The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-10-20

intimation that it would be necessary
for him to plead for anything he had
expressed desire to possess. Brew
ster confided the news to Rip Van
Wrinkle and Subway Smith, who had
gone ashore with him, and the trio
agreed that it would be good sport
to let the royal proposal come as a sur
prise to Peggy. Van Wrinkle returned
| to the yacht at once, buf his compan-
ions stayed ashore to do some shop
ping. When they approached the Fit
| ter later OH they observed an unusual
| commotion on deck.
Mohammed had not tarried long aft
! er their departure. He gathered his
| train together. selected 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 ut the gayly
I bedecked launches and then called to
us first oI!ccr. Together they watched
the ceremonlous 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 shcik us he came
over the side Of the ship. but he was
brushed aside by the advance guards.
| Half n hundred swarthy fellows crowd
ed aboard, and then came the sheik, the
personificatiOn Of pomp and pride.
] Where Is she?" 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 mannerI" demanded the
now irate Captain Perry, showing n
, couple of retainers out Of his path and
facing the beaming suitor. An inter
prefer took hand ut 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 few jackes to
drive the ''dagoes' off. Rip Van Win
kle interfered, and peace was restored.
The cruise had changed Rip into hap
| pier and far more radiant creature, SO
1t was only natural that he should have
shared the secret with Mary Valen-
| tine. He had told the story of the
| 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 impatiehtly
| awaiting the appearance of his charm
er. He did not know her name, but he
mad TRANQUILITY commanded Rip to pro-
duce all OF the women OH board so that
lie might select Peggy from among
them. Van Winkle and Bragdon. who
now was In the secret, were preparinr
to march the ladies past the ruler when
Monty came up.
Has he seen Peggy?" he asked of
Van Wrinkle.
mot yet. She is dressing for the oc-
casion."
"Well, wait andssee what happens to
him when she gets over the first
shock" laughed Monty.
Just then the sheik discovered Peg
gy, who, pretty as q picture, drew
near the strange group. To her amaze
ment, two slaves rushed forward and
-oDstructed her passage long enough to
beat their heads on the deck a few
times, after which they arose and ten
dered two magnificent necklaces. She
was prepared for the proposal, but this
action disconnected her. She gasped
and looked about in perplexity. Her
friends were smiling broadly, and the
sheik had placed his hands over his
| palpitating heart.
Lothario has pain" whispered
Rip Van Wrinkle sympathetically, and
Brewster laughed. Peggy did not hes
itate an instant after hearing the
laugh. She walked straight toward
the sheik. Her cheeks were pink, and
s her eyes were flashing dangerously.
The persistent brown slaves followed
with the jewels, but she ignored them
completely. Brave as she intended to
be, she could not repress the shudder
Of repulsion that went over her as she
looked full upon this eager Arab.
| Graceful and slender, she stood be-
fore the burly Mohammed, but his ar
dor was not cooled by the presence Of
so many witnesses. With thud he
dropped to his knees, wabbling for a
moment i'm the successful effort IN