The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-12-04

to interrupt the flow Of genius. ell :
But I'd drop even my pencil to obliGe
YOU"
There was no great need C haste.
You were the first one thought OF
when old Tanner brought me the news.
You know him."
Like a book. Grutf old party; love-
" daughter. Molly. Go on. What was
his news. Is England aroused 1T last
to the emergency"
"Just the contrary. Listen to what
I say: Old Tanner tells me his daha-
beah, or house-boat. has just come
down the river; they left it some two
hundred miles above and fastened on
by railroad to Cairo. This evening 1t
arrived, and the reis, or captain.
called upon him at the hotel here with
certain news that has given Tanner
some uneasineSS. He was puzzled to
know what to make of it, and, seeing
me. put the whole case in my hands.
l have promised to go down to the
boat and interview the man who is
now asleep on board-a man they
picked up afloat on the river far above
and who they imagine is some sort
of messenger sent down from hhar-
toom by General Gordon"
Sandy Barlow IS out Of his chair
like shot. all eagerness and anima-
ton.
"Cone on. he exclaimed. I'm in
this game. Great Caesar! If 1 can
get the only authentic account Of that
event! What keeps you. man."
I'm not ready to go yet. Don't
make q scene, Sandy, and, above all.
whisper not word of the truth. The
False Prophet has many friends in
Cairo who would like nothing better
than a chance at this person who
comes from the south. with scimiter
or yataghan Sit down again while
we talk it over
Sandy has hard work subduing his
intense eagerness to discover the truth,
but he is equal to great emergencies,
and finally sinks back in his chair.
AS for Mr.. Grimes. the silver king,
lie straddles a rattan seat and rests
his arms across the back in the most
careless manner imaginable.
What did the old orator seem to
think of his men picking up passen-
gcr:" asks Sandy.
HE was wrathy at first, until he
| found the man was Frank, or for
! eiener. That made it al right. He
hates these swarthy natves-Turks,
/ fellah and Arab"
"Yes, have heard him whisper gen.
tie words about them in his own Pc
culiar way. Lovely soft voice the
Honorable Demosthcnes has. Reminds
ne of steam foghOrn."
Hush! Here comes his daughter"
"A1iss Molly, for all the worldw NUT
tecs the correspondent between his
teeth.
A vision in white floats up to where
they are seated, and both men spring
to their feet. This American girl is
a fair, fresh picture-a healthy daugh-
!
is not actually beautiful, but there
is charm about face and manner
that draws 4 host Of friends to her
side. Mollie Tanner is 4 taking girl,
yivacious, quick. tender-hearted-true.
You can read her constancy in the
clear. frank. fearless gray eyes. Lucky
the man who wins her heart 1t will
be for all time.
ooh, Mr.. Grimes, have been look.
ing for you everywhere! l feared you
had gonew eXclaims the young lady
laying white hand, which shows
some traces Of sunburn. on the arm
Of the mining king.
Fortune favors me. Miss Molly. Ir
what way can l do you service?
You see the governor has just beer
telling me all about that poor mar
on beard our boat, and feel so sorry
would like to know whether there is
anything I can do for him."
Some people might be shocked tt
hear Molly Tanner thus designate bel
parent, but the word is uttered will
such tenderness that the same per
sons would secretly listen in the hope
Of hearing it again.
Mr.. Grimes and the correspondent
exchange glances, and then smile.
Really, until we have seen thu
J party. we cannot exactly say" begin!
, the former.
. "That's Just it! Why not allow me
to accompany you to the boat?"
The girl speaks eagerly, as though
she has quite set her heart upon it
"Your father would not consent"
Leave that to mel can manag
him.
; And reckon you're about the onl.
one who can, Miss Molly. Outside O
that 1 don't believe it would be safe
You see, to reach the river where til
. boat Is tied up, we have to pas
through one Of the worst quarters o
, the city called Musr, and with lad.
t in our company, there might be trou
, blo M 7 am sorry to refIlSe bur