New-York tribune., 1910-06-12

waited scent of oriental perfumes from
neighboring terraces The soft splash OF
waters, dropping like rain in fountain basins,
the call of night birds, and the sOttened
sounds of ancient Fee mingling with tender
voice that had betrayed itself in the words,
Il should sorrow to know that the world no
longer held the most loyal gentleman have
ever known
He was free! Free to go to her, when this
gage of strength was over, and ask her what
She meant! To ask her if she could be his
own! Charlotte would be, as she had always
been, his sister.
He lifted himself to his feet, threw back
his head, and breathed the night air deeply
into his lungs. He was like one from whose
shoulders load had been lifted and the
way opened for easy travel.
He was aroused to a consciousness of his
IL surroundings by a sight of the kaid's
distressed and 1nqu1r1ng face. 1t all came
back to him,-the night, the tent, the con-
ficting armies, the barbariC land, and the
little English adventurer, who now, more
than ever, had become his friend. 1t was as
if trivial things past and gone, look from
this same little EngliShman, an alteration
of eye, a tenderness of speech, an unfaIlIng
courtesy, and a marked delicacy of manner
all bestowed upon his foster sister, recurred
to him in palpable summary of explanatory
truth.
He lowered above the table, resting his
weight on the knuckles of both hands and
thrusting his head forward toward his COM
paniOn. ''YOu!" he said. You are the mani"
The Kaid, as if accused of something I'M
merited or suddenly confronted BY friend
gone mad, leaped to his feet so abruptly
that his camp stool was thrown backward
beneath his cot
Il? Good Heavens, ,Dick-er-Captain
Whitney-what do you mean?" He had
drawn himself TO an involuntary attitude of
physical defense as If anticipating an attack
from the stalwart American, who was staring
at him with wide eyes and close shut lips.
Quite slowly Whitney held the letter
toward him and said, Read"
THE Englishman took it unhesitatingIy
and, leaning over the table where the
Candlehght ShOne strong, slowly absorbed
the hOmely words of the old cattIeman.
Masked as he was in habitual restraint. his
face broke into SOftened lines, and when ne
looked up his eyes were glad, vet SorrOwful
Whitney, he faltered, God knows |
wish L were the mani If | knew that was
true, all this out there" and he waved his
hand in an all embracing gesture toward the
outer armies of the night, would be as
nothing. His fingers swept up to fearless,
trembling gesture. Only God and she
knows whether l am; but this | say TO YOU
who had the envied place. that if were.
neither King nor Sultan could take her from
mel
The bulldog defiance in his conclusion was
almost like a challenge. and the American.
reading the hot love flaming through his
eyes, knew that he had told the truth. and
understood to the last sentiment why Char
lotte had chosen him as her god of hearts
desire"
The adventurer drew back. as if anticipat-
ing blow from the hand which was swiftly
stretched across the table toward his own
lie was bewildered dazed, and dumb in this
unexpected manifestation of friendship. For
an instant he backed off until his feet came
IN contact with the fallen campstool. and
then he halted with head thrust forward and
trownlng browS endeavoring 10 interpret the
Americans attitude. Little by little he re-
laXed as the unwavering hand open and