Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01

" You have redeemed my honor Never again could
l have held up my head had you been slain while [
ran And that shddn of camel-he stirred him
self! BY the Prophet! l must kill an older one to
make feast for my men,.
The news that her lover safe restored the
sparkle to Irenes eyes and the color to her
cheeks The version of Abdur Kad'r's breathless
cita1 that she had heard from Fenshawe was that
Royson's camel had fallen lame, and it was deemed
safer that he should hide till help came than mount
behind Abdur Kad'r and risk the slower journey.
AS it was, her pent emotions found relief in tears
of JOY when the messengers brought the news OF
Roysons approach with the rescue party and her
eyeds still suspicousy red, her lips somewhat
treulous, when, standing by her grandfathers side,
she welcomed his return Though hundred eyes
were fixed on the two,-though some of those eyes
watched them with a keenness inspired by the belief
that this reunion had in it romantic element quite
apart from the drama of the hOur,-the1r meeting
apparently partook only of that friendly character
warranted by the unusual circumstances.
And in the general excitement none who looked
at Royson paid heed to the hardshps he had under
gone. He had hardly closed his eyes during two
nights and three days; for the rest obtained while
he and Abdur Kadr awaited the outcome OF Illus
sain's embassy calculated rather to add to his
physical exhaustion than to releveit He had covered
eighty miles of desert scanty fare and had fought
a short but terrific fight against dozen adversaries
Yet his cool demeanor and unwearied carriage con-
veved no hint of fatigue-to all outward seeming
he might have been entering the encampment after
ordinary march, when basin of water and
change of clothing the chief essentials of exist
ence. 1t not so, of course. If he had been
made of STEEL he must have felt the stra of those
sixty hours and he almost yielded to when he dis
mounted, and Fenshawe led him inside the mess tent:
The elder man invited him to be seated, and tell
his adventures while eating the meal which had been
prepared for him and Stump as soon as their camels
were seen in the distance. But Dick half uncon-
sciously still clutched the broken rifle. There were
blood stains his clothing which ripped in the
most obvious way by bullets that had either wounded
him actually grazed his skin. Fenshawe S keen old
eyes made rapid inventory of these signs of STRIFE
and he forgot in his anxiety that Irene was present
Good heavens, mani" he cried, you have been
in the wars Did those scoundrels attack you! Are
you hurt?'
NO." said Dick sinking into chair. and trying
to speak with his customary nonchalance, - am not
injured; just a wee bit tired, that is all"
Irene flew to his side. She took the soiled gun
barrels from his rea king grip and began to untasten
the collar hooks of his uniform Don't you see he
is almost fainting?' she demanded reproa chtully.
Dick, dear, speak to mel Are you sure you are not
wounded? If it is only want of food and sleep, We
can soon put that right but do tell me If you have
wound!
beneath the dust and tan, and he could not lift his
for the life of him. I'm all right, he whls-
pered Il suppose I'm suffering from heart trouble,
Irene. Haven't seen you for two nights and a day,
you know
He must have been a trife light headed, he
would not have spoken to her in that way before her
grandfather. Fenshawe, remembering the girls
shyness of the previous day. may have thought a
good DEAL but he said nothing seeing that Irene was
supremely indifferent either to his thoughts or his
words at that instant while Royson seemed to be
needless of any other fact than the exceedingly pleas
ant one that his beloved holding glass to his
lips and asking him to crafty her,by swallowing.
AS for Stump, who was not aware of his second
mates rise in the world, the manner of their speech
affected him powerfully that he was in imminent
danger of an apoplectic seizure. His condition was
utter no word But he silently used the sailor like
formula which applies to such unexpected situations