Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-01-26


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'l 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. If this camel
herder gets disagreeable we may tum-
BILE him into the sea for 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 q 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 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
eommotion 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 officer. Together they watched
the ceremonious 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 the sheik the
personifcatiop 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 struggle on deck, filled with
curiosity.
"What do you mean by coming
aboard in this manner?" demanded the
now irate Captain Perry. showing a
couple of retainers out of his path and
facing the beaming sutton. An inter-
prefer took Il hand at this juncture, and
the doughty captain finally was made
to understand the object of the visit
He laughed in the sheiks face and told
the mate to call up Il few jackies 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
it 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 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 so that
he might select Peggy from among
them. Van Wrinkle and Bragdon, who
now was in the secret We're preparing
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 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
INSTRUCTED 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 alphabetically, and
} Brewster laughed. Peggy did not hes
, laugh. She walked straight toward
the sheik. Her cheeks were pink, and
her eyes were flashing dangerously
The persistent brown slaves followed
| with the jewels, but she ignored then
: completely. Brave as she intended tC
l be, she could not repress the shuddel
l of repulsion that went over her as she
e looked full upon this eager Arab.
: Graceful and slender, she stood be
r fore the burly Mohammed, but his ar
5 dor was not cooled by the presence o
S so many witnesses. With "A thud hC
dropped to his knees. wabbling for ;
l moment in the successful effort t
!. h ~ @