The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-12-07

Can I help7" asked George.
You might rub his wrists" she
answered.
1t seemed odd to him that they
should begin in such matter-of-fact
way. It would be only when they
had tally 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.
"A RIB seems to bother me, It'll be
Ill right tomorrow" He went on
with his manipulations.
rs he badly hurtf"
II can't say"
His knowledge Of anatomy was not
vide; still, Ryanne's arms and legs
worked satisfactorily. The trouble
was either in his head or back Of his
ribs. He put his arm under Ryanne's
shoulder and raised him. Ryanne
mumbled some words. George bent
down to catch them. "Elit 'em up in
this half, boys; we've got them going.
He'll! Get of my head. you farmer!
Two cards, please" His
face puckered into what was intended
for a. smile. George laid him back
gentlys Football and poker: what
had this man not known or seen in
life? : Some one came between the
two men and the fire, casting long
shadow athwart them. George looked
up and saw Mahomed standing close
by. His arms were folded and his
face grimly inscrutable.
Have you any blankets7" asked
George coolly.
Mahomed gave an order. A blanket
and two. saddle-bags were thrown
down beside the unconscious man.
George made pillow of the bags and
laid the blanket over Ryanne.
"Why do you waste your time over
him?" asked Mahomed curiously.
Il would not let a dog die this way"
be retorted.
HE would have let you die" replied
Mahomed, turning upon his heel.
George stared thoughtfully at his
whilom accomplice. What did the
oldvMafn fns1nuate? e.a-.- .--~
"Can do anything to make you
more comfortable" speaking to For
tune.
I'm all right. I was chilled a little
while ago. but the fire has done away
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, ito appease their hunger and
his hearts!
6elf-consciously, her hand stole to
her hair. A color came into her
cheeks. How frightful she must look!
Neither hair-pin nor comb was left.
She threw the strands across her
shoulder and plucked the enarls and
tangles apart. then braided the whole.
He watched her. fascinated. He had
never. seen a woman do this before.
It was almost sacrilege for him to
be SO near her at such moment.
Afterward she drew her blanket over
her shoulders.
You've got lots Of pluck"
's.Have II"
Eyes. You haven't asked a question
yet"
would 1t help any3"
mo- Il don't suppose 1t would. I've
an idea that we're all on the way to
the home of Haroun-al-Rashid."
"Bagdad," musingly.
"1tis the rug. But do not under.
stand you in the picture"
"No more do l."
. With q 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
mead 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 in no
ones way. Slyly he took note Of this
face and that, and his satisfaction
grew as he counted the aftermath Of
the war, And It had taken five Of
.lnems ana even tnen the result naQ
been In doubt up to the moment when
hts 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 Percival Algernon Jones
was as good name as Bayard.
The camelboys (they are called
boys all the way from ten years up to
forty. having hobbled the beasts,
were portioning each small bundle
Of tibbin or chopped straw in addition
70 what they might find by grazing.
Funny brutss, thought George, as he
walked among the kneeling animals:
to go five days without food or water,
to travel continuously from twenty
I'VE to eighty miles the day! Others