The Washington times., 1904-10-23

imam AArtla At-t'A tf LflANh AZ AAi tai SUM
assured that there were no watching
eyes, she slid her hand under the folds
OF the tapestry and snatched the little
message. quickly resuming her attitude
OF ease.
II was some time before she had the
courage To glance at the paper, bat
from the look upon her face the breath
less watcher saw that she not only read
but understood.
An illumination of hope, of wonder and
trust broke through the cloud of alarm
upon the lovely cuuntenance.
Shifting her pillow SO that she could
now lay her lips against the very crew
ice against which the uriuce's face was
pressed, she whispered softly IN French,
"Who are you2 Who are yOu2"
- am Prince Bardom. the Russian
vice consul, escaped from Khartoum in
deryish dress. You shall know me by e.
red feather at my spear head. And
youE'
Never mind. am a captive save
me-
Trust mel" murmured the prince. his
heart beating mildly. Then seeing that
the emirs were drawing back from the
PROSTATE form of the Mahdi. aud were
now aler- upon things about them, the
prince drew back and stole along the
shadows. creeping down till he sank into
black shelter of "a huge mimosa.
Seated there in a Quandary BsTd0n
was about to give up the gigantic prob
lem for the nisht when he saw two 1ig-
ures approaching from the MahdTs tent
They We're bowed of head, almost
merged into one man. intent in coaver-
saJiou.
Making straight for the tree. where
they might enjoy a moments converse
in seCiusiou. the emirs walked clear
around it without noticing the silent Gg-
ure of the man I'm the torn EibbeL
crouched low iu the shadow. feignng
sleep.
1--WE are safe here said one in a gut
tural whisper Let our souls commune
without reserve, broJher''
Side by side they sat, huddled to-
gether.
What thinzest thou?" said one. The
Alahdi is going to die-that is 10 say.
the Mahoi Is liar
Have a care" broke in his comDan-
ION The night has MAS ears"
But is IL not the truth. brother He
hath said that he shall live a hundred
years more, conquer all the world, when
shall come the end OF all things. and
his faithful shall De lifted TO heaven on
pillars OF fire. Behold him now, the
victim OF his own depraviJies IN secret.
while a man OF abstinence and self
abasement in the open-a doomed man.
/ tell thee. brother. he IS not the Mos
siah; he is not the expected one that
was promised by the prophet Moham-
med"
THAT do not believe nor disbeIieve,
Z brother / never gave much heed 10
these things tin the Mahdi conquered
my subjects by the sword. and cOnde-
seconded 10 make me- once a pTouC king.
now one of his undo Rings. The people
believe that he is the Messiah, and the
people are all powerful while he lives.
.s hen he dies"
''The KhaHf8h Abdulla." moaned the
other shudderingly.
Yes, SO IL appears. He is indeed the
true king now, since IL Is By bis mill
tary stratagem that the Mahdi is what
he is-the foremost ruler 81. the world
And the EChaiifat et Mahdi win usurp
| the throne, his power. his weaIth-even
the MahdIs household Yes, even the
angel OF light my brother
soft satanic chuckIe ended these
words.
90 The angel OF light. echoed the
sheik. You believe that she. too, came
/ from paradise. as the lIahdi has said9r-
Bah. Even though she is as beautiful
. ala --aftAA-r anu as 14f 41la4lF -l4F
IS but the spoil or war for all that
But she came not from Khartoum.
brother. Whence came she Jhen2"
81 know not J care not. EI Mahdi
has made her his slave. even in his
dying moments and when he is
gone"
"WeU2"
"she shall De the khaIirah-s. That
is"
WHAT
Unless make her mine first"
There was a strange silence.
You mean that you viii steal here"
Then receiving no response, he added
You VIII give great 0ffense. brother"
But she is too beautiful FOR that
swine OF "a khaLfah. To whom shall i
give such offeuse-to one who will not
know WHITTIER she has Disappeared"
You wall offend me. brother" broke
iu the sheik s1Iemuly "I have chosen
her for my own. DO not interfere or
there viii be trouble"
The listener WINGED. Il admit. o
I brother faithful that you are the more
powerful I'm numbers in your camp but
/ am aiso strong. even stronger in skill
I Have "a care Approach the fair prIze
at your peril Good night Salaam
aIeiIzum"
Hold Come back one moment.
/ brother. We can arrange all things.
| There IS no reason for bad blood be-
tween us. particularly over a woman
Tine curaged emir returned reluctantly
but IL was with his hand Ola the hiIt of
his sword.
The other upbraided hIm. meeting him
I face TO face, even drawing his own from
the sheath. what meau'st thou2' ne
I said. commaudugly.
81 mean that no man shall draw sword
upon me and Iiyer
For the instant the two mighty men
glared into each others soul, then came
+ the clash OF blades
il was fierce fight. and the noise of
! scurryiuE sandals over the ground and
/ the cIaug ot the scimiters through the ST.
I lent night aroused the guards
Suddenly "a trumpet sounded, and i'm
stautly thousands came from every di-
rccti0u with widest wonder. n0urishiug
/ swords ana spears.
Stiu the painting warriors fought, see
I ing that one must fan 10 save the sur
viv0r from certain death, since. If both