Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-10
CHAPTER XXIII.


 should go south. The yacht had met them at Naples after the automobile procession-a kind of triumphal prog. ress-was disbanded in Florence, and they had taken a hurried survey of Rome. By the middle of July the party was leaving the heat of Egypt and finding it not half bad. New York was not more than a month away as Brewster reckoned time and distance, and there was still too much money in the treasury. AS September drew nearer he got into the habit of frequently forgetting Swearengen Jones until 1t was too late to retrace his steps. He was coming to the death struggle" as he termed it, and there was something rather terroriz- ing 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, untroubed 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- tertainments that he gave succeeded once again in fairly outdoing Aladdin.
 A sheik from the interior was a guest at one of Monty's entertain ments. He was a burly, hot blooded fellow, with densely populated harem, and he had been invited more as curiosity than as one to be hon. ored. As he came aboard the Filter Monty believed the invitation was more than justified. Mohanmed was superb, and the women of the party made so much of him that it 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 it 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 so much as touching the hand of little Peggy Gray filled him with horror, and yet there was some thing laughabie 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 ring as a pledge of affection, but the American declined the offering and also refused to carry a bag of jewels to Peggy.
 'I'll let the old boy come aboard just to see Peggy look hole through him." he resolved. No matter how obnox- ious 1t may be. it isn't every girl who can say an oriental potentate has ask ed her to marry him. If this camel herder gets disagreeable we may tum- ble 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 1t would be necessary for him to plead for anything he had expressed a desire to possess. Brew ster contided 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. but his compan- ions stayed ashore to do some shop ping. When they approached the Fit ter later on they observed an unusual commotion on deck.
 Mohammed had not tarried long aft CT 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 at the gayly bedecked launches and then called to his first officer. Together they watched the ceremouiOus approach 4 couple of brown faced heTalds came aboard first aDd 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 a hundred swarthy fellows crowd ed aboard. and then came the sheik, the of pomp and pride.
 Where is she." he asked in his na- tive tongue. The passengers were by ,his time aware of inc visitation and began to struggle on deck. filled with curiosity.
 What do yOu mean by coming aboard tn this msnnerE-' demanded the now irate Captain Perry. showing a roupIe of retainers out of his path and facing the beamlng sUitOr. An inter Dreter toOk a hand at this juncture. and the doughty captain finally was made To understand tbe object Of the visit. He laughed in the shsik's face and told