The Washington times., 1903-03-01

They purchased basketful. and all
ate some of the figs.
Not three minutes later a deep slumbcr
seized all alike. Fatima was the FIRST
to succumb She fell sound asleep be-
side her mistress Gertrude did like
wise, followed by herbert and the doc
tor. The Arab camel drivers also soon
stretched themselves on the sand. I'M
able to keep their eyes open.
Mabrouki alone struggled long against
a kind of stupOr. mingled with the con-
seriousness that it was his duty TO keep
awake. But at length he too lay wrapped
in dreamless slumber.
On first awakening. Gertrude thought
she must still be in a dream. She open
ed her eyes in a large. lofty circular
hall. lighted by seven copper lamps
The walls were most artistically
carved and decorated In a circle round
the hall stood basalt columns and stat
ues of porphyry, separated from each
other by mysterious looking alcoves.
which the imagination pictured as filled
With strange fantastic furniture. She
was the daughter OF a distinguished
archaeologist. and therefore knew at
once that she was looking upon work
done in the greatest OF the Egyptian
ages.
Her interest in art got the better OF
her fear for few minutes, and she
walked around the hail to look at its
decorations One would have said that
the sides of the alcoves between the col
umns and the colossal statues were COW
cred with gay colored draperies; but in
reality they were adorned with frescoes
whose brilliant colors had lasted
through thirty centuries.
The bed on which Gertrude lay was
OF grotesuue form. and richly wrought
1t represented an immense bronze tiger.
stretched full length, his back forming
the couch. 1t might have been made for
some princess OF ancient Thebes-
An ivory seat, whose delicate cary
ings resembled the finest lace; a silver
table. whc1e Establishments were OF yet
greater value. one Of them being a pol
ished SIsk resting on the sculptured
hsas of a kneeling slave; and a mag
nifcent lien skin, covering the marble
seats. completing the furniture OF the
alcove. where Gertrude had just returned
to the consciousness OF her surround
ings.
In the lion skin lay Fatima. still
wrapped In deep sleep.
How had they come to this strange
place? How long had they slept? Ger
trude had no IDEA. and. taking up her
watch. she found it had stopped
"FatimaI" she cried. in sudden terror.
throwing he-self off the bed.
The lit. maid opened her eyes. She
seemed dazed. but rose to her feet me
ohanically. as it were.
Nearly at the same moment a hidden
door in the wall rolled aside noisiIy,
ard there appeared on the threshold a
tall, richly dressed negro.
1.-THE MASTER" he said. falling pros
trate on his face
Behind him stood the dwarf Of Rhade-
meh. He wore a linen tunic white as
STOW. and in his crimson belt was his
richly ieweled saber. An aigrette Of
korsehair surmounted his turban. and
from each hair depended a diamond.
Thus appareled, the hideous black face
and misshapen body looked more repul-
sive than ever.
Advancing with an assured air OF self
satisfied confidence in the effect Of his
charms the monster came smiling TO
Gertrude.
What do you want?'' she asked in a
cold. naughty tone.
Lifting his hands. the dwarf made her
an obeisance In the Arab fashion. with
out uttering word. Then he kneit down
and kissed the hem of her robe, regard
iag her at the same time with sn air Of
duplicating humility.
The tender hearted girl. touched by
his expression. asked gently:
What can I do for you? You seem to
be appealing to my compassion. Perhaps
the Mogaddem has been hard upon you?
II SO, come 20 Khartoum. My father Is
powerful and respected He will know
how 10 protest you"
The dwarf smiled disdainfully. and
rising stood before her. his hands on his
hips. and answered in a stentorian voice
III French.
Il am not 4 slave! ! need no ones
protection, and II I do homage. II is %
b. auty only. What I offer thee. young
girl. is 10 share with me the throne OF
the Soudan. ! am its king and / have
chosen thee TO be its queen"
CHAPTER XVII.