Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-09-06

how any one could have stolen It. He
never failed to lock his door and
leave the key with the porter. And
surely, only a man with wings could
have gained entrance by the window.
Being thorough business man among
other accomplishments, he reported
his. loss ct once to the management;
and the management set about the
matter with celebrity. At half after
seven every maid and servant in the
hotel had been questioned and exam
ined, without the least noticeable re-
sub. The rug was nowhere to be
found. George felt the loss keenly.
He was not so rich that he could af.
ford toiose both the rug and the thou
sand pounds he had paid for 1t. His
1rst thought had been of Ryanne; but
1T was proved that RyanDe had not
been in the hotel since morning; at
'least, no one had seen him.
George gloomed about. A beastly
day, all told; everything had gone
wrong, and all because he had over
slept. At dinner something was
wrong with the soup; the fish was
greasy; the roast was dry and stringy;
the wine, full Of pieces Of cork. Out
into the lounging-room again5 and
then the porter hurried over to him
with a note from Ryanne. It stated
briefly that it was vitality important
for Mr.. Jones to meet him at nine
O'Clock at the Knglish.Bar In the Quar-.
ter Rosetti. Any driver would show
him the way. Mohamed-ElGebe the
guardian Of the Holy Yhiordes, had
turned up. and the band was begin
ming tO.ylay. Would Mr.. Jones like a
little fun by the wayside?" !;
Tn his man." said George. But
Row the devil did this Mahomed ever
get into my room?"
Had fortune dined downstairs in.
stead Of alone in her room, events
might have turned out differently. Ry.
anne had really written to George, but
not to Fortune.
MahOmed, fatalist that he was, had
thrown everything upon the whirling
scales Of chance, and waited. Later,
he may have congratulated himself
upon his good luck. But It wasn't
luck; It was the will Of Allah that he,
Aahomed, should contribute his slen.
der share in working out the des.
TIMES Of two young people. 4
George was in the proper mood for
IN adventure. He went so far as to
admit to himself that he would have
liked nothing better than q fisticuff.
The one mistake he made in his cal
culations was dress: Men didn't gen.
orally 80 a-venturing in such finical
attire. They wore bowlers and sack
coats and carried heavy walking.
sticks. The only weapons George had
were his two hands, now adorned with
snlg.ftting opera-gloves.
He saw Mrs. Chedsoye, spoke to her,
inquired about Fortune, and was IN
formed that she had dined in her
room. A case of doldrums, Mrs. Ched-
sOye believed.
I'm in a peck Of trouble" said
George, craving little sympathy.
I'm what way%,
The rug l told you about is gone."
What? Stolen?"
Yes. Vanished into thin air."
That's too bad. OF course the po-
lice will eventually find 1t for you"
I'm afraid that's exactly the
trouble. l really darent put the case
In the hands Of the police"
g "Oh, ! see." Mrs. Chedsoye looked
profoundly sorry.
And here I am due for Port Said
tomorrow"
That's the kind that bowls you
over" said the Major. IF there is
anything can do after you are
gOne. ="
"Oh, l shouldn't think Of bothering
you. Thanks, though"
you must have lost your key" sug.
gested Mrs. Chedsoye. $40.
mo. It's been hanging up in the
porter's bureau all day."
well, hope you find the rug" said
the Major, with a sly glance at his
sister.
Thanks. | must be off. The chan