Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1912-11-28
CorWTkht 1911 by Bobbs-Merrill Company
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Man Who Didn't Care.

TIC NidH WIN DiCI Val
It 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 camelway. For
tune, George and Ryanne were in a
pitiable condition, heart and body
weary, in rage and tatters. George,
now that the haven was assured,
dropped his forced buoyancy, his pratt
tie, his jests. He had done all NOR
tai man could to keep up the spirits
Of his co-unfortunates; and he saw
that, NEST of the time, he had wasted
his talents. Ryanne, sullen and mo-
rose, often told him to shut up"
which wasn't exhilarating. 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 I'M
usual privations, Fortune had had
frightful mental shock. A girl of her
depth of character could not be ex-
pected 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 mattered not if he stared in re-
turn; kind of clairvoyance blurred
visibilities, for she was generally look
ing into her garden at Mentone and
wondering when this horrible dream
would pass. Subjects for converse
ton were exhausted in no time. Dig
as he might, George could find moth
ing new; and often he recounted the
same tale twice of an evening. Sar-
donic laughter from Ryanne.
Ackermann had given them up as
hopeless. He was strong, vain, dom
ineering man, kindly at heart, how
ever, but impatient. When he told
story, he demanded the attention Of
all; so, 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
off abruptly and left them to their
own devices. He had crossed and re-
crossed the si1ences so often that he
was no longer capable of judging &C
curately another mans mental pro
cesses. That they had had strange
and numbing experience he readily
understood; but now that they were
out of duress and headed for the
univ
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 it, but
she was asking God why these things
should be. He threw off his blanket
and ran to her.
Fortune, you mustn't do that. You
will catch cold"
"I 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 if he would
have accepted them as guests; for
more notwithstanding trio he had
never set eyes upon. CA hotel man
weighs a person by the quality Of his
clothes.) Moreover, they carried no
luggage. Ackermann went sponsor;
and knowing something of the integ-
rity OF the rug-hunter, the manager
surrendered. And when George pre-
scented his letter of credit at the I'm
perial Ottoman Bank, again it was
Ackermann who vouched for him. 1t
had been agreed to say nothing of the
character of their adventure. None
or them wanted to be followed by Gu
rious eyes.
With a handful of British gold in his
pocket, George faced the future hope
fully. He took his companions in
and about town. hunting the shops for