The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-01-08

tete With lQe SlTl NHu idS p'NoiA~ '
belle of European Cairo. Even when
he rapidly sketches lis late trip upon
the Nile, and brings the story TO
conclusion she has many questions to
ask that are right to the point. and
which, upon being answered. bring
the situation out in a clearer light
Then Mr. Grimes considerate MT.
lirimes-who believes he has left them
alone long enough. makes his appear
ance. There does not seem TO DC an!
particular necessity Tor his coming,
but he evinceS al interest in the eN-
plorer that 10 person has. ever seen
him shor f"- anv one else. Sandy
fnds the:r still together when he re-
turns after sending his wonderful dis
patch-the great dispatch that will be
the sensation OF the day in London
and America. Flushed with success
he appears before them and mechani-
cally glances at his watch-a villain
Gus habit he has upon every occasion.
The action catches Molly's eye. and
with a little feminine scream she
snatches out her own timcpiece.
studded with diamonds. and looks at
the tell-tale face in conservation.
Eleven o'clock. An Eour and a half
away from the ballroom. What will
Lord Quinsy and the baron think?
And had engaged dance each with
them! They will never forgive me"'
II am sorry to he the cause of your
trouble begins the explorer, humbly.
please don't mention it! wouldn't
have missed this hour and what /
have heard of brave Gordon for ten
lords or fifty barons. 1t was only the
governor I was thinking Of. They
must have asked for me, and the dear
good man will be fairly wild looking
for me-
Mynheer Joe inagines an insignif-
cant. bald-headed, good-natured little
man tearing around the hotel pleading
with every one to help him lind his
daughter. If he comes across such an
Individual he will recognize him at
once.
"You will excuse me, Mynheer.' she
saws, holding out her hand again-the
hand upon which flash diamonds that,
with those In her ears, ut her throat
and in her bonny brown hair, are sure
w worth kings ransom.
He murmurs that he will be glad to
meet her again. perhaps in the morn
Ing. if circumstances are favorable,
with Il sidelong glance toward Mr..
Grimes. that has no apparent mean
ing, and yet which causes grim smile
to appear upon the face Of the silver
king.
Then she glides from the bijou par
lor, Sandy holding the portiere aside,
though he has to stand on his tiptoes
In order to make it clear her head.
The three gentlemen are left alone.
Sandy takes out n cigar and looks at
the others. The mute invitation Is
Immediately accepted. for couple of
hands are extended. and the weeds
exchange owners.
Lets go outside. The house IS no
place for smoking, in my opinion" re-
marks ice.
So the trio adjourn to the piazza.
More than one curious glance is cast
toward them; for. in spite Of the Sc
crecy that has been exercised, rumorS
have gotten around concerning the
truth. 1t is strange how these things
leak out-a word is sometimes enough
to start the ball rolling, and people.
once interested. add Il little here and
trifle there until story has been man
ufacturcd out OF whole cloth.
Hardly have they reached the piazza
and Joe stops to light his weed when
a dapper little fellow, Sandy's counter
part in nervous ways. steps up and
taps him on the arm.
Beg pardon-dO / understand you
have arrived from up the river, Sir
from Khartoom?' asks this sprightly
chap, apparently not noticing Sandy
in the background.
Mynheer Joe puffs away, and be-
tween each puff he mods his head up
and down in an affirmative way that
sets the little man fairly wild with
suspense. He will speak soon-when
be gets ready-but not until that time
comes. 1t is plainly evident Mynheer
Joe knows how to manage the crea-
ture known as press agent.
Sandy is chuckling near by. dread
fully tickled at the thought Of having
Tor once obtained an advantage over
his rival.
You are quite right. sir. have ar
this very night from kha-
toom," finally admits the object Of
all this attention, having reduced his
weed to q point of subsection, where
it would burn without much care.
Out come the pencil and notebook.
would you mind giving me little
information regarding the state of af-
fairs at KhartoOm when you LETT? l
represent the New York Herald, the
London Times and the Paris Figaro.
l shall be pleased to take your views,