The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-06-12

and the Central Southern syn
dictate had paid Dick a certain sum
on account for work done, which work
not altogether up to their standard.
Dick heaved the letter into the Nile at
Cairo, cashed the draft in the same
town and babe a warm farewell to Tor
penhow at the station.
81 am going to lie up for awhile and
rest" said Torpenhow. II don't know
where / shall live in London, but if
God brings US TO meet, we shall meet.
Are you staying here on the off chance
of another row? There will be none
TILL the southern Sudan is reoccupied
by our troops. Mark that. Goodby,
bless you. Come back when your
moneys spent and give me your adj
Dress
Dick loitered in Cairo, Alexandria,
Ishmailia and Port Said - especially
Port Said. There is iniquity in many
parts of the world, and vice in all, but
the concentrated essence of all the in
EQUITIES and all the vices in all the con-
tinents finds itself at Port Said. And
through the heart of that sand Dor
dered hell, where the mirage fiickers
all day long above the Bitter lakes,
move, if you only wait, most of the
men and women you have known in
this life. Dick established himself in
quarters more riotous than respectable.
He spent his evenings on the quay, and
boarded many ships, and saw very
many friends-gracious Englishwomen
with whom he had talked not too wise
ly In the veranda of Shephard's hotel,
hurrying war correspondents, shippers
of the contract. troopships employed in
the camnaign. army officers by the
score and others of less reputable
trades.
He had choice Of all the races Of the
east and west for studies, and the adj
vantage of seeing his subjects under
the influence of strong excitement at
the gaming tables. saloons, dancing
bells and elsewhere For recreation
there was the straight vista of the ca
nal, the blazing sands, the procession
of shipping and the white hospitals
where the English soldiers lay. Dick
strove to pen down in black and white
and colors all that Providence sent him.
and when that supply was ended
sought about for fresh material. II
was fascinating employment, but it
ran away with his money, and he had
drawn in advance the fi20 to which he
was entitled yearly.
'Now l shall have to work or starve,"
thought he, and was addressing him
self to this new fate when the mysteri-
GUS telegram arrived from Torpenhow
in England which said: "Come back
quick. You have caught on. Come" A
large smile overspread his face. $50
soon! That's good hearing" said he to
himself. There will be an orgy
tonight. I'll stand or fail by my luck
Faith, it's time it Gamer He deposited
half of his funds in the hands Of his
well known friends, NJ. and Nine. BIZ
nat. and ordered himself Zanzibar
dance Of tie finest. NJ. Binat was shak.
ing with drink, but madame smiled
alphabetically.
Monsieur needs a chair, Of course;
and of course monsieur will sketch.
Monsieur amuses himself strangely"
Binat raised blue-white face from
a cot in the inner room. Il under
stand" he quavered. "We all know
monsieur. Monsieur is an artist as !
have been" Dick nodded. I'm the
end" said Binat, with gravity, mon.
sieur will descend alive into bell as
have descended" And he laughed.
You must come to the dance too
said Dick. II shall want you."