The sun., 1909-11-27
The Oyerpowerins Lure OF Egypt.

In Mr.. Robert Hichens's story Of Bella
Donna u. B. Lippincott Companyy'
Philadelphia) the pity lies in the fact
that Nigel Armine was an idealist beyond
the plainest limitations. He had stored
up in Egypt a supply Of outdoor health
that was disastrous to him when he re-
turned with his possibilities 4 emotion
to London. There was every reason
why he should have known that Mrs
Chepstow, who was Bella Donna Ids
suading medicinal name). was not a per-
son to be trusted with the custody OF a
sensitive maculine heart. But il was
not his nature to be quite judicial and
discerning. H.s,s.
In his hotel bed room in London. in
the small hours OF a summer night, he
sat contemplating his strong brown feet.
Their color had been acquired in the
sun smitten African sands, and the study
OF them was convenient for him at this
time. for he wore only his nightgown.
He looked at his feet, -then felt them,
thumped them. and rejoiced in the glory
OF health So much may be held To
have been compatible with wisdom IL we
view that attribute literally. Il was one
way Of enjoying himself But it was not
reasonable for him to suppose that his
powers OF generous affection could re-
form Mrs. Chepstow. who had achieved
the age Of a. and undergone much devious
experience Of the world.
II that eminent London physician
DR.. Meyer Isaacson had been a far less
subtle observer than he was he would
still probably have been able to maks
out the facts in Mrs. Chepstow's case
To say the truth. these were known to all
London; had rendered her indeed what
is known as notorious" Nevertheless
the doctor applied his acutest powers to,
the matter ard soarrived at professional
and a conscientious as we'll as a plain
conclusion. He remarked her regular
and strong pulse; her abiding habit Of
not being embarrassed. He gazed at
her sts adily with a scrutiny which was
almost cruel" She told him that she was
ss. but he saw -the tiny wrinkles near her
eyes, the slight hardness about her cheek
bones. the cynical droop at the corners
OF her mouth. and knew very well that she
was ~. or course he knew that she was
not OF tender and plastic nature. That
is why he feared for the enterprise Of his
friend Armine. who was going to marry
her. ...
That credulous young man thought OF
her as slightly and pathe tically dropping
vine that had been ira agically deprived
and that needed for happy resuscitation
exactly the affection that he was qualified
to AFFORD. His surprise was ilIimitabls
and painful to be borne because Of what
happened shortly after they we're married
and after Mr.. Hichens had conveyed them
to that favored land from which Moses
was so willing to escape. Notwithstanding
that the dark pigmentation OF Armine's
feet was acquired in Egypt, -there was
in his face a peculiarly straight and bright
look that suggested the North and North
ern things. the glitter Of stars upon
SHOWS, cool submits OF mountains swept
by pure winds, the scented freshness d
nine forests Doubtless these matters
have their recommendations. but at page
iOs we come to Baroudi.
This captivating Oriental had mighty
shoulders and neck that looked as power
full as a bulls. Moreover. he had wide
and ardent nostrils, and his eyebrows,
ascending sharply from the inner to the
outer extremitiee. had all the wicked ap-
pearance OF those Of Mephistopheles in
the play. Repeatedly we read Of ths
splendor OF his throat. as for instance;
-He leaned little more forward, put up
his big hand 10 his cheek. let il drop down
to his splendid throat and kept the fingers
inside his soft turn down collar while ms
looked into her eyes" They were Mrs.
Armine's eyes. She had decked herself
with nice care for this meeting Nher
she had commanded with impatient en-
thusiasm: Get me into my gownl "aAs
change my stockings FIRST her French
maid had smiled "a she bent her head to
attend to the stockings.
Baroudi had his own quiet way OF sar-
casm. When Mrs. Armine asked him what
he thought OF the male English he sat up
straight and threw out his chest and
thumped It. Beef. plum pudding. nns