Still there are
enough present to keep up lively ap-
pearance-to please the eye Of the ob-
server with the change of colors as
they pass to and fro.
Something is on the mind of Mr..
Grimes, but he perhaps thinks the
present moment is hardly propitious
one IN which to speak. Several times
he opens his mouth, as though the
spirit moves him, but on each occasion
he shakes his head and remains silent.
AS they cross the light thrown from
the windows more than one curious
glance is cast upoI them, for already
has word been whispered around that
Mynhecr Joe has come from the scene
of action, and there is an air Of mys-
terry thrown about him, which his per-
sonality increases rather than dimin-
ishes; for, as has been said before, his
face and figure are such as would at
tract attention even on Pail Mall or
the Champs Elysees.
Looking into the dance-room they
see Molly Tanner gliding about in a
dreamy waltz with a foreign-looking
man wearing an immense mustache
that curls up to his ears-no doubt the
baron. She mods her head to them
and smiles as she glances toward her
partner in. the dance; there Is some
thing so spicy and roguish about 1t
that Mynheer Joe feels drawn toward
the girl more than ever.
"Shes a dandy" the effervescent
correspondent had said to him, While
on the way to the hotel, and the more
he sees Of her the better this peculiar
comparison applies, though, upon try
ing to analyze it he is bound to con-
fess the meaning ambiguous and q
trife dim.
From the window they walk down
to the end of the piazza. Here an ac-
quaintance seizes hold Of Mr.. Grimes
and begs a few minutes private con-
versation with him, which, Of course.
he gives, asking Joe's pardon for leav-
ing him.
The latter steps down to the square
to walk little upon the cool flags.
The events of the night have been
more than singular, when his fortunes
are concerned, and he has plenty to
reflect upon as he strolls there in front
Of the hotel.
Around him are scenes also that
must make some impression on his
mind, although they are far from new
to him.
While thus strolling aimlessly about,
with the intention of killing a little
time, so that he may rejoin Mr.. Grimes
when the latter is disengaged, Myn-
heer Joe chances to pass that portion
of the hotel known as the bar.
In common with all other hotels,
Shepherds has q retreat where the
thirsty traveller can wash the dust out
of his throat, and judging from the
manner in which it is being patron
lied on this night the dust must be on
the move in Egypt. A sandstorm
could not cause the guests to call more
frequently.
Mynheer Joe arrives upon the scene
lust in time to witness rather comi-
cal spectacle. OF rows in the grand
square there is always plenty, but as
q general thing these are not among
the guests Of the hotel, but rather dis
putes between the travellers and their
gaily dressed dragomans, or, as is
more frequently the case, with these
individuals and the owners Of don
keys, while the donkey-drivers them
selves are about as quarreisome as
our boys upon the canals.
ITO hp COntinued1