The Washington times., 1904-06-26


interest which he displayed in the mi
uutest details, one would have said that
this could not be the man of stern tenn
per and fiinty heart who had defied the
authorities under whom he lived for so
many years.
1t was Courtney's desire that Anita
should be present at the dinner after the
custom of Englishwomen, and this he
explained to her after many hating be-
ginnings. Anita agreed to It, as she
agreed to all else that he proposed.
In fact. she was glad Of something 20
divert her mind and to ease, II only for
a few moments, the gnawing pain in her
heart. that had grown steadily greater
since the departure of her lover and
with the hopeless waiting for his re-
turn.
Having settled this matter which
had caused him much anxiety, Courtney
gave directions for the preparation of
new and magnificent gown. in order, as
he explained, that Anita might properly
honor the great men who were 70 be en-
tertained.
AS for the officers themselves, they
were heartily glad of the variation from
the dullness OF life aboard ship which
they had borne unrelieved for many
months. Besides. they were curious TO
learn more OF the strange man by whose
shrewd aid England had come into pos
session Of the magnificent fortress.
There were no declarations, therefore.
when Courtney issued his invitations,
which included all of the principal Off
GERS of the six vessels-some twenty
men altogether
Most eager of them all was Lieuten-
ant Calthorpe. who hoped az length 10
obtain a glimpse of the girl whom he
had looked for in vain on mis- visits to
the warehouse. He had reasoned that
from her origin and strange upbringing
she must be an extraordinary young
woman, but concerning her. beyond the
fact C her existence. ne hud said moth
ing TO his companions.
1t IS safe TO say that every man OF
those who landed from the ships boats
in his best uniform and proceeded I'M
der guide OF an Ethiopian 10 Courtney's
residence was astonished when he en-
tered the spacious haIl and beheld the
beauty of it's furnishings and the ranks
Of stalwart servants on every hand.
The meanness Of the structure itself,
as viewed from the street, and the I'M
pretentious appearance of Courtney, had
prepared them for something far more
humble than this oriental magnificence.
But their surprise at these surround
ings was turned into speechless amaze
ment when Anita herself made her APP
pearance.
Indeed. had Lieutenant Mertrez, at
that moment lying under guard in the
prison OF the little village beyond tie
narrow neck Of land. been permitted
to see Anita on this evening, he would
scarcely have recognized her.
The long gown. with Its sweeping
train. gave her an air OF uneccustomed
stateliness. The gown itself was OF
some priceless material that had come
from the cabin of a French trader.
wrecked on the coast. Il was a vel
vety fabric of a soft blue, but with
sheen that changed its hue constantly
under the glowing lights of the room.
over # fell an exquisite fabric OF
lace. In her dark. lusterless hair Elis-
tened a tiara that an Indian princess
might have worn. Perhaps IL had be,
longed TO such a one once upszE "a
time. About her neck were othep ks
tening jewels.
Her face was not so full OF color as It
had been on that day when she climbed
the great slope OF the cliff 20 meet her
lover But her paleness and the little
troubled look In her eyes rather height
ened the effect OF her beauty.
So queenly was the girl in her mag
nifcerce that she inspired a feeling OF
dihidence even in these ready witted
sons OF the sea.
Calthorpe was dumb with admiration.
He had expected 20 see a woman with
the rich beauty OF the East. but nothing
more. But here was one fitted TO shine
among queens. The sultan's daughter
was fairer than even his fancies had
pictured her.
He waited. watching her intently. I'M
til the others had been presented before
he approached. Then he bowed low be-
/ fore her with a manner of so much
grace and such undisguised admiration
that in spite of herself II sent a little
thrill through the girl.
She recognized him at once as the
officer whom she had observed on the
night when she had hidden herself in
the warehouse. She had thought OF
him often before in recalling that scene
and had been pleased with his manly
and fearless bearing. She had said 20
herself:
He must be an Englishman, but he
is not like any Of the English | have
known"
These latter, being the traders who fire.
| quented the port. were hardly models OF
| their race. so Il was not surprising that
this clean. timber and handsome young
fellow should have made a good impress
sion on the girl.
The warm color came into the girls
face as she observed The Difference OF
the officers greeting. The secret OF her
brit. was known 70 him In his eyes
she was not the daughter OF the Brit
ish trader. but a princess Of the Moors.
the child Of a ruler.
There was a natural satisfa ction in
Anita's mind at this thought The
| knowledge of IL caused her to regard
Calthorpe with greater interest and 70
extend TO him a somewhat warmer
greeting than she had bestowed upon
] the others
/ The young lieutenant was not slow to
! recognize this fact and to take advan-
| tage Of IL. BY right OF his acquain-
tance with her father. Calthorpe took
| possession Of a place beside Anita. at
the table which. instead OF chairs, was
| lined with couches after the Eastern
! fashion.
There he was again enchanted by her
conversation. for Anita. though un-