The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-04-15
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''At a fec"
Il will pay It,"
The jewel doctor went to the dool
and called in Abdul. Five minutes
later the princess passed the singing
Arab at the corner of tho street, Rue
Ben-Ziad. She had signed paper
pledging herself to return the emerald
to Safti at the end of IS hours and tc
pay $25 for her possession of it during
that time. And she wore the emerald
on the foreflnger of her left hand.
That afternoon the princess implored
Safti to sell her the emerald and as he
persistently declined she renewed her
Lease of it for another AZ hours. AS
she left the jewel doctors house she
did not notice that he spoke some
words in low and eager voice to Alb
dull, pointing towards her as he did 50.
Nor did she see the strange hustle OF
varied life in the street as she walked
slowly under the great Moorish arch
of the Porte de France. She was deep
ly thoughtful. -,
Since she had worn the ugly ring OF
Safti she had suffered no pain from
her eyes, and strange certainty had
gradually come upon her that whilo
the emerald was in her possession she
would be safe from the terrible disease
of which she had so long lived in ter
ror. Yet Safti would not let her have
the ring. And she could not live for
ever in Tunis. Already. she had pro-
longed her stay abroad and was due in
Russia, where her anxious husband
awaited her. She knew not what to
do Suddenly an idea occurred to her.
1t made her flush red and tingle with
shame. She glanced up and saw the
! lustrous eyes of Abdul fixed intently
upon her. AS he left her at the door
Of the hotel he said:
1.-THE princess will stay long in
T,lnis?"
Another week at least, Abdul" she
answered carelessly. "You can go
home now. I shall not want you any
| more to-day"
And she walked into the hotel with
out looking at him again. When she
| was in her room she sent for list Of
the steamers sailing daily from Tunis
for the different ports of Africa and
Europe. Presently she came to the
bedside of Nine. de Rosnikoff.
Countess she said. you are no
hetter?"
How can l be? The drains are bad
and the tea here is too strong
There is boat that leaves for
Sicily at midnight-for MARSHA. Shall
we go on it?'
The older woman bounded on her
pillow.
straight on by Italy to Russian"
she cried joyfully.
The princess nodded. A fierce ex-
element shone in her pretty eyes, and
her little hands were trembling as she
looked down at the dull emerald Of
Safti.
At II o'clock that night the princess
and the countess got into carriage.
drove to the edge of the huge salt lake
by which Tunis lies, and went on
board the Stella d'1talia. The sky was
was dark. AS the ship glided out from
the shore the old countess hurried be-
low. But the princess remained on
deck, leaning upon the bulwa:k, and
gazing at the fading lights Of the city
where Safti dwelt. Two flames seemed
burning in her heart, a fierce flame Of
joy, fierce fame of contempt-of con-
tempt for herself. For was she not q
common thief? She looked at Safti's
ring on her finger and flushed scarlet
in the darkness. Yet she was joyful,
triumphant, as she heard the beating
of the ships heart, and saw the lights
of Tunis growing fainter in the dis
of the Stella d'Italia through the night
She felt herself nearer to Russia with
each throb of the machinery. And
from Russia she would expiate her sin.
From Russia she would compensate
Safti for his loss. The lights of Tunis
grew fainter. She thought of the open
sea.
But suddenly she felt that the ship
was slowing down. The engines beat
more feebly, then ceased to beat. The
ship glided on for moment in silence
and stopped. A cold fear ran over the
princess. She called to q sailor.
why" she said, ''why do we stop?
Is anything wrOng?"
He pointed to some lights on the port
side. ..
I'VE are of Hammam-Lif, madam"
he said. I'VE are going to lie to for
half an hour to take in cargo" ~
To the princess that. half hour
seemed all eternity. She remained up
on deck and whenever she heard the
splash of oars as boat drew near or
the cultural sound of an Arab voice
she trembled, and, staring into the
blackness, fancied that she saw the tall
figure, the pointed head, and the de-
formed eyes of the jewel doctor. But
the minutes passed. The cargo was all
on board. The boats drew off. And
once again the ship shuddered as the
heart of it began to beat, and the ebOn