davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25
SYNOPSIS.

George PercivaI Algernon Jones, vice
president of the Metropolitan Oriental
Rug company of New York, thirsttng for
romance, is in Cairo on a business trip.
Horace Ryanne arrives at the hotel In
Cairo with a carefully guarded bundle.
Ryanne sells Jones the famous holy Yhi-
oTdes rug which he admits having stolen
from pasta at Bagdad. Jones meets
Major Callahan and later Is introduced to
Fortune ChedsOye by a woman to whom
ne had loaned 150 pounds at Monte Carlo
some months previously, and who turns
out to be Fortunes mother. Jones takes
Afrs. ChedsOye and Fortune to a polo
game. Fortune returns to Jones the
money borrowed by her mother. Mrs.
Chedsoye appears to be engaged in some
mysterious enterprise unknown to the
daughter. Ryanne interests Jones in the
United Romance and Adventure com
pany, a concern which for a price will
arrange any kind Of an adventure to or
der. Mrs. Chedsoye, her brother, Major
Callahan, Wallace and Ryanne, as the
United Romance and Adventure company,
plan a risky enterprise involving Jones.
Ryanne makes known to Mrs. Chedsoye
his intention to marry Fortune. MRS
ChedsOye declares she will not permit It.
Plans are laid to prevent Jones s&lnng
for home. Ryanne steals Jones' letters
and cable dispatches: He wires agent IN
renting house in New York to some
friends. MahOmed, keeper Of the holy
carpet, is on Ryanne's trail; Ryanne
Jones comes to no harm as result OF his
purchase of the rug MahOmed accosts
Ryanne and demands the Yhiordes rug:
Ryanne tells him Jones has the rug ana
suggests the abduction Of the New York
merchant as a means of securing its re.
turn The rug disappears from Jones
COON Fortune quarrels with her mother
when the latter refuses to explain her
mysterious actions. Fortune gets a mes
sage purporting to be from Ryanne ask
ting her to meet him in a secluded place
that evening. Jones receives a message
asking him to met Ryanne at the English
Bar the same evening. Jones is carried
accompliCes after desperate fight. He
discovers that Ryanne and Fortune also
are captives, the former Is badly battered
and unconscious.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25
CHAPTER XIV.
Mahomed offers Freedom.


Fortune had slept, but only after
hours of watchful terror. The slight
est sound outside the tent sent a
scream into her throat, but she sue
ceeded each time in sitting it. Once
the evil laughter of a hyena came over
her ears, shivering. Alone! She laid
her head upon the wadded saddle-bags
and wept silently, and every sob tore
at her heart She must keep up the
farce of being brave when she knew
that she wasn't The men must not
be discouraged. Her department
would characterize theirs; any sign
of weakness upon her side would cor
respondingly depress them the more.
She prayed to God to give her the
strength to hold out. She was afraid
OF Mahomed; she was afraid Of his
grim smile, afraid of his hooking
eyes; she could not sponge out the
scene wherein he had so gratuitously
kicked Horace in the side. Horace!
No, she did not believe that she would
ever forgive him for this web which
he had spun and fallen into himself
Two things she must hide for the
sake Of them all: her fear of Mahom-
ed and her knowledge OF Ryanne's
trickery,
What part IN this tragedy had the
Arab assigned her? Her fingers twined
and untwined, and she rocked and
rocked, bit her lips, lay down, sat up
and rocked again. But for the ex-
haustion, but for the insistent call of
nature, she would never have closed
her eyes that night.
And her mother!~ What would ksr
mother believe, after the scene that
had taken place between them? What
could she believe, save that her daugh-
ter had fulfilled her threat, and run
away? And upon this not unreason-
able superstition her mother would
make no attempt to find oct what had
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

