Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-22
CHAPTER XIII

SnaQOWy HSuTeS On lAo ueSh VI :"
small trading vessel, which had spent
the night between the moles OF the
harbor of Algiers. announced that the
anchor was being weighed.
While this was taking place a smaE
harbor boat. manned by two. native
watermen and carrying single. pas
senger. put out from the steamship
quay the oarsmen rowing with a will
that limited at premium having been
placed upon theft speed. The coaster
was barely under way, moving slow.
" in the water. when the boat ran
alongside. A line was thrown from
the ship and caught by one Of the
watermen. the boat hauled close in,
and it's passenger taken on deck.
An hour later, pipe between his
teeth, O'Rourke stood by the helms
man, staring back over the heaving
expanse. swiftly widening. that lay be
tween the coaster and the Algerian
littoral The world behind was gray
and wan, but the skies ahead were
golden. "A fair omen!" breathed the
adventurer hopefully.
The bulk of the great ruby in his
pocket brought his thought back in
wide swing to the girl who would be
waiting for him at Rangoon. Faith
and must be getting below and maxi
ing dab at writing letter to her
That was nothing"
He nodded with meaning towards
The bold profile Of Algiers.
An Ill wind it was that blew Colonel
.O'Rourke into Athens. 1t has
blown itself out and been forgotten
this many day, praises be! but that
once it had whisked him thither. I'm;
mediately it subsidized and stubbornly
il refused to HIT again and watt him
forth upon his wanderings, in the
course Of time came to be matter OF
gricvous concern 10 the lrishman.
, All Of which Is equivalent 70 saying
that the dropping breeze Of his
finances died altogether upon his
arrival in the capital of Greece. lie
in the harbor of the Firaeus encum.
bered with q. hundred francs or SO. an
invincible optimism. 4 trunk and
kit.box. and kings ransom on his
person in the shape of the Pool OF
Flame: which latter vas hardly to
be esteemed negotiable asset. There
after followed days Of inaction, while
his hopes diminished.
Nearly two months had elapsed
since he had promised two people
himself and one infinitely more dear
to hm--to he in Rangoon In ninety
days. In little more than month
she'd be waiting for him there. y. :.
And where would he be? Still was
he far by many long and weary
mile from the first gateway to the
East--Suez; and still he lacked many
an aloof and distant dollar the funds
10 finance him thither.
II only he could contrive to get tc
Alexandria, Danny was there
Danny Malone. ne OF the red, red
head and the ready fists: Danny. who
held the O'Rourke as only second to
the Pope in dignity and Importance;
VINO had been O'Rourke's valet in a
happier time and OF late in his hum.
bier way an adventureg like his mas
ter He was there. In Alexandria,
half partner in a tobacco importing
house. by virtue OF money borrowed
from ORourke long since. at time.
when money vas TO be had OF the
man for the asking. And
Danny would help.
You must see O'Rourke revolving in
his mind this unhappy predicament OF
his. on the last OF the many afternoons
that he spent in Greece. Draw down
the corners Of his wide. mobile mouth.
stir up the devils In his eyes until
they flicker and flash their resentment,
place quicker between the browS OF
his habitually serene and unwrinEied
forehead: and there YOU have him
who sat beside the little table in the
purple of the Zappeion. with head
barred to the cool Of the evening
breeze. alternately putting at a me-
diocre cigar and slipping black coffee
from the demi-tasse at his elbow.
Now just as the sun was sinking be-
hind the mountains and HymettuS was
clothing iis long slopes In vague violet
light of mystery and enchantment ttor
this view alone O'Rourke took himself
70 the Lappeion daily the lrisnman $
somher mcdita:ions were Interrupted.
"Phew Otter'n the seven brass
'inges OF ell" remarked cheerful
voice, not two feet from his ear.
O'Rourke turned with an imper
ceptble start-he was moi easily sta.
tied. True for ye,' he assented. TAX
ing stock Of him who. With his wealth
er-wise remark for an introduction,
calmly possessed himself OF the va.
cant chair at the other side Of the
table and gFinned rubicund grin
across it.
He showed himself man IN stature
no whit inferior to the Irishnan. as
20 height: and perhaps. ne, vas 2
stone the heavier Of the two. i, He
lacked. otherwise. O'Rourke's alert