The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-01-15
CHAPTER II.

Eye looks into eye as Sanuy BARLOW
stands there; then the correspondent
exclaims, with ring Of satisfaction
In his voice:
s.Mynheer Joe, for all the world!
y SANDY, is it you. my dear fellow
Where under the sun did you drop
from?" asks the other. holding out
the hand that has been used to SHED
HIS eyes from the light, though he
does not alter his position one parti.
Gle.
The correspondent seizes hold Of the
hand thus offered in greeting, his very
enthusiasm showing what he feels at
heart.
ssBless you, old boy. it's good for
sore eyes to see you again, and look
ing rs natural as ever. Never have ]
ceased to remember the days of 'auld
lang syne,' when we two did the Nile
In company. Talk about fate in our
1rst meeting--it doesn't hold candle
to this! Same old grasp, same old
poer' and he works the prodigars arm
like a pump-handle, while rafting
Wong in this strain.
is"Quartered in Cairo, Sandy-writing
IN the beauties of lower Egypt as a
winter resort, or have you been ap-
pointed a Consul here?" asks the
1ther. with jolly laugh that causes
AFR. Grimes to wonder what stun this
man can be made of to be so composed
and even merry after what he has
gone through.
"That's not my luck Still peggine.
away at the old business. Makes both
ends meet and gives me a chance to
zee the world. But see here! Confound
my stupidity! Here's a friend of
yours waiting to meet you, and I've
been monopolizing your time"
Mynheer Joe raises himself to sit
cling posture and faces the silver king.
who hesitates for a few seconds and
then comes forward.
pardon mew he says frankly. "You
have made a mistake, Sandy. 1 did
not claim to be friend of Mynheer
zoe. only a fellow-countryman, and
one who has heard much about him
and takes deep interest In his well
fare. Obed Grimes. at your service.
Mr.. Miner"
The explorer possibly catches some
Significance back of his words. At
any rate, he looks at the stout gen.
tleman with the fiorid countenance as
though intent upon studying out a
problem; but noticing the outstretched
hand, accepts it in his usual hearty
lay. Now and then. during the SUBJ
4uent interview, while the CORE.
bondent plies him with questions,
Mynheer Joe can be seen to keep a
Protective eye upon Mr.. Grimes. Per-
haps he is endeay6ring to place the
HKaalthy miner; and yet the latter has
afed they have not met before.
Sandy thinks only of one thing now.
True, he has been especially pleased
to meet with one he regards so highly;
but his feeling has now given way
to the instinct of his craft. He has
been educated up to being a newspaper
man above all else. and, like all others
Of his calling. has keen nose for
news. To be the first at the wire
with startling information is the
dream Of Sandy Barlow's daily life.
Here he sees a golden opportunity
FOR making a ten-strlke. The whole
civilized world hangs in suspense
awaiting definite news of the heroic
Chinese Gordon's fate. Rumors have
been rife almost daily, sometimes de-
failing his death and again giving &C
counts Of some wonderful victory over
ffty thousand dervishes. as the follow
ers Of FL Mahdi are called, his own
force numbering but two thousand.
Like a shuttle-cock, dashed hither
and yon by the battledoors. has this
subject been kept on the go for weeks.
and up to this black night in February
no definite news has been received
which settles Gordon's fate.
Thus Sandy's dreadful Impotence
Il explained; the wide-awake CORE
spondent is aroused to the exigencies
Of the hour, and for the benefit of the
waiting civilized world would seize
and send out an authentic account of
the tragedy OF Inflated Khartoom.
Mechanically he draws out his note
book and. pencil in hand. prepares to
take down In shorthand what may be
said-a proceeding MynhSer Joe eyes
with smile.
Pardon me, my friends, but 1 am
almost starved. when went to sleep
the captain here said he would have
? meal ready for me when l awoke. I
was hungry then. but could not keep
awake only long enough to take a cup
Of coffee and bite. How is 1t, cap
tain? Will you keep your word?"
The dusky Ben Hassan Effendi mods
and gives signal with his hands.
Immediately two fellahin appear. One
carries a tray covered with = white
napkin; the other lays a cloth Upon
the little round table. Almost like
magic. savory. steaming meal is thus
placed in front OF the hungry Mynheer
Zoe. after which the magician waves
bis hands, and his followers vanish
rs II into thin air.
t"Your pardon. gentlemen. I have
tasted for some days now. and the