You've got lots Of pluck"
Have II"
Yes. You haven't asked question
yet" (
Would it help any,"
mo, don't suppose it would. I've
an idea that we're all on the way to
the home Of Haroun-alRashid."
"Bagdad," musingly.
IT'S the rug. But l 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 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
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 a 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 a name as Bayard.
The camel-boys (they are called
boys all the way from ten years up to
fOrty), having hobbled the beasts,
were portioning each a small bundle
Of tibbin or chopped straw in addition
to what they might find by grazing.
Funny brutes, thought George, as he
walked among the kneeling animals:
to go five days without food or water,
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

to travel continuously from twenty
five to eighty miles the day! Others
were busy with the pack-baskets. A
tent, presume bly, Mahomed's, was be
ing erected upon a clayey piece of
ground in between the palms. No one
entered the nuts, even out of curios-
ity; so George was certain that the
desertion had been brought about by
one plague or another. A smaller
tent was put up later, and he was
grateful at the sight of it. 1t meant
a little privacy for the poor girl. Great
God, how helpless he was, how help
less they all were!
An incessant clatter, occasionally
interspersed with a laugh, went on.
The Arab, unlike the East Indian, is
not ordinarily surly; and these
seemed to be good-natured enough.
They eyed George without malice.
The war of the night before had been
all in a days work, for which they
had been literally paid. While he had
spent much time in the Orient and
had ridden camels. real caravan,
prepared for weeks of travel, was a
distinct novelty, and so he viewed all
with interest, knowing perfectly we'll
that within few days he would look
upon these activities with dull, hope
less anger He went back to the
Girl and sat down beside her.
Have you any idea why you are
here?"
mo; unless he saw me in the ba-
zaars with Horace, and thought to
torture him by bringing me along"
Horace! A chill that was not of the
night ran over his shoulders. So she
called the adventurer by his given
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

BACK upon the hard clay and slept.
Romance Is the greatest thing in the
world; but for all that, a man must
eat and man must sleep.
The cold dew of dawn was the tonic
that recalled him from the land Of
grotesque dreams. He sat up and
rubbed his face briskly with his hands,
drying 1t upon the sleeve Of his coat,
as hasty and as satisfying a toilet as
he had ever made. There was no ac-
tivity in camp; evidently they were
not going to start early. The cook
alone was busy. The fire was crack
ling, the kettle was steaming, and
pot Of pleasant-smelling coffee
leaned rakishIy against the hot
ashes. The flap to Fortunes tent was
still closed. And there was Ryanne,
sitting with his knees drawn up under
his chin, his hands clasped about his
shins, and glowering at no visible
thing.
"Hello!" cried George. Found
yourself, eh?"
Ryanne eyed him without emotion.
when and how did they get you? 2"
George inquired
About three hours before they got
you. Something in a glass of wine.
Dope, I'd have cleaned them up but
for that"
How do you feel?"
Damned bad, Percival"
ANY bones broken?"
mo; I'm just knocked about; sore
spot in my side; kicked, maybe But
it isn't that"
George didn't ask what that" was.
Where do you think he's taking us?"
"Baglad, if we don't die upon the
way"
4 don't think he'll kill u.s. 1t
wouldn't be worth his while"
you did not give him the rug"
Not r."
'It Genes hacd, Jones, l know, but
your giving it up viii save us both
many bud days. He asked you for it?"
'He did"
Then why the devil didn't you give
it to him? What's a thousand pounds
against this muddle?"
For the simple reason l didn't have
it to give ups"
Whats that"
when l went up to ms room, night
before last, some one had been SAare
ahead of me. And at first 1 had Civ
en- you the credit" said George, with
admirable frankness.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

