The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-13


guests had a desire to see even a
little of the northern coast Of
Africa It was decided, therefore.
that after Athens, the Filter should
go south. The yacht had met them
at Naples after the automobile pro-
cession-a kind Of triumphal progress
was disbanded In Florence, and they had
taken a hurried survey OF Rome. BY the
middle OF July the party was leaving the
heat OF Egypt and finding it not half bad.
New York was not more than q month
away as Brewster reckoned time and dis
lance, and there was still too much money
In the treasury. AS September drew near
eF he got into the habit Of frequently for
getting Swearengen Jones until II was too
late to retrace his steps. He was coming
to the death struggle" as he termed 1t,
an there was something rather terror
izing in the fear that the million might
die hard" And so these last days
and nights were glorious ones.
II one could have looked at them with
unbiased, untroubled eyes. But every
member OF his party was praying for the
day when the FILTER" would be well into
the broad Atlantic and the worst over.
At Alexandria Brewster had letters to
some Englishmen, and in the few enter
tainments that he gave succeeded once
again In fairly outdoing Aladdin
A sheik from the interior was a guest
at one OF Montys entertainments. He
was a burly, hot-blooded fellow, with
densely-populated harem, and he had
been invited more as a curiosity than as
one to be honored. As he came aboard
the FILTER" Monty believed the invita-
ton was more than justified. Mohammed
was superb and the women OF the party
made so much OF him that 1t was small
wonder that his head was turned. He fell
desperately in love with Peggy Gray on
sight, and with all the composure OF a
potentate who has never been crossed he
sent for Brewster the next day and told
him to send her around" and he would
marry her. Monty's blood boiled furious
ly for a minute or two. but he was quick
to see the wisdom OF treating the propo-
sition automatically. He tried to make 1t
plain 10 the sheik that Miss Gray could
not accept the honor he wished to confer
upon her, but It was not Mohammed's
custom to be denied anything he asked
for-especially anything feminine. He
complacently announced that he would
come aboard that afternoon and talk 1t
over with Peggy.
Brewster looked the swarthy gentleman
over with unconcealed disgust in his eyes.
The mere thought OF this ugly brute so
much as touching the hand Of little Peggy
Gray filled him with horror, and vet there
was something laughable in the situa-
ton. He could not hide the smile that
came with the mind picture OF Peggy
listening to the avowal Of the sheik The
Arab misinterpreted this exhibition Of
mirth. To him the grin indicated friend
ship and encouragement. He wanted to
give Brewster a ring as pledge of af-
lection, but the American declined the Of
fering and also refused to carry a bag
Of Jewels TO Peggy.
I'll let the old boy come aboard just to
see Peggy look a hole through him." he
resolved. mo matter how obnoxious it
may be, IL isn't every girl who can say
an Oriental potentate has asked her to
marry him. II this camel-herder gets dis
agreeable we may tumble him into the
sea for a change"
With the best grace possible he invited
the sheik to come aboard and consult
Miss Gray in person. Mohammed was a
good bit puzzled over the intimation that
Il would be necessary for him to plead
for anything he had expressed a desire
TO possess. Brewster conflded the news TO
rip" Van Wrinkle and Subway" Smith,
who had gone ashore with him, and the
trio agreed that it would be good sport
to let the royal proposal come as a sur
prise TO Peggy. Van Wrinkle returned to
the yacht at once, but his companions
stayed ashore to do some shopping. When
they approached the FILTER" later on
they observed an unusual commotion on
deck.
Mohammed had not tarried long after
their departure. He gathered his train
together, selected a few costly presents
that had been returned from the harem
and advanced on the boat without delay
The captain Of the FILTER stared long
and hard at the gayly bedecked launches
and then called to his first officer. To-
gether they watched the ceremonious ap-
proach. A couple OF brown-faced heralds
came aboard first and announced the ap-
proach of the mighty chief. Captain Perry
went forward to greet the sheik as he
came over the side OF the ship, but he
was brushed aside by the advance guards.
Half hundred swarthy fellows crowded
aboard and then came the sheik, the per-
sonihcation Of pomp and pride.
Where Is she?" he asked in his native
tongue. The passengers were by this
time aware OF the visitation and began to
straggle on deck, filled with curiosity.
What the devil do you mean by COM
ing aboard in this Manner demanded
the now irate Captain Perry, showing a
couple Of retainers out Of his path and
facing the beaming sutton. An interpreter
took q hand at this juncture and the
doughty captain finally was made TO I'M
derstsnd the object Of the visit. He
laughed In the sheike face and told the
mate TO call UP a few jacl1ies to drive
the "dsgoes' on. rip Van Wrinkle in
terfered and peace was restored. The
cruise had changed rip" into happier
and far more radiant creature, so II was
only natural that he should have shared
the secret with Mary Valentine He had
told the story OF the sheik's demand TO
her as soon as he came aboard, and she
had divulged IT TO Peggy the instant
RIP" was out Of sight.
Brewster found the sheik sitting In state
on the upper deck impatiently await
ing the appearance of his charmer.
He did not know her name, but he
had TRANQUILITY commanded rip to
produce all Of the women on board
so that he might select Peggy from
among them. Van Wrinkle and Bragdon,
who now was In the secret, were prepar-
ing to march the ladies past the ruler
when Monty came up.
Has he seen Peggy?" he asked OF Van
Wrinkle.
Not yet. She is dressing for the occa-
sion"