Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-06-18
MOROCCO BOUND.

sheltered from the glare of the tropical
sun, slowly deeiphering letter that an
envoy had just brought him from Rabat.
otis well! He consents to pay the
ransom for the girl. Two hundred
pounds" he said aloud, when he had
Bring the maiden to me, Mulai."
The turbaned Moor. who had been
standing like an ebony statue awaiting
his chiefs commands, salaamed and
withdrew, returning in minute with
pretty, vivacious English girl of IS.
The tent was ill-lighted, and, coming
from the brilliant sunshine, it was few
seconds before the girl made out the
figure of the Moorish chieftain seated on
some cushions, smiling blandly upon her
"Oh! you're there, kaid," she said,
when her eyes had grown accustomed to
the gloom. Then, noticing the letter he
held in his hand: "Ah, see you've some
news for me. You've heard from dad
Has he sent the money for my ransom"
NO. but it is arranged. The governor
of Rabat's headsman will be here at
shutdown with it, and then you will be
free''
What pity said the girl, with
sigh, sinking on to an old but gorgeous
divan near Mustapha. You seem in
terrible hurry to get rid of me-"
you prefer bondagep The kaid
smiled. "Bismillah! Though an infdel,
you are truly a woman"
yes. l prefer this bondage-if you
can dignity my holiday here with such
a name-to the real bondage my father
wishes to impose on me-marriage.
Marriage with a man I've never seen
just because he's lord.n
"You are not obedient to your father"
The kaid frowned and shook his head
He did not approve of disobedience
women. IF We're your father,
should
IF you We're, that would put a diff
ferent complexion on the matter"
laughed the girl. "But you're not, kaid,
luckily-for you Oh! / say, | suppose
you thought yourself rather clever in
capturing me, didn't you? Well, you
weren't a bit. | got myself captured"
The chief of Ben Hassan smiled in
credulously and shook his head
"What, don't you believe mel It's
true. Listen. The lordling was coming
to Rabat on a visit to meet his prospec-
tive bride e--you know Well, ]
didn't want to see him, and / told dad
so, ard we had a row about it. and he
said nasty things to me. Feeling des-
perate, and having heard you spoken
of in Rabat as most gentlemanly. ! de-
termined to come to see you for holi-
day So after inquiring the way, rode
ont IN nd i n,s% r
hope you'd keep me a prisoner at least
a fortnight. You're most inconsiderate.
I I've only been here three days, and now
I'm to be sent back to Rabat, and shall
, have to meet that lordling after all.
Can't you keep me bit longer-till-
till he's gone ?"
by Allah to deliver you up tonight,
and"
YES, yes, know--you wouldn't mind
robhing man, or killing one for that
matter, but you won't break your word
Well, I'll have to go, / suppose, but |
won't marry that lordling. I'd marry a
Niger sooner-or even YOU"
THAT may not be- A true believer
may not wed with an infdel, like you.s
Excuse me, you're the infidel. at
least, so I've been taught to believe But
then every religion treats rival like
the pot does the kettle
And you are not fat enough to mar
ry"
"Ah! I'd forgotten. You fatten yocr
| girls for marriage as we do our turkeys
| for Christmas. | shall have to look else
| where for husband"
| Il have another captive-an English
man, who is at your disposal If you
really want husband"
That's very kind of you. Kaid. Do
| you make a practice of giving men
away? If so, I've a heap of spinster
friends at home who'll be glad of an in
PRODUCTION to you. What's the man
like--old and ugly ~
NO, he is young, but most bias
phemus lnfdel. He called our prophet
rotten imposter. | should have killed
him on the spot, only your English gov
ernment makes a great fuss about such
matters. Still, he shall suffer- will
marry him to you"
The girl laughed heartily at the Moor's
unconscious humor.
! You're really too cruel" she said.
NO, l can't lend myself for such an
| awful chastisement, Besides. l don't
| want husband only want an excuse
for refusing the lordhng. If l married
your captive, he might want to follow
me home. I'D like to see him. though.
Where is he?
The kaid clapped his hands, an at
tendant entered, and the captive Eng
| hshman was sent for.
Don't let him know I'm English,
kaid. Say I'm French" said the Girl.
arranging the mantilla she was wearing
so that it partly hid her features.
AS You will" replied Musta pha. "a
the Englishman. his arms bound with
stout cords, and struggling in the grip
of three brawny Moors, was thrust
roughly into the pavilion.
Half choking with suppressed rage at
the treatment he received, the man