Ryanne sank back, and George bun.
died him up snugly Poor devili
He'll pull himself together in the
morning" he said to Fortune. 81 did
not know that you knew him well.
81 have known him for eight or nine
years He used to visit my uncle at
our villa at Mentone." She smiled.
You look very odd"
mo odder than l feel" with inef-
fectual attempt to bring together the
ends of his collar-band. Il must be
sight. l was in too much of hurry
to get there. Did you eat the soup
and fish,"
"The soup, yes; but I'm afraid that
It will be some time before l can find
the dried fish palatable. l hope my
courage will not fail me" she added,
the first sign of anxiety she had
shown. She was very lonely, very
tired, very sad,
1t is quite possible that Mahomed,
coming over, spoiled a pretty scene;
for George had some very brave
words upon the tip of his tongue
Come" said Mahomed to Fortune
"You will sleep in the little tent No
one will disturb you"
Good night, Mr.. Jones. Don't wor
~; l am not afraid"
George was alone. He produced
one of his precious cigars and lighted
it. Then he drew over his feet one OF
the empty saddle-bags, wrapped his
blanket round him, and sat smoking
and thinking till the heat of the fire
replenished from time to time, filled
him with a comfortable drowsiness
and the cigar, still smoking, dropped
from his nerveless fingers, as he lay
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

name? And how might her presence
torture Ryanne? George felt weak
in that bitter moment. Ay, how might
not her presence torture him also?
He had never, for the briefest space,
thought of Ryanne and Fortune at the
same time. She spoke, alphabetically
it was true, as if she had known him
all her life. The wisest thing he could
do was to bring Ryanne to condition
where he could explain some parts Of
the enigma and be Of some use. Hor-
ace!
I'm going to have another try at
him." he said.
She nodded, but without any par
ticular enthusiasm.
George worked over Ryanne for the
better part of an hour, and finally the
battered man moved. He made an eff
fort to speak, but this time no sound
issued from his lips. At the end of
the hour he opened his eyes and
smiled 1t was more like the grin
of a boxer who had returned to the
contest after having been fioored half
a dozen times.
Can you hear me?" asked George.
Ryanne stared into his face. Eyes"
thickly where are WEI"
in the desert"
(Which one?"
Arabian"
Ryanne tried to sit up alone.
Better not try to move. They
banged you up at a great rate. Best
thing you can do is to go to sleep
You'll be all right in the morning"
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

And Mahomed will notify him of
our ARRIVAL" bitterly.
Isn't there some way we two
might get at Mahomed?"
Perhaps; but 1t will take time.
Don't bank upon money. Mahomed
wants his head. If the rug
But Ryanne stopped He looked be-
yond George, his face full of terror.
George turned to see what had pro-
duced this effect Fortune was com
ing out Of her tent. Fortune? My
God!" Ryanne's legs gave under and
he sank, his face in his hands. i
see it all now! Fool, fool! He's 60
ing to get me, Jones; he's going to get
me through her!"
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

become of her. Perhaps she would
be glad, glad 70 be rid of her and her
questions. Alonei Well, she had al
ways been alone.
The only ray of sunshine in all was
the presence of Jones. She felt,
subtly, that he would not only stand
between her and Mahomed, but also
between her and Ryanne.
"Hush!" whispered George. "Dou't
let her see you like this. She mustn't
know
"You don't understand" replied Ry-
anne miserably.
4 believe I do" Georges heart
was heavy. This man was in love
with her, too.
| Ryanne struck the tears from his
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25

"Gone!" There was no mistaking
the dismay in Ryannes voice
Absolutely"
We'll, be damn!" Ryanne threw
aside the blanket and got up. 1t was
painful movement, and he swayed
little. 'If Mahomed hasn't it, and
haven't it, and you haven't it, who
the devil has, them"
George shook his head.
Zones we are in for It. If that
cursed rug is Mahomed's salvation,
it is no less ours. If We ever reach
the palace Of Bagdad and that rug is
not forthcoming. we'll never see the
outside of the walls again"
Nonsense! There's an American
consul at Bagdad."
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25
CHAPTER XlII.-(contlnued.)

