The Mena weekly star., 1913-07-24
By HAROLD MdcGRATH
Copyright 1911 by Bobbs-Merlll Co., (Continued from last issue)
CHAPTER XIX.
Fortune Decides.


 George and Fortune were seated at breakfast. It was early morning. At ten thev were to depart for Jaffa, to take the tubby French packet there to Alexandria. They could just about make it, and any delay meant a week or ten days longer upon this ragged and inhospitable coast.
 "Rvanne has probably overslept, After breakfast I'll go and rout him out. The one thing that really ticklea me" George continued, as he pared the tough rind from the skinny bacon, Is. we shan't have any luggage. Think of the blessing of travelling without a trunk or a vallse or a steamer.roll!"
 without even comb or hair brush!"
 Its great fun" George broke his toast.
 And Fortune wondered how she could tell him. She was without any toilet articles. She hadn't even a toothbrush; and 1t was quite out of the question for her to bother him about trifles, much as she needed them. She would have to live in the clothes she wore, and trust that the ships stewardess might help her out in the absolute necessities.
 Here the head-waiter brought George a letter. The address was enough for George. No one but By anne could have written it. Without excusing himself, he ripped off the envelope and read the contents. For tune could not resist watching him, for she grasped quickly that only Ryanne could have written a letter here in Damascus. At first the tan upon Georges cheeks darkened-the sudden effusion of blood; then it be- came lighter, and the mouth and eyes and nose became stern.
 "Is 1t bad news?"
 "It all depends upon how you look at 1t. For my part. good riddance to bad rubbish. Here, read it yourself" She read
 My Dear Percival: After all, I find that I can not reconcile myself to the dullness of your olive-groves. I shall send the five hundred to you when I reach New York. With me it is as 1t was with the tevil. When he was sick, he vowed he would be a saint; but when he got well. devil a saint was he. There used to be 6 rhyme about 1t, but I have forgotten that. Anyhow, there you are. l feel that I am conceding a point in regard to the money. It Is contrary to the laws and bylaws of the United Romance and Adventure Company to refund. Still, intend to hold myself to 1t.
 With hale affection.
 "RYANNE."
 What do you think of that?" de- manded George hotly. 'I never did good action in my life that wasn't served ill. I'm a soft duffer, if there ever was one"
 q shall never be ungrateful for your kindness to me-"
 "Oh, hang it! You're different; you're not like any other woman in the world" he blurted; and immedi- ately was seized with a mild species of fright.
 Fortune stirred her coffee and deli cately scooped up the swirling circles of foam.
 "Old maids call that money" he said understandingly, eager to cover up his boldness. My mother used to tell me that there were lots of wonders in a tea-cup."
 Tell me about your mother"
 To him it was a theme never lack ing in new expressions. When he spoke of his mother, 1t altered the clear and boylsh note in his voice; 1t became subdued, reverent He would never be aught than guileless; It was not in his nature to divine anything save his own impulses. While he thought he was pleasing her each tender recollection, each praise, was in fact a nail added to her crucifixion, imposed. However, she never lowered her eyes, but kept them bravely dlrected into him. Tn the midst Of one of his panegyrics he caught Sight of his watch which he had paced at the side of his plate.
 By love! quarter to nine. I've got an errand or two to do, and there's no need of your running your rect of on my account. I'll be back quarter after" He dug into his pocket and counted out fifty pounds m paper and gold. You keep this ull ] get back"
 She pushed it aside, half rising rom her chair.
 fortune, listen. Hereafter I am George your brother George; and uo not want you ever to question any aouon of mine. l am leaving this 'oney in case some accident befell me- You never can tell" He took ner hand and firmly pressed it down upon the money. "n half an hour. s,S'er' I'll be back. You did not think
 No"
 10 you understand now?"
 Yes"
 while he was gone she remained ea'ed at the table, She made little ~ %Iaialds of the gold, divided the even e a@'es rom the odd. arranged Maltese DsVsses and circles and stars. s. ny pltyl We'll. why should she re- Dei against it? Was it not more than s he mad had hitherto? What should ae uoY She closed her eyes. She "ouiu trouble her tired brain no more