Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-14


the wisdom Of treating the proposition
AUTOMATICALLY. He tried to make 1t
plain to the sheik TINT Miss Gray
could not accept the honor he wished
to confer upon her, but 1t was not Mo-
hammed'S custom to be denied any
thing lie asked for, especially anything
feminine. lie complacently announced
that he would come aboard that after
noon and talk it over with Peggy.
Brewster looked the swarthy gentle
man over with unconccaed 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 laughable in the situation. He
could not hide the smile that came with
the mind picture of Peggy listening TO
the nvowal Of the sheik. The Arab
misintcrpreted this exhibition of mrth.
To him tho grin indicated friendship
and encouragement. He wanted to
give brewster a ring as n pledge Of
affection. but the American declined
the offering and also refused to carry
bag Of jewels to Peggy.
'1'll let the old boy come aboard just
to see Peggy look n hole through him."
he resolved. mo matter how obnox-
ious it may be. it isn't every girl who
can say an oriental potentatc has ask
ed her to marry him. If this camel
herdcr gets disagreenblc we may tum-
bic him into the sea for change
With the best grace possible he in
vitcd the shpik TO come aboard and
consult Miss Cray in person. Moham
med was good bit puzzled over the
intimation that it would be necessary
for him to plead for anything he had
expressed desire to possess Brew
ster confi1ed the news to Rip Van
Wrinkle and Subway Smith. who had
gone ashore with him, and the trio
agreed that it would he good sport
to let the royal proposal come as sur
! prise to Peggy. Van Wrinkle returned
to the yacht at once. hut his compan
ions stayed ashore to do some shop
ping. When they approached the Fit
Ger later on they observed an unusual
commotion on deck.
| Mohammed had not tArricd long aft
or their departure. he gathered his
train together. selected n few costly
presents that had been returned from
the haren and advanced Oh the boat
without delay. The captain OF the Fit
ter stared long and herd nt the gayly
bedecked launches and then called to
his first officer together they watched
the coremonlons approach. A couple Of
Drown faced heralds came aboard FIRST
and announced the approach of the
mighty CHIEF. CAPTAIN Perry went for
ward to greet the shcik az 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
perSonifcation Of pomp and pride.
'Whcre is she?" he asked in his ma
live tongue. The passengers We're by
this time aware Of the visitation and
began to struggle on deck. filled with
curiosity.
What do you mean by coming
fboard in this manner?" demanded the
now iratc Captain Perry, showing a
couple of retainers out OF his path and
facing the beaming suffer. An inter
| prefer took a hand al this juncture. and
the doughty captain finally was made
t. understand the object of the visit.
He laughed in the shcik's face and told
the mate to call up a few jackies TO
drive the 'dagoes" of. Rip Van Win.
kle intorfered, aud peace was restored.
The cruise had changed Rip into a hap
pier and far more radiant creature, so
it was only natural that he should have
shared the secret with Mary Valcn-
tine. He had told the story of the
sheik's demand to her as soon as he
came aboarN. and she had divulged it
to Peggy the instant Rip was out of
sight.
| Brewster found the shek sitting in
state on the upper deck impa tiertly
awaiting the appearance of his charm
err He did not know her name. bat he
had TRANQUILITY commanded Rip to pro
duce all of the women On board so that
he might select Peggy from among
them. Van Wrinkle and Bragdon. who
now was in the secret were preparing
to march the ladies pas. the ruler when
Monty came up.
"IIas he seen Peggy he asked of
Van Wrinkle
"Not yet. She is dressing for the oc-
casion.''
well, wait and see what happens to
him when she gets over the first
shock" laughed Monty.
Just then the sheik discovered Peg
gy. who, pretty as picture. drew
near the strange group. To her amaze
ment two slaves rushed forward and
obstructed her passage long enough to
beat their heads on the deck 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