The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-30

As Dorothy turned her head she saw
a weird illumination afar. The heavens
bore a crimson streak across therl, like
the reflected lights OF a great city.
Her heart bounded. All, If / might
only reach that point"
Nearer and nearer she approached that
strange light. About midnight she des-
cried a great city. lifting over the h0ri-
zon. A cool blast of air struck the bal
loon and IL rose nifty feet.
From this height the voyager .perceiv-
ed great bands of people-vast armies
encamDed here and there in thousands
OF curious huts and tents AT last a
walled city came in view. burning fierce
~ ia the night. and from which arose
clouds OF smoke and SPARKS II was evil
IDENTIFY "a fallen stronghold.
The balloon was meanwhile settling
down and would certainly land right in
the midst Of the strange encampment.
As il descended the dangling ropes
swept along and brushed the tops OF the
nuts and the standards floating before
them
AT the appearance Of the visitor from
the sky the sleeping village Immediately
aWoke. The fanfare Of deep. discOrdant
trumpets sounded abroad. and with q
sudden beat ting of war drums the in
habitants assembled
Fully ten thousand strange looking
people started on wild chase after the
balloon, The horde kept at a safe dis
tance. however. They did not know
what manner OF supernatural visitant
lad descended among them.
Dorothy cut her SELF loose at last. and
hung ior moment until a convenient
landing place offered. Then. in the
dropped to the earth and fell on her
knees.
Instantly she was surrounded by
flock Of dusky figures. brandishlng
spears and torches. Even then she
faced the crowd with a calm mien The
feeling Of solid earth beneath her feet
nsd given her courage. Then the girl
sprang up and stood sin while the
riotous thousands pressed forward In
q circle set not venturing too near. half
fearing, half reYering their heavenly
visitor.
The balloon. freed from its burden.
rose again quietly and disa ypeared over
the camp into the silent night
by Allan and the Mahdir' exclaimed
the warriors, iii is woman. a wo-
mani
The AIahdi. Dorothy stood as in
understood seemed TO be the key 20 the
situation
She remembered having heard from
Tom and poor Darcy OF this ruler OF
Central SoudaH. who had Of late yearB
come into mighty power and now she
realized herself at his very threshold.
Cnarmed and unprotected. the slender
figure stood there upon the sands an
sWerins their wild queries with a silent
counteuauce that revealed no fear.
Then she felt a new hope within her
she would 90 10 the great prophet and
throw herself upon his mercy. There
was 40 creature on earth-and certainly
none who were so great as the AIahdi-
VINO would refuse help 10 "a defenseless
woman.
soon eunuchs were seen trimming hith-
er and thither some going and coming
asain laden with fruits, cool water and
other refreshInentsi and then the harem
ri sally dressed wives marched from
the MahdTs hut into another one pre-
pared for them, the chief wife alone re-
naming In the sacred Enclosure during
the strange interview
Although the Mahdi saw that Il was
policy on his part 10 concur Ia the sU-
perstitiOns Of the people, he possessed
too much worldly Judgment 10 give one
moments credence TO the impOsture.
AZ for the maid herself, a great sense
of relief came over her She was bid
den 10 eat dsinues, and Aloha, the wife
OF the Mahdi and Mother of the Faith
fuI fawaed and crept about her at
tending. her every want, as il DOROTHY
were indeed the angel she was repre-
scented to be-
IL was during this feast. while seated
81 IA
THAI Dorothy studied the strange being
who was all smiles. all graceful obeis-
ance. tasting each dish himself before
passing IL across the little table TO his
guest, an act which Dorothy perceived
was one of great condescensiOn.
The light from the dim hanging lamps.
ravished from the affairs Of Khartoum.
threw a subdued glow over the sacred
sanctuary of the Mahdi. and the fair
visitor. grateful beyond measure that
she was az last on earth, voted the Nah
al "a gentleman after her own heart
Dorothy raised her white hand inn
ploring quiet in the gathering tumuIt-
I'll Mahdi,T she cried. in a voice that
was musical and sweet. il was her
first spoken word since her strange com
ing III Mahdi lei Mahdi.'
HaIf "a dozen Young warriors rushed
from the ranks OF the wOnder-stricken
barbarlaus. tChoiug her command.
--EI Mahdi. they cried. She wants
TO see the Mahdi, She bears message
To the master.
Suddenly one OF the holder. a man
with greasy beard and a turban. seem
iug.y of some authority, thrust his head
through The to-ch-IiEhted mass.
.French?" ne cried, interroga tiveIy,
showing his teeth through an attempt