A good fire was started, and the fu-
cereal aspect of the oasis became
quick and cheerful. A little distance
from the blaze, George saw Fortune
bending over the inanima:e Ryanne.
She was bathing his face With wet
handkerchief. After a tire Ryanne
turned over and flung his arms Imply
across his face. 1t was tho first sign
Of life he had exhibited since the
start. Fortune gently pulled aside
his arms and continued her tender
mercies.
Can I help?" asked George.
You might rub his wrists" she
answered.
It seemed odd to him that they
should begin in such a 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 at
che 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 on
with his manipulatiOns.
els he badly hurt??"
= can't say"
His knowledge of anatomy was not
wide; still, Ryanne's arms and legs
worked satisfactorily. The trouble
was either in his head or back of his
-{h Il 50
shoulder and raised him Ryanne
mumbled some words. George bent
down to catch them. Hit 'em up in
shis half. boys; we've got them going.
Hell. Get of my head, you farmer!
Two cards, please" His
Eace puckered into what was intended
Tor a smile. George laid him back
r. utly. Football and poker: what
han. 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 Mabomed standing close
-Ay. Fits arms were folded and his
ace grmly inscrutable.
Have you any blankets?" asked
George coOlly.
Mahomed gave an order. A blanket
and two saddle-bags were thrown
down beside the unconscious man.
George made a pillow of the bags and
laid the blanket over Ryanne.
why do you waste your time over
aim?" asked Mahomed curiously.
Il would not let a dog die this way,
he retorted.
He would have let you die, ;" replied
Mahomed, turning upon his heel.
George stared thoughtfully at his
whilom accomplice. What did the
old villain insinuate?
Can l 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 away
with that Thank you"
You must eat when they bring you
eood...'
I'll try to-" smiling bravely.
To take her in his arms, then and
there, to appease their hunger and
dis hearts!
Seh-consciously, her hand stole to
her hair A color came into her
cheeks How frightful she must look!
Neither hafr-pin nor comb was left.
She threw the strands across her
shoulder and plucked the snarls and
5angles apart. then braided the whole.
he watched her. fascinated He had
lever seen a woman do this before.
It was almost a sacrilege for him to
De so near her st such a moment
Afterward she drew her blanket over
Ser shoulders.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-12-25
Mhen phlIosophl comes Easy.

A philosopher who died recently leN
a fortune of 100000, which, we
might say, accounts for the philosophl
calness of his philosophy.-Detro1
Free Press
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-16
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The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-16
NOTIONS OF ALL KINDS.

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Our stock IS OF the finest quality and certainly the lowest
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The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-30
MR.. TAFT ON PRESIDENT
ROOSEVELT

WE cannot see that the advocates Of
President Taft's denomination are doing
wisely in so virulently attacking Col.
Roosevelt. II is not only foolish politics
but wretched history. These gentlemen
might do we'll to remember that four
years ago Mr.. Taft built the strength Of
his canvass largely around Roosevelt.
and the record of his administration and
the policies which had made him the idol
OF the American peop.e. Mr.. Taft's
speech of acceptance, covering 2S printed
pages, made reference tWentysix time 8
to President Roosevelt and his policies.
Here is one such reference:-"He demon
strated by what he said, by what he re-
commended to Congress, by what he did.
the sincerity Of his efforts to command
respect for the law, to secure equality OF
all before the law, and to save the coun-
try from the dangers of a plutocratic
government toward which We were fast
tending
This is Mr.. Taft's estimate of what the
Roosevelt administration and the Roose-
welt policies were worth to the American
people. 1t might be well for these words
to be remembered by some of Mr.. Roose-
yelts present day critics.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-30
TO THE COUNTY AUTHORITIES

