Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-08-06
The Carpet
From Bagdad

Ryanne stared at the yellow desert
beyond. His brain was clearing rap
idly under the stimulus Of thought.
He himself did not believe that they
would send out search-parties either
for him OF for Fortune. He could not
fathom what had given Fortune her
belief; but he realized that his own
was based upon the recollection OF
that savage mood when he had thrown
down the gauntlet. Now they would
accept It. He had run away with For
tune as he had boldly threatened to
do. The mother and her precious
brother would proceed at once to New
York without him. He had made a
fine middle Of 1t all. But for glass
of wine and grain too much Of con-
hdence, he had not been here this day.
Mahomed. himself astir by this
time, came over to the group, leisure
ly. The three looked like conspira-
tors to his suspicious eye, but unlike
conspirators they made no effort to
separate because he approached. He
understood: as yet they were not
afraid Of him. That was one Of the
reasons he hated white men: they
could seldom be forced to show fear,
even when they possessed it. Well,
these three should know what fear
was before they saw the last Of him.
He carried a KURDISH. cowhide whip,
which he twirled idly. even sugges-
lively. First, he came to George.
"If you have Yhiordes, there Is still
O Glance for you. Cairo is but fifty
miles away. Bagdad is several hun
dred" He drew the whip caressingly
through his fingers.
81 do not lie," replied George. tru-
cu1eat sparkle in his eyes. II told
you that I had It not. 1t was the
truth"
A ripple Of anxiety passed over Ma
homed's face. "And you?" turning
upon Ryanne, with suppressed savage
ness. How he longed to lay the lash
upon the GcG:
Don't lot (! me-" answered Ry-
anne was,..:=:,::,::'. .sG j had 1t 1 should
not re hc 20 -, ,cr b,t OF his old
strength! Y: would have strangled
Mahomed Z n -! there. But the
drug and tie beating had weakened
him terribly.
eff I give you the rug" interposed
Fortune, will you promise freedom
to US all?"
NJ; homed stepped back, nonplussed.
He hadn't expected any Information
from this quarter.
81 have the rug" declared Fortune
calmly, though she could scarcely
hear her own voice, her heart beat
80 furiously.
"You have it?" Mahomed was con-
fused. Here was turn in the road
upon which he had set no calculation.
All three of them!
eyes. And upon condition that you
iiberate us all, l will put 1t into your
hands. But 1t must be my writing
this time"
A white man would have blushed
undo: the reproach Of her look. Ma
homad smiled amiably, pleased over
his cleverness. Where is the kis'
weh:"
"I'he kisweh?'
"The Holy Yhiordes. Where is it?'
"Ihat I refuse to tell you. Your
word Of honor first, to bind the bar
gain"
Ryanne laughed. 1t acted upon Ma
homed like a goad. He raised the
whip, and had Ryanne's gaze swerVed
the part of an inch, the blow would
have fallen.
"You laugh?" snarled Mahomed.
"Why, yes. A bargain with your
homer makes me laugh"
"And your honor?" returned Ma
homed fiercely. He wondered why he
held his hand. 81 have matched trick
cry against trickery. My honor has
not been called. I fed you, l gave
you drink; in return you lied to me
dishonored me in the eyes OF my
friends, and one Of them you killed
at was my life or his" exclaimed
Ryanne, not relishing the recital OF
this phase. "It was my life or his
and he was upon my back"
Fortune shuddered. Presently she
laid her hand upon Mahomed's arm
"Would you take my word of honor?
Mahomed sought her eyes. Yes