Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-09-20

now longed for the tang Of the Wed
upon his lips. but he held out nan
fully. He would not touch q cigar %
cigarette till nightfail, and then Aa
made up his mind to smoke half q
either. The touch. selfish and calen
lating, Of the miser, stole over lin
II Ryanns was without the sootAef.
SO much the worse for him. TAe n
cigars he would not share with ne
archangel Michael. supposing thai
gentleman came down for q SMOKE
Forward, always forward, vindiaa
In and out OF the valleys. trailing over
the hills, never faster, never slower.
Noon came. and the brilliance Of an
ernoon dimmed and faded into III
short twilight. Were they never Eo1
ing to stop! One nil more, anal
George, to his infinite delight, saw a
cluster OF date-pdms ahead, q mIlsI
or so; and he knew that this was toI
be the haven for the ship of the De-
er The caravan came to II undsrI
the dim light OF the few stars thstI
had not yet attained their refulgencs.l
Under the palms were few deserted
mud-houses. huddled dejectedly to-I
gether. like outcasts seeking the neard
ness rather than the companionship oil
the co-unfortunates. Men had dvelt|
here once upon time. but the plagueI
had doubtless counted them out, one
by one. They made camp near theI
well, which still contained water.
Prayers. A wailing chanted forth
toward Mecca God is great. ThereI
Is no God but God"
George had witnessed prayers 10
often that he no longer gave attention
to the muezzin calling at eventide
from the minaret. But out here, In
the blank wilderness, 1t caught him
again, caught him as II had never
done before. A SILVER stirred the hair
at the base Of his neck. The lean
bodies, one not distingulshable from
the other now, kneeling, standing,
sweeping the arms. touching the fore
head upon the rug, for even the low
est camel-boy had his prayer-rug.
ceaselessly intoning the set phrases
George felt shame grow in his heart.
Was he as loyal TO his God as these
were TO theirs?
A good fire was started, and the fu.
nereal aspect OF the oasis became
quick and cheerful. A little distance
from the blaze, George saw Fortune
bending over the inanimate RyanAe.
She was bathing his face with a wet
handkerchief. After a time Ryanne
turned over and flung his arms Imply
across his face. 1t was the first sign
OF life he had exhibited since the
start. Fortune gently pulled aside
his arms and continued her tender
mercies.
Can help?" asked George.
You might rub his wrists" she
answered. Z
1t seemed odd to him that they
should begin in such a matter.offact
way. 1t would be only when they
had fully adjusted themselves to the
situation that questions would put
forth for answers. He knelt down At
the other side Of Ryanne and mas
saged his wrists and arms. Once he
paused, catching his breath.
What is it," she asked.
Arb seems to bother me. It'll Be
all right tomorrow. He went on
with his manipulatons.
'Is he badly hurt?"
Il can't say"
His knowledge Of anatomy was no.
wide; still, Ryanne's arms and len
worked satisfactorily. The trouble
was either in his head or back Of HIS
ribs. He put his arm under Ryanne'u
shoulder and raised him. Ryanns
mumbled some words. George beni
down to catch them. "HIt 'em up in
this half, boys; we've got them going
Hell! Get on my head, you farmer!
|. Two cards, please" His
face puckered into what was INTENDED
for a smile. George laid him bael
gently. Football and poker: What
had this man not known or seen IN
life? Some one came between the
two men and the fire. casting q lonl
shadow athwart them, George LOOKED
up and saw Mahomed standing clos,
by. His arms were folded and If,
face grimly inscrutable.
Have you any blankets?" asked
George coolly. a
Mahomed gave an order. A'blankeI
and two saddle-bags were throw
down beside the unconscious man
George made pillow Of the bags ana
laid the blanket over Ryanne.
why do you waste your time owe
him" asked Mahomed curiously.
Il would not let dog die this way
he retorted.
He would have let you de" replie,
Mahomed, turning upon his heel.
George stared thoughtfully at hi
whilom accomplice. What did th,
, old villain insinuate?
, Can | do anything to make .yol
more comfortable" speaking 60 For
, tune.
I'm all right. | was chilled a it'll,
while ago, but the fire has done ava,
with that. Thank you"
You must eat when they bring 70,