Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-03-27
CHAPTER XVII.


ancient city OF Damascus. mat part
OF the caravan deserted by Mahomed
put out for Cairo Immediately they
struck the regular camelway. For
tune. George and Ryanne were In
pitiable condition. heart and body
weary. IN rage and tatters. George,
now TINT the haven was assured.
dropped his forced buoyancy. his pratt
tie. his tests He had done all NOR
tai man could 20 keep up the spirits
Of HIS co-unfortunates. and he saw
that. most OF the time. he bad wasted
his talents. Ryanne. sullen and mo-
rose. often told him 20 shut up;
which wasn't celebrating. And For
tune viewed his attempts without
( sensing them and frequently looked at
him without seeing him. Now, all this
/ was not particularly comforting 20 the
man who loved her and was doing
\ what ne could 70 tighten the dreari-
/ ness OF tho journey. re made allow
z anocs. however: besides suffering IN /
usual urivations. Fortune had had a .
frirhtful mental shock. A girl Of her .
dcnth Of character could not be eN- F.
poctod % rise Immediately 20 tho old
level. Sometimes, while gathered
about the evening fire. nc would look
up 90 find her sad eyes staring at him.
and Il mattered not n he stared I'm re-
turn: n kind Of ciairvOyance blurred
visibIlides 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 tho
same tale twice OF an evening. Sar-
donic laughter from Ryanne.
Ackermann had given them up as
hopeless. He was a strong, vain. dom
, ineering man, kindly az heart, how
ever. but impatient. When be told a
= story. he demanded the attention OF
, all: so. when Ryanne yawnod before
his eyes, and George drew pictures In
=, tho sand. and the girl fell asleep with
her head upon her knees. he drew
? of abruptly and left them 90 their
own devices. He had crossed and re
= crossed tho sflences so often that he
was no longer capable Of Judging &C
h. curnteIy another mans mental pro
cesses. That they had had strange
- and numbing experience he readily
understood: but now that they were
o, out OF durcss and headed for the
p. coast. he saw no reason why they
should not act like human beings.
They still put up the sman tent foi
"a Fortune. but the rest OF them SLEPT
upon tho sand. under the stars. Once
George awoke as tho dawn was gid
ing the east. Silhouetted against tn
a. sky he saw Fortune. She was stand
.ir ing straight, her hands pressed at he
sides. her head tilted back-a tens
". attitude. He did not know Il, bu
ch she was asking God why these thing
should be. He threw OF his blanke
ed and ran to her.
he Fortune. you mustn't do that. 70
I'd Will catch cold"
or II cannot sleep" she said simpl.
nd he took her by the hand and le
'ut her 20 the tent. "Try." he said. The
Sc be did something he had never don
cd before 20 any woman save his mothe
m He kissed her hand. turned Quickl
cut and went over 20 his blanket. 81
no | remained motionIoss before the ten
tul The hand fascinated her. From q
the hand her gaze travelled 70 the me
les. settling himself comfortably under b
us. blanket. Pity. pity tn
I'm. was ever to be her portion; pityl
'en In Damascus the trio present.
eo- themselves at the one decent hOt'
aes and but for Ackermann's charges up.
InS the manager. IL is doubtful II he Won
0ou have accepted them as guests; for
MO more suspicious-looking trio be b
never set eyes upon. "a hotel M
al weighs a person by the quality of
clothes.) Moreover. they carried
L
's. and knowing something OF the int
us rity OF the rug-hunter, the manag
u surrendered. And when George p
ion' scented his letter OF credit at the !
1s'o perial Ottoman Bank. again It v
slie Ackermann who vouched for him.
-, had been agreed 10 say nothing of I
i-''N character OF their adventure. Nc
She OF them wanted 70 DO followed by
sVer rious eyes.
love With handful OF British gold IN
bar pocket, George faced the future no
and fully He took his companions
ould and about town. hunting the shops
'hilo clothing, which after various difiS
tnas ties they succeeded In finding. Il '
Tie m-fitting and cheap. but It would Sc
sne' till they reached Alexandria or Nap
AZ ''How are you hxed?" asked
anne. gloonily surveying GeorE
the shOddy cottonwood suit
re- Cash IN handf"