Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-23

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, were preparing
to march the ladies past the ruler when
Monty came up.
Has he seen Peggy?" he asked Of
Van Wrinkle.
Not yet. She is dressing for the oc-
casion."
We'll, 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 a picture, drew
near the strange group. To her amaze
ment, two slaves rushed forward and
obstructed her passage long enough to
beat their heads on the deck 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 a pain," whispered
Rip Van Wrinkle sympathetically, and
Brewster laughed. Peggy did not hes
itate an instant after hearing the
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 them
completely. Brave as she intended to
be, she could not repress the shudder
of repulsion that went over her as she
looked full upon this eager Arab.
Graceful and slender, she stood be-
fore the burly Mohammed, but his ar
dor was not cooled by the presence Of
so many witnesses. With thud he
dropped to his knees, wabbling for
moment in the successful effort to
maintain a poetic equilibrium. Then
he began pouring forth volumes OF
shattered French, English and Arabic
sentiment, accompanied by facial con-
tortions so intense that they were lit
tie less than grewsome.
"Oh, Joy Of the sun supreme, jewel
Of the only eye, hearken to the en-
treaty of Mohammed." 1t was more
as If he were commanding his troops
in battle than pleading for the tender
compassion of ladylove. Il am come
for you, queen of the sea and earth and
sky. My boats are here, my camels
there, and Mohammed promises you
palace in the sunlit hills, II you will
but let him bask forever in the glory of
your SMILE"
All this was uttered in a mixture of
tongues so atrocious that Subway
Smith afterward described 1t as sal
ad. The retinue bowed impressiVe!y,
and two or three graceless Americans
applauded as vigorously as II they
were approving the actions of we'll
drilled comic opera chorus. Sailors
were hanging in the rigging, on the
davits and over the deck house roJ(.
Smile for the gentleman, Peggy,
commanded Brewster delightedly. He
wants to take a short bask.'
You are very rude, Mr.. Brewster"
said Peggy, turning upon his coldly.
Then to the waiting, expectant sheik,
.gyIv s, hn nj
quence?"
Mohammed looked bewildered for a
moment and then turned to the inter-
prefer, who cleared up the mystery
surrounding her English. For the next
three or four minutes the air was fill
ed with the Jewels of Africa" star"
sunlight" queen" heavenly JOY"
pearl of the desert" and other things
in bad English, worse French and per-
feet Arabic. He was making promises
that could not be redeemed if he lived
a thousand years. In conclusion the
gallant sheik drew a long breath,
screwed his face into simpering grin
and played his trump card in unmis-
taxable English. 1t sounded patheti-
cally like You're a peach"
An indecorous roar went up from the
white spectators, and a jacky in the
rigging, suddenly thinking Of home,
piped up with bar or two from 1.-THE
Star Spangled Banner"
Having accomplished what he con-
sidered to be his part of the ceremony,
he sheik arose and started toward his
launch, coolly motioning for her to fol-
low. So far as he was concerned the
matter was closed. But Peggy, her
heart humping like trip hammer, her
eyes full Of excitement, implored him
to stop for a moment.
Il appreciate this great honor but
have a request to make" she said
clearly. Mohammed paused irresolute-
ly and in some irritation.
Here's where the heather gets 1t
among the beads" whispered Monty
to Mrs. Dan. And he called out, Cap
tain Perry, detail half a dozen men to
pick up the beads that are about to
slip from his majestys neck"
CHAPTER XIV.
Peggy gave the sheik an enhancing