Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-12-29

drew nearer he got into the habit
of frequently forgetting Swearengen
Jones until it was too late to retrac0
his steps. He was coming to the
death struggle" as he termed 1t, and
there was something rather terroriZ-
in. in the fear that the million might
die hard" And So these last days and
nights were glorious ones, If one could
have looked at them with unbiased,
untroubled eyes But every member
Of his party was praying for the day
when the Filter would be well into
the broad Atlantic and the worst over.
At Alexandria Brewster had letters to
some Englishmen and In the few en-
once again in fairly OutdOing Aladdin.
A sheik from the interior was a
guest ut one Of MOnty's entertain
ments. He was a burly, hot blooded
fellow, with densely populated
harem, and he had been invited more
as a curiosity than as one to be hon
Ored. As he came aboard the Filter
Monty believed the invitation was
more than justified. Mohammed was
superb, and the women Of the party
made SO much Of him that 1t was small
wonder that his head was turned. He
fell desperately in love with Peggy
Gray on sight, and with all the COM
posture Of potentate who has never
been crossed he sent for Brewster the
next day and told him to ''send her
around" and he would marry her.
Monty's blood boiled furiously for
minute or two. but he was quick to see
the wisdom Of treating the proposition
automatically. He tried to make 1t
plain to the sheik that Miss Gray
could not accept the honor he wished
to confer upon her, but it was not Mo-
hammed's custom to be denied any
thing he asked for, especially anything
feminine. He complacently announced
that he would come aboard that after
noon and talk it over with Peggy.
Brewster looked the swarthy gentle
man over with unconcealed disgust In
his eyes. The mere thought Of this
ugly brute 80 much as touching the
hand Of little Peggy Gray filled him
with horror, and yet there was some
thing laughable In the situation. He
could not hide the smile that came with
the mind picture Of Peggy listening to
the avowal Of the sheik. The Arab
misinterpreted this exhibition Of mirth.
To him the grin indicated friendship
and encouragement. He wanted to
give Brewster q ring as q pledge Of
affection. but the American declined
the Offering and also refused to carry a
bag Of jewels to Peggy.
"Pll let the old boy come aboard just
to see Peggy look hole through him.
he resolved. mo matter how obnox-
ious it may be. 1t isn't every girl who
can say an oriental potentate has ask
ed her to marry him. II this camel
herder gets disagreeable we may tum-
BILE him into the sea for a change"
With the best grace possible he in
vited the sheik to come aboard and
consult Miss Gray In person. Moham-
med was a good bit puzzled over the
intimation that It would be necessary
for him to plead for anything he had
expressed a desire to possess. Brew
ster conhded the news to Rip Van
Wrinkle and Subway Smith. who had
gone ashore with him. and the trio
agreed that 1t would be good sport
to let the royal proposal come as q sur
prise to Peggy. Van Wrinkle returned
to the yacht at once. but his compan-
ions stayed ashore to do some shop
ping. When they approached the Fit
ter later on they observed an unusual
comm0tion on deck.
Mohammed had not tarried long aft
er their departure. He gathered his
train together. selected q few costly
presents that had been returned from
the harem and advanced on the boat
without delay. The captain Of the Fit
ter stared long and hard at the gayly
bedecked launches and then. called to
his first omcer. Together they watched
mo eeremonious approach. A couple of
brown faced heralds came aboard first
and announced the approach Of the
mighty chief. Captain Perry went for.
ward to greet the sheik as he came
over the side Of the ship, but he was
brushed aside by the advance guards.
Half hundred swarthy fellows crowd.
ed aboard, and then came tho sheik. thu
personifcation Of pomp and pride.
Where Is sheT he asked in his ma
tive tongue. The passengers were by
this time aware Of the visitation and
began to straggle on deck. filled with
curiosity.
what do you mean BY coming
aboard In this mannerT demanded the
now irate Captain Perry, showing
couple of retainers out Of his path and
facing the beaming sutton. An inter-
prefer took hand at this juncture. and
the doughty captain finally was made
to understand the object Of the visit.
he laughed In the sheik's face and told
the mate to call up a few jackies to
drive the 'dagoes" OF. Rip Van Win.
kle interfered, and peace was restored.
The cruise had changed Rip into hap
pier and Tar more radiant creature, 30
1t was only natural that he should have
shared the secret with Mary Valen-
tine. He had told the story Of the J
sheik's demand to her as soon as he |
came aboard. and she had divulged It
to Peggy the instant Rip was out Of
sight.
Brewster found the sheik sitting in
state on the upper deck impatiently |
awaiting the appearance Of his charm.
er. He did not know her name, but he |
had TRANQUILITY commanded Rip to pro-
duce all OF the women on board 80 that |
he might select Peggy from among |
them. Van Wrinkle and Bragdon, who |
now was In the secret, were preparing |
to march the ladies past the ruler when |
Monty came up.
HAS he seen Peggy?" he asked OF