Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-13

ON a great gilt chair, sat one who was
evidently their chief. man in the very
prime Of l.fe. The group behind his chair
was regarding her with no less curiosity.
The attention of the multitude among the
tents had been attracted to the new ar
rivals and many inquiSitive onlookers
more women than men, were beginning TO
gather about the boundaries of the area
sacred to their emir and his officers
That dignitary got hastily up and came
forward. He was tall and stalwart on
foot, a fine figure of a man even In MS
loose, shapeless garments. with a bronzed.
hook-nosed, handsome face of his own, d
heavy mustache. the broOding. patient,
predatory eyes of desert vulture. And
as he confronted Capt. Dove, over whom
he seemed to tower threateningly, the
hood of the selham slipped on to his
shoulders, disclosing flaming shock or
red hair.
AT last" he said, after long time. In
the difficult voice of one amazed almost
beyond words. The muscles of his lean
brown face were working v1slbiy. his
eyes had become inhamed, his fingers
were twitching.
at last.' he said. again. as if finally
convinced in spite of himself. and licked
his lips.
But Capt. Dove met his wickedest
glance unwinkingiy. and made him no
answer at all.
For moment longer they two stood
gazing thus at each other, the onlookers
silent and still. And then the big man s
bla zing eyes shifted to the face of the
girl at Capt. Doves elbow. Sallie.s veil
had slipped to her chin, but she had been
unconscious of that till then. She pulled
it up across the bridge of her nose again
hastily. The red-haired emir's scowl had
relaxed: he was scanning her with very
different expression to that he had shown
Capt. Dove. but one which alarmed her
no less.
He turned to the group behind him and,
at a word, it melted away. The onlook-
ers in the distance also went about their
own business again. A black siave-poy
came staggering forward with a heavy
chair and set that down side by side
with the other there. Capt. Dove seated
himself at once. without ceremony:
The emir, biting his lip, followed suit.
and sat for time sunk in his own re-
Elections. He seemed to have mastered
for the moment his first almost over
whelming impulse at sight of that ven
erable-looking adventurer. and had evil
IDENTIFY some other and much more pleas
ant idea in his mind.
That's a housekeeping filly you've
brought with YOU said he, at length. in
a puzzled tone. and glanced around at
Sallie again. She was standing at capt.
Doves other shoulder, her head bent, her
hands clasped before her. in helpless, pa
tient suspense. Capt. Dove had srufty
informed her, before they had left the
ship. that she would be perfectly safe In
his company, but even his own SAFETY
seemed to be hanging on a slender thread.
81 wonder now the emir went on, IL
it's to seek trade that you've come ashore
here again-after all these years" His
face once more darkened as il over some
recollection that ranked sorely. but
which he was doing his best TO dismiss
from his thoughts In the meantime.
I've some trifles in hand that might
interest you if. it's trade you're after,
said he speaking amicably with an eff
fort, such truck as gold dust and jewels
and silk-and ivory, too. galore.
The black boy had come back with an
unwieldy tray of a dull yellow metal on
which were set two cool. moist. earthen-
ware chattieS and couple OF uncouth
drinking cups Capt Dove. with unerring
instinct laid his hand on the fiagon
which held strong drink, poured out for
himself q liberal helping of the sticky
magia ii contained and swallowed that off
without word. After the emir had also
helped himself the boy would have car
ried the tray away, but Capt. Dove babe
him set It down, and dealt him an in
dignant cuff, so that he fled empty-hand-
ed. with an anguished yelp.
call that 1 came ashore to this God-for-
saken hole. Parrish" the old man at last
remarked. with uncompromising frank
ness 1.-The fact of the matter is-Im in
a bit Of bog just now. And I've come
to get you to give me hand out of it
if your price isn't too high for me to
pay.
(To be continued tomorrow