The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-14

Monsieur jules with q cry. Also her inter
est had been aroused by Ali Dubh's queer
behavior during the day.
While she thought the matter over the
Arab himself locked the street door and hur-
ried into the little room. where Madame
composedly joined him a nome I later.
How can I help your" she asked, picking
up her knitting again.
LISTEN" said the Arab. Il must tell you
all. You must know the truth" He put
his hand in a pocket of HE loose robe and
drew out a small flask. IL vas no bigger
than two fingers INC was made OF pure
gold, upon which strange characters had
e richly engraved.
This said the Arab in a low, impressive
voice. SIS the Great Elixir"
What does that meant" asked Madame,
~glancing at the flask d~oubtfully.
The Great Elixir1 All, il 10 the essence
OF vitality. the water Of life, the greatest
thing in all the world
Il don't understand said Madame.
Not understand Why, q drop OF the
priceless liquid which this golden flask
contains. IL placed upon your tongue. would
send new life coursing through your veins
1t would give you power, strength, vitality,
greater than youth itself. You could do
anything, accomplish wonders, perform
miracles il o but tasted this precious
liquid"
How odd!' exclaimed Madame, begin
ming to FEEL bewildered. And then she
asked: Where did you get it?"
All! This is the story. That 10 what
you must know answered All Dubh. 1t
is centuries old. the Great Elixir.
Theirs 10 no more OF it in all the world.
The contents Of this flask came into the
keeping Of the ancestor OF the chief Of my
tribe. whom we call a sheik, and has been
handed down from father to son as an heir
loom more priceless than diamonds. The
chief Of my tribe, it's last owner. carried
the flask always hidden in his breast.
But one day, when he and l were hunt
ing together, a mad camel trampled the
sheik to his death, and with his last breath
he ave the Great Elixir into my keeping.
The sheik had no son, and the 1ask was
really mine.
But many other Arab sheiks longed for
the treasure and sought to gain it. So l
escaped and wandered over the world.
I came here. thinking l was safe from
pursuit. But they have followed me-"
"All the way from Arabia2" asked Mad
anne.
"Yes. To-day l saw them. They know
my lodgings. They are secretly hidden
near, and before morning 1 know they
plot to kill me inc secure the Great Elixir.
But for a time / have escaped them. /
came here unseen. You must help me.
You must take charge OF the Great Elixir
and keep it safely for me"
"Nonsensel" cried Madame, becoming
at last.
DO not say that. l beg OF you, " exclaimed
the eager Arab. You are honest; l know
you arel Inc they will never suspect you
of having the golden flask
Perhaps not, = said Madame, and then
again they may. My business 10 to tend
shop and l am not going to get myself
by a lot of desperate foreigners just
to Oblige you, Monsieur Ali Dubh! Take
your Great Elixir TO some one else. /
want IT,"
For a minute the Arab seemed in despair.
his face suddenly frightened.
You suffer from rheumatism, do you
he asked.
Yes, it's pretty bad tonight, she replied.
Then l will cure it! l will cure your !
pains forever IL you will keep my precious
@AlA III BCNlCN oAith Il otA " ACtluAAIA IL
Madame hesitated, for Just then she had
a very bad twinge indeed.
You think you can cure my pains2" she
asked.
Il know it," declared the Arab. He put |
his hand in a pocket and drew out another
flask. a mate to the one containing the
Great Elixir; only this was made Of solid
instead of gold.
This flask, said Ali Dubh, contains a |
cure for rheumatism. II will not
1t never has failed.
Take il and use il to make yourself well.
Five drops in a bowl Of water are enough.
Battle we'll the limbs that ache, and all pain
b. gone forever.
Accept il, gracious madame. and keep
Tor me the other flask in safe hiding until
my enemies have gone away"
Madame was a practical woman and it
seemed an easy thing to do a. the Arab
desired. If she could get relief from those
dreadful pains it would be we'll worth while
% undertake a little trouble and response
Jility by caring for Ali Dubh's other and
more precious flask.
Very we'll" said she. Il agree"
The Arabs face flushed with joy.
Good" he cried, Il am saved, Guard
we'll my precious flask, the one OF gold.
Show it to no one, not even to your good
Remember that diamonds and
could not buy the Great Elixir, the
marvellous Essence Of Vitality. A. for the
flask, l give Il to you freely. Its con-
will cure all your ailments. And now,
good night, and may Allah bless you"
Swiftly he stole from the room, unlocked
the street door and vanished into the dark
ness. And Madame sat looking thoughtfully
It the TASKS.
Presently she remembered that the front
iOor was yet unlocked. So she trotted out
INTO the shop, bolted the door securely.
irew down the curtains and put out the
light that had burned over the counter.
Then Madame returned to the little room
looked at the two TASKS again.
Aside from her rheumatism the rood
ady had one other physical weakness;
he was color blind. That is, she could
distinguish one color from another,
was quite liable to think blue was green
md green was yellow. Many people have
his trouble with their eyes; but IL had
never bothered Madame, especially in wait
upon her customers
Now, however, when she came back
ntO her room and Razad nj tia two AasLa