Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-08-27
cusvuasA. lsai b, Beaa,.as.r.u c.esaav
CHAPTER XVIII.

Cs1kh 1911 b DeassA sssrn csnsa5
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Man Who Dldn't Care.
e was the first Of February when
Ackermann's caravan drew into the
ancient city Of Damascus. That part
Of the caravan deserted by Mahomed
\ put out for Cairo Immediately they
struck the regular camel-way. For
tune. George and Rysnne were in q
pitiable condition, heart and body
weary. In rage and tatters. George.
now that the haven was assured.
dropped his forced buoyancy. his pratt
IL. his jests. He had done all a NOR
tai man could to keep up the spirits
Of his co-unfortunates: and he saw
that, most Of the time, he had wasted
!. his talents. Ryanne, sullen and mo-
rose. often told him to shut up; \.
which wasn't sxhilarating. And For
tune viewed his attempts without
sensing them and frequently looked at
him without seeing him. Now, all this
was not particularly comforting to the
man who loved her and was doing
what he could to tighten the dreari.
ness Of the Journey. He made allow.
ances, however: besides suffering un'
usual privations. Fortune had had a
frixhtful mental shock. A girl Of her
depth Of character could not be ex.
pscted to rise Immediately to the old
level. Sometimes. while gathered
about the evening fire, he would look
up to find her sad eyes staring at him.
and It nattered not If he stared in re-
turn; q kind Of clairvoyance blurred
visibilities for she was generally look
inE into her garden At Mentone and
wondering when this horrible dream
would pass. Subjects for converse
ton were exhausted in no time. Dig
% he might. George could find moth.
ing new; and often he recounted the
Same tale twice Of an evening. Sar'
donic laughter from Ryanne.
Alderman had given them up as
hopeless. He was strong, vain, DOM
inssring man, kindly at heart, how
ever, but impatient. When he told a
story, he demanded the attention Of
IN: %. when Ryanne yawned before
his eyes, and George drew pictures in
the sand, and the girl fell asleep with
her head upon her knees. he drew
on abruptly and left them to their
own devices. He had crossed and re-
crossed the silences 30 often that he
Wa no longer capable Of judging &C.
cuTatsly smother mans mental pro
caaeea. That they had had a strange
slaAd numbing experience he readily
understood: but now that they were
out Of duress and headed for the
coast. ho saw no reason why they
should not act like human beings.
They still put up the small tent for
Fortune, but the rest Of them slept
upon the sand, under the stars. Once.
George awoke as the dawn was gild-
ing the east. Silhouetted against the
sky he saw Fortune. She was stand
ing straight. her hands pressed at her
sides. her head tilted back-a tense
attitude. He did not know 1t, but
she was asking God why these things
should be. He threw OF his blanket
snd ran to her.
Fortune. you mustn't do that. You
will catch cold.
Fl cannot Sleep" she said simply.
He took her by the hand and led
her to the tent. "Try." he said. Then
he did something he had never done
before to any woman save his mother.
He kissed her hand. turned quickly.
and went over to his blanket. She
remained motionless before the tent.
The hand fascinated her. From the
hand her gaze travelled to the man
settling himself comfortably under his
blanket. :. Pity. pity! that
was ever to BE- her portion; pity!
In Damascus the trio presented
themselves at the one decent hotel,
and but for Ackermann's charges upon
the manager. It is doubtful II he would
have accepted them as guests; for a
moro suspicious-looking trio no had
never set eyes upon. "a hotel man
weighs q person by the quality Of his
clothes.) Moreover. they carried no
luggage. Alderman went sponsor;
and knowing something Of the intes-
rity Of the rug-hunter, tho manager
surrendered. Aud when George pre-
S0SUt0O LIE 40SVoH VI 'VISUAI ~ IIt0 1U1s
perial Ottoman Bank, again It was
Alderman who vouched for him. It
had been agreed to say nothing Of the
character Of their adventure. None
II them wanted to be followed BY Gu.
sS1oas eyes.
with = handful Of British gold In his
pockGk, George faced the future hope
fully. He took his companions in
and about town, hunting the shops for
clothing, which after various dimcul.
Hes they succeeded In finding. It was
mating and cheap. but it would serve
IN they reached Alexandria or Naples.
# How are you Axedf' asked Ry.
anns. Sloomily surveying Georges
shoddy cottonwood suit
Cash In handf"
( Yes
About four hundred pounds. AT
Naples can cable. Do you want
any9s
-voald you. mind advancing me
tW6 months salary?'
Mi S6IaSH..> - No,, paollv moan IN