The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-18
By w. Douglas Newton

one friendly soul In all that valley
the only one. He knew 1t and cursed
himself for knowing 1t.
The force was retiring in the i'm.
perturbable manner OF British forces.
The cracking carbines beat coldly
contemptuous defiance into the over
excited, over.eiated mass of Afghans
and gratis. The volleys were level,
like sober words of command. The
British were retiring, but they were
using their own method of retire.
ment. They were going to be wiped
out, but they were going to be wiped
out with the dignity and circum.
stance of great nation.
The man on the roof glowed at the
splendid yalor Of It. His softness,
his appetite for luxury. ease, inertia,
soft and sensual living fought that
kindhng glow. He ought to warn
that force, he alone could, and it
would be easy-he had only to climb
on to one OF his fast horses below,
and the thing was done.
But 'it's too much" he muttered,
too much. It'll mean my death.
The Afghans will kill me. It'll be
the end of all this, all that love
Naida-my happiness here-all."
He wept little again. Too much
was being put on him. 1t was not
fair.
The cavalry and guns below him
went back steadily. There was no
doubt about 1t, to his mind. They
were making for the gorge by the
village Of Deh--Mazang, and making
for death.
The jewel-hilted dagger fell from
fold OF his silken robe and clat-
tered to the hard surface of the roof
The two women turned and stared at
the man.
Last nights orgy had weakened
him. He took a step forward, his
knees Stacked under him. and he
nearly fell. He stood still. rocking
gently, trying to command his
haccid muscles to order. He looked.
blinking, at the two women. They
stared with their bright, unwinking
eyes at him. He thought, duly, how
bright and sloe-like those big eyes
We're. how full Of gem-like lustre;
and, like a gem. how hard and cruel
they might be.
He made another step forward and
stood trembling. He was not vet
master of his limbs. The younger.
the more exquisite Of the women.
came forward to him with a flowing
movement as exquisite as herself.
CAN" she said this name had been
John), "Jan, what troubles thee?"
He blinked at her as he stood
swaying. He told himself that he
would have to be very crafty with
Nadia II she guessed she would
stop him, and the British would be
massacred. He adopted the harsh
tone of a Mohamedan addressing
his womankind.
out OF my way, woman" he said,
thickly. 81 go into the house"
The woman smiled at him, smiled
with her lips, but notwith her bright,
Keen eyes. She was a tall woman
and beautiful one. She had 1.-the
and Psyche-like grace. Her robes
chung about her, exhibiting the splen.
dor of her slim and flowing lines,
the firmness, the flexible vigor of
her plant and budding sexhood.
The flesh Of her fragrant bare arms,
OF her warm. rich throat, of her deli.
cate face, was OF the texture of satin.
It was soft, redolent. glowing with
the warm blood Of splendid health
and splendid youth, beneath the
glow of her warm russell skin. Her
features were sensitive. quick and
fragile. They were as enchanting as
things of porcelain. They were full
Of the sleepy arrogance. the pas.
sionate yet reticent allure of the
high-bred Jewish type. Her eyes be-
meath the Tong. curved lashes were
deep wells of sloe-bIack mystery:
her mouth was soft and very red.
An Intoxicating and exquisite
woman. The Englishman's will be.
came fluid before this exotic beauty.
He'd have to give up Nadia If he
went down to the British. He'd
never see her again. 1t was asking
too much-too much.
The yolley firing that had been
quiet for some moments smashed
out again. He pulled himself to-
gether. No, there were moments
when a man must not weaken before
women-moments when he must rise
above love. He took another step
forward
II go below. Out of my way"
his thick voice muttered.
The woman stepped up to him.
Her arm went about his shoulder
The subtle perfume of her garments