The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-03-16
THE CALL FROM THE DESERT


THE CALL FROM THE DESERT.
"Not yet," said Marjorie. 81 can't
marry you yet, Jack
But why not?" persisted Captain
Aymere els it the same old story ?
Is it that you won't beleive-or can.
believe-that Guy is dead?"
She gave a little shudder.
eyes, that is why she answered.
"But. three years have passed since
he was killed." said Aymere. Three
years! His own men brought to
Tangier the news of his DEATH
Aymere took her hands in his. She
was very beautiful, this first love Of
his-more beautiful even than when
she varied Rolfe, who was once his
friend-Rolfe who had treated her
brutally, who had neglected her, who
had gone off at last to Morocco on one
of his expeditions and had never re-
turned.
1t was quite true that Aymere had
always adored Marjorie. When she
married Rolfe he suffered cruelty,
but he had striven to keep the man S
friendship, and from afar, as it were,
he worshipped the woman who had
sacrificed herself to so unworthy a
husband. But time, the healer, had
wrought changes of great import to
Jack Aymere. Rolfe was dead, with
out doubt, and Marjorie was to be
won. He knew that she loved him.
For two years after Rolfe's death he
never saw her, but then he came and
asked her to be his wife. She refused,
as she was refusing now; the old
dread was always in her heart.
But Aymere was persistent lover.
and the Knowledge that Marjorie re-
turned his love made him sure that
in the end he would win her-and
at last she did consent. The day was
fixed and presents and congratula-
tions poured in.
Then came the bombshell, for
Rolfe, after all, had not been killed.
He was captive in the hands of the
Moors. The same American consul
who had sent the news of his death
to Marjorie three years ago now sent
this fresh, this stunning intelligence.
When Marjorie received the news
she sent for Captain Aymere.
Aymere guessed in an instant what
had happened. One glance at Mario
rie's face and he knew the truth.
$50 you were right" he said
quietly. HE is alive!"
She handed him letter, and wait
ed in silence until he had read it
through to the end.
A few days later the couple, ac-
companied by Marjorie's brother
Reggie, were on their way to Tan
gier.
After an uneventiul voyage, they
arrived in northern Africa, where the
American consul had secured guide,
and one week later well equipped
caravan started southwark over the
desert.
The caravan crawled slowly. Abu
Yussef, the guide, was a man of few
words, but he had told Aymere that
Rolfe had sent him to Tangier, prom
ising him a rich reward if he succeed
ed in getting help.
The caravan moved more quickly
as the higher lands were reached,
where the cool breezes blew from the
mountains.
At last the mountains were cross
ed, and in valley beyond lay little
white town, to the left of which,
looking very tall and slender at so
great a distance, was tower.
Abu Yussef touched Aymere>s
sleeve.
"He is there!" he said.
Aymere nodded.
81 will go to him to-night-alone,"
he WHISPERED. "Do not tell the 9TH
ers. We will camp here"
He stole away about midnight,
when all except Abu Yussef and Mar
jorie were slumbering.
The night was wonderfully bright
and clear. The Moonlight silvered the
desert, the stars blazed in their golry,
and a pure cold wind was blowing.
Once or twice some dark creature