The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-22
ORION'S BELT

HE stammVred some excuse and
turned 10 leave. but she would hear
nothing OF 1t and forced him 10 come
with her to the house. where she
I introduced him TO- her father. Mr.. Ra-
light. who cordially invited him for
! luncheon
From that day Lundewall was a
+ changed man. The beautiful girl had
captured his heart and he spent all
I his spare time with Mr. Ralight and
his daughter. who was always happy
/ 10 see him.
4 Dreaming OF future happiness. Curt
/ Lundewall stood on the bridge OF the
/ Falcon Suddenly ne was aroused.
/ Did you hear that" he cried 10 the
second officer.
Thunder | suppose,
\ NO. the barometer is high. and the
stars are out IL was
A dull report interrupted him. That
In few minutes the Falcon Is
ready Tor action.
LuLAlMal l-lrieS- hli-reAEINGE
and orders all lights out. Wrapped In
darkness. the gunboat speeds through
, the night. every man al the guns ready
10 fire al the first word OF command
/ In the distance three-master yes
sci is sighted. fighting three Chinese
I dtuuks Huggtug the shore the Fat
con creaps up close. undecided. The
engine stop.
Ready al the boats First gun
/ ire"
] The fight had been short but bloody
Curt lundewall had received wound
in his right arm and three or his men
I haG fallen The pirates had fought
bravely but were overpowered at last
/ by the crew or the gunboat. Most or
them had fallen. but IS were taken
I prisoners.
Singapore was full OF excitement
when the Falcon came steaming up
the harbor towing a captured dunk
the next day, and one OF the first TO
board the vessel was Mr. Ralight
Allow me TO congratulate YOU" he
cried. and shook the young officers
left hand cordially. II hope your
wound is not dangerous. Now you
must come home with me. Ellen Is
all anxiety and We want you 10 stay
with us until you recover al least,
| II was midnight when Curt Lunds-
wall boarded the gunboat again. He
I felt both ashamed and disappointed
I He had been lioniZed and pestered ever
since he put his foot ashore, much 10
/ his disgust and he had not found an
1 opportunity 10 declare his love as he
4 had intended. but he must make up
! for IL the next day when he was TO
dine alone with the family.
-fH=the- morning he-had- to be pres
ent al the execution OF the pirates
/ They were TO be hanged and accord
\ ing TO British law the hanging was 10
/ be public. The natives. considering
an execution a sporting event crowd
ed the square around the gallows.
while Curt Lundewall abhorred the
idea OF witnessing the sight
| But-was II possible? In the crowd
he discovered many white faces. Efe-
CANT carriages drove through the
crowd and in the carriages were Eu
ropean men and women. How was II
possible that a woman should be
| heartless enough to witness sight
| the very thought OF which filed him
p, with horror.
| NOihS va anu bht oOdAlu Va
drums The prisoners are led TO the
I foot OF the gallows, the sentence read
and the hangman begins his work.
Curt Lundewall turns his face away.
Suddenly he trembles. and his face
turns pale. In carriage a young girl
is standing, dressed In white, her field
glasses trained on the gallows.
Everything turns black before him
/ \ 10 he Daliohf ha II ha
adores.
He presses his hand against his
heart and his thoughts go back home.
He sees the soft, gentle eyes OF a
young girl and hears her parting
words: so you may have TO fight
Chinese pirates. They must be terri
bic things, but after all they are HUI
man. Who knows what may have
driven them to crime? Are we then
not to treat criminals as human be-
ings? | am sure you would"
| Again the beating OF drums. The
act is over. The crowds dispense,
and Curt Lundewall walks slowly to-
ward the city.
Good morning, Lieutenant" Joy
GUS girlish voice reaches his ears.
Come home with us for luncheon.
II is hot and dusty and dinner Is a
long way or"
II regret that | have to refuse your
invitation. he replies coldly: this
execution has spoiled my day. My
nerves are not as strong as yours,
Miss Ralight."
The gunboat Falcon steamed into
the harbor of Alexandria, where IL
was TO wait for orders. Curt Lunde-
wall was annoyed at this delay and
II was with a heavy heart he gave
orders to drop the anchor, for he was
homesick for the first time in his life.
To pass away time he went ashore
and strolled through the street. He
witnessed, In front Of Hotel tEurope,
scene often seen In the Orient.
A little Arab boy has been ridden
down by a camel and was now lying
on the ground. surrounded by Wild
~ excited throng OF people. none Of
whom lifted a hand TO help him. Sud
denly a young European lady elbows
her way through the mob. picks up
the little boy and having convinced
herself that he is not hurt, but only
badly scared. she turns toward the
hotel.
Miss Freihon." Curt Lundewall ex-
claims with beating heart, you are
here in Egypt"
Hedwig trembled and blushed. but
In moment she collected herself and
calmly extended her hand
How foolish OF me to get so scar
ed" she said but did not expect
TO meet friends here. Father has al
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