MEND the rOads-and MEND THEM
NOW Don't wait until next Summer or
Fall or some other time when the roads
time to put them in shape; stitch now
is worth nine hundred and ninety-ni
stitches later. Remember this is the
argument for the road engineer method
Of handling the roads. The advocates Of
that system claimed that the farmers
did not mend the roads at the right
time; but rather at their convenience;
when nothing else was calling for their
time and teams. Hence the law was en-
acted which provides or road engineer
and a supervisor in each district. Now,
we want to see If THEY will mend the
roads at the right time For the past
two years, with few exceptions, the road
engineer has mended them at the wrong
time or not at all. The people demand
an Improvement We have County Com
missioners, an Engineer and quite d
bunch of supervisors. The people have a
right to expect some results from such a
list of salared officiaIs and if they do
not get results they are going to be say
ing and doing a few things to somebody
mighty soon. The roads are, in most
places, just right for most effective and
economical repair, and THERE CAN BE
NO EXCUSE OFFERED IF THEY ARE
NOT REPAIRED. The people will &C
cept no excuse. THEY WANT RESULTS
AND WANT THEM QUICK. The au-
thorities would do well to get busy.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-30

Let the people rule" has always seemed
to us more or less shallow and dsma-
gogic. II the people do not rule, tn
blame rests largely at their own door. Ii
Is and always has been in their power to
rule. II they stay away from primaries
and general elections, II they are too nice
to mix in politics." II they turn things
over to the professional politicians, then
of course, they do not rule-but by their
own default. The remedy ror the whole
condition of things is not to be found, In
new methods and measures, but in the
peoples conscientious assumption OF the
responsibilities of citi enship, in their
realizing the fact that popular govern
ment to be successful must be particle
pated in by the whole body polite, In
every mans feeling the obligation that
rests upon him to do his duty as part
of the machinery of Governmental the
polls and everywhere else.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-30
PERRYVILLE

Mrs. Dr. L. G. Taylor is spending few
days in Syracuse, N. Y.
Mr.. Charles Fadeley and Mr.. Thomas
Cole were in Philadelphia this week.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Rutter and son,
Milfred, spent Monday last in Philadel-
phia.
Mrs. George Pyle entertained the Lad
les Art Circle on Wednesday afternoon.
Mrs. NJ. E. Cole spent Friday of last
week in Baltimore.
Mrs. Burke Little and son, Burke, OF
Baltimore, are spending some time with
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. NJ. d. Craig.
Miss Emma Wilson has returned to
Wilmington after spending several days
with Miss Eli -abeth Donahoo.
Apache Tribe No. 40, Imp. Order of
Red Men, of Perryville, will meet in the
Jr. o. U. A. M. Hall, Sunday evening, at
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-30
NO MORE OF THAT

WE have been particularly careful to
editorial direction of the Cecil Demo-
crat, but it's utterance of last week on
the Lincoln Memorial Highway was 80
anna ing, we are compelled to say 80 dis
gushing. that some one ought to kindly,
but firmly, instruct the Cecil Democrat
as to the responsibilities of a newspaper
in the matter of It's utterances The in
telligence of a community should not be
insulted by such stuff as appeared in the
editorial referred to. Remembering how
the name of Abraham Lincoln is cherish
ed and honored by the South and North
alike, remembering the loving tributes
almost daily paid to his great, patient,
tender heart by admiring Confederate
heroes, we fail to see how boulevard
from Washington to Gettysburg is "go-
ing to open the wounds of the war upon
fact the people who indulge In this
cheap twaddle are mostly the people
who have been the least identified in any
way whatever with the struggling South
or its cause The REAL South has long
ago reali ed with content and much Joy
that there ARE no wounds to be opened,
that the healing of the Nation has been
most happily consummated, and that no
thing contributed more to that healing
than the great heart and wise head Of
Abraham Lincoln. TO insult his name,
in such language as the Democrat uses
in its editorial, is not only to outrage
the feelings of our people, but is to show
such lamentable Ignorance of history,
such a complete failure to appreciate,
Lincoln's high place in the Nations life,
as units one for public utterance. We
shall be glad to avoid controversy with
the Cecil Democrat, under it's present
management, but we say again, kindly
but very firmly, it MUST learn the re-
sponsibility which attaches to public ut
terance.