Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-08-02

from the blaze, George saw Fortun
bending over the inanimate Ryannc.
She was bathing his face with 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 tende.
mercies.
Can l help?" asked George.
you might rub his wrists" she
answered.
It seemed odd to him that they
should begin in such matter-of-fact
way. It would be only when they
had fully adjusted themselves to the
situation that questions would put
forth for answers. He knelt down ar
the other side of Ryanne and mas.
saged his wrists and arms. Once he
paused, catching his breath.
what is it?" she asked.
"a rib seems to bother me. It'll be
all right tomorrow" He went or
with his manipulations.
as he badly hurt?"
81 can't say"
His knowledge of anatomy was not
wide; still, Ryanne's arms and leg
worked satisfactorily. The troub!e
was either in his head or back of hi.
ribs. He put his arm under Ryanne'.
shoulder and raised him. Ryannc
mumbled some words. George ben
down TO catch them "Hit 'em up i.
this half, boys; we've go: them goin;
He'll! Get off my head, you farmer
Two cards. please" Hi
face puckered into what was intendef
for q smile. George laid him baci;
gently. Football and poker: wha'
had this man not known or seen il
life? Some one came between III;
two men and the fire, casting Ion
shadow athwart them. George locke
up and saw Mahomed standing clos
by. His arms were folded and h!
face grimly inscrutable.
"Iave you any blankets?" aske'
George coolly.
Mahomed gave an order. A hlankc
and two saddle-bags were throw.
down beside the unconscious mai
George made q pillow OF the bags an
laid the blanket over Ryanne.
"Why do you waste your time owe
him." asked Mahomed curiously.
81 would not let q dog die this way,
he rctorted.
"He would have let you die" reptile.
Mahomed, turning upon his heel.
George stared thoughtfully at his
whilom accomplice What did thu
old villain insinuate?
Can ! do anything to make. you
more comfortable?" speaking to For
tune.
I'm all right. I was chilled little
while ago, but the fire has done ava,
with that. Thank you"
"You must eat when they bring you
food"
I'll try to-" smiling bravely.
To take her in his arms, then and
there, TO appease their hunger anC
his hearts!
Self-consciously, her hand stole to
her hair. A color came into he;
cheeks. How frightful she must look:
Neither hair-pin nor comb was left.
She threw the strands across her
shoulder and plucked the snarls anG
tangles apart, then braided the whole
He watched her, fascinated. He haG
never seen q woman do this before.
1t was almost sacrilege for him to
be so near her at such q moment.
Afterward she drew her blanket over
her shoulders.
you've got lots of pluck
"Have II"
Eyes. You haven't asked q question
yet" +,
would it help any,"
mo. I don't suppose it would. I've
an idea that we're all on the way to
the home Of Haroun-al-Rashid."
"Bagdad," musingly.
Its the rug. But I do not under
stand you in the picture"
mo more do l."
With a consideration that spoke
we'll Of his understanding, he did not
speak to her again till food was
passed. Later, when the full terror
Of the affair took hold Of her, she
would be dreadfully lonely and would
need to see him near, to hear his
voice. He forced some Of the hot
soup down Ryanne's throat, and was
glad to note that he responded little.
After that he limped about the strange
camp, but was careful to get n no
ones way. Siyly he took note Of this
face and that, and his satisfaction
grew as he counted the aftermath OF
the war. And 1t had taken five OF
them, and even then the result had
been in doubt up to the moment when
his head had gone bang against the
stucco. He took melancholy pride
in his swollen ear and half-shut eye.
He had always been doubtful regard
Ing his courage; and now he knew
that George pprrivoI Alparnon Jones