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

formed. TO the slightest detail. Of the
manner OF the strangers coming. her
appearance. her denial OF belonging %
any earthly country. and her claim 10
nave been sent from hea ven Believer
III the supernatural that he was the
Mahdl was only too we. disposed 20
lead the people Oh in th 1r fond ilu-
sion.
Besides. the English were advancing.
'I-r avengers cf khart0um were an hand
ana whether or not it was q real angel
sent him from Mahomet or a.r oarlgly
being only be was quite prepared 20
join in any sentiment which mfeht serve
20 rouse the people 10 higher fanaticism
and amalgamate them mere surely IN
the bondage Of faith
Consequently, when the sick man
struggled to the door Of bis hut ard
welcomed the fair stranger. he did it
with a Difference with which he was
never known TO greet an earthly sover-
eigns and the people became treasured
For a moment be addressed her la a
jargon which was neither his own LAM
suage nor hers. and then. turning 10 the
eager groups, the master informed them
that they were right in their c0ntec-
tuFe
she Is an angel. this fair stranger"
we're his words. 'She has come direct
from Mahomet and his council Of an
gels to confer with me I shall 60 IN
and discover WIiat message Allah and
his prophet sends TO me and 10 you also.
o. my faithful And with these words
the NIahdi conducted the fair visitor 20
his hut
"Of course lac viii call an interpreter
on the morrow, VIII hear my wonderful
story, and then provide me with safe
conduct back TO civilization. for all Of
which he shall be handsomely reward
ed"
Such was her innocent dream.
After the feast. Aloha beckoned the
guest into a secluded niche. and there
made plain 20 her that she was ex-
pected 20 change her garments Tor
those which had been provided.
Although this was not quite 10 Dor
othy's taste, she graciouslys complied.
appearing a few moments later before
the AIahdi n robes Of purest white
silk The masters face was aglow with
rapture. He babe her be seated before
him. The mother Of the faithful hand
ed her royal peacock fan
soon the Mahdi dismissed his chief
wife and dispatched messenger for
an Interpreter
II was during this interval that the
savage diplOmaList narrowed mis- eyes
upon the stranger. and Dorothy real
lied that the Mahdi knew that she was
no divinity There was a piercing look
in his eyes IS he guer1ed IN q low tone.
lifting his brOws. ''Freuch2"
Dorothy shook her head
-Russeg' he went on. with a widening
Of the eyes.
Dorothy smiled, but again disseuted.
The Mahdis whole frame now be-
came transformed, and his face was a
cloud of tempest, as he put the next
query. Dorothy shuddered.
.Engliz-y0u Eugliz?" ne asked
With admirable diplomacy the little
strategist gave him "a disdanzul look
as Il her pride had been hurt.
-'N0-yOu nO EngHz. he added eager
ly all anxiety now.
'Pah.' was the answer. for Dorothy
knew how 10 suit her replies to his
questions; and then the Mahdi sank
back upon his gorgeous cushions. draw
ing a sigh OF intense relief.
The interpreter came The master
made sure that there were no caves
troopers. then whispered his wishes
into the messengers ear
With some susviJy the interpreter adj
dressed the stranger In French;
THE holy Mahdi desired TO know
where you come from, he said. "and
protect you. he has allowed the people
20 believe that you are indeed divine.
coming as messenger from Allah and
the prophet, because you come down
from the air. OF course, ne knows bet
ter-knoWs that you are perhaps some
European princess.
what are you saying2f demanded
The Mahdi I'm the fierce gutturaIs OF the
Soudauese-
Il was telling her in French-''
'-Eut she does not speak French
The Interpreter turned 70 her again,
stupeded-
Madam, you certainly speak FrenchZ''
There was an embarrassing pause.
With q beWildeTCd look. perfectly void
of anything save wonder AT all this un-
Ineligible proceeding. Dorothy looked
at the Mahdi and then al the speaker
shaking her head
DO you not see?" said the BIahdL
she does not understand d WOrd.'
The Interpreter was scarlet There
is no use dcCeiVing me-. he said brusk-
Is, you speak French or English. Come.
out with the truth. Are you neither
French nor Euglish2"
The time had come when some answer
was necessary. Dorothy reached down
into her belt and drew forth one OF the
go gold pieces. passing il over 10 the
master who gazed steadily at IL as il
she had performed miracle on the
spot
"Ry AIah-- exclaimed the great
sheiA. "This Is a coin that ] have
never seen II is gold. too-sold. Whose
is this face stamped upon it? Read what
it says Can you read it2'
The Interpreter studied tie heavy
piece for a Ions time and shook his
Hf-7