Meade County news., 1915-02-11

WIZ are dlulObL strangers.
"Strangers?" He laughed softly
Has it never occurred to you that the
people we grow up with are never
really our friends; that real friendship
comes only with maturity Of the mind
Why, the best man friend have in
this world is young chap met but
three years ago. 1t is not the know.
ing of people that makes friendships
1t is the sharing of dangers, of bread
in the Wilderness; of getting a glimpse
OF the soul which lies beneath the con.
ventions of the social pact. Would
you call me stranger?"
| %, no." she cried swiftly. 1T is
merely that do not want you to risk
your life any further for us. Is there
no way / can dissuade you?" {
None that l can think of. 1 am
going back with you. That's settled.
Now let US talk of something else.
Don't you really want me to go?"
SAh. that isn't fair" looking out to
seq again and following the lights
aboard the Simla
1t was mighty hard for him not to
sweep her into his arms then and
there. But he would never be sure of
her till she was free of this country,
free of the sense of gratitude, free to
weigh her sentiments carefully and un-
biasedly. He sat down abruptly on
the wreck Of an ancient hull embed.
ded in the sand. She sank down lit.
tie way from him.
He began to tell her some of his
past exploits; the Amazon, the ORR
noco, the Andes, Tibet and China; of
the strange dotsam and jetsam he had
met in his travels. But she sensed
only the sound of his voice and the de-
sire to reach out her hand and touch
his. Friendship! Bread in the wilder.
ness!
Ahmed was lean and deceptive to
the eye. Like many Hindus, he ap-
peared anemic; and yet the burdens
the man could put on his back and
carry almost indefinitely would have
killed many white man who boasted
OF his strength. On half loaf of
black bread and soldiers canteen of
water he could travel for two days,
He could go without sleep for 4S hours,
and when he slept he could sleep any
where, ON the moment
Filling his saddle bags with three
days rations, two canteens Of water,
he set off on hagin, or racing camel.
for Allaha, 200 miles inland as the
crow flies. 1t was his intention to
ride straight down to the desert and
across this to Colonel Hare's camp, If
such thing now existed. A dromedary
in good condition can make from sixty
to eighty miles day; and the beast
Ahmed had engaged was Of Arab
blood. In four days he expected to
reach the camp If Winnie had not
yet arrived, he would take the road,
meet her, warn her of the dangers
which she was about to face, and con-
vey her to the seaport. II it was too |
late, he would send the camel back |
with trusted messenger to the colo.
mel, to advise him.
They watched him depart in cloud |
Of dust, and then played the most en-
ervating game in existence-that of
for they had decided to wait
till they heard from Ahmed before
they moved.
Four nights later, when Ahmed ar
rived at the bungalow, he found condi-
lions as usual. For reasons best known
% himself Umballa had not disturbed
In fact, he had always had
he coming of the younger sister in
mind and left the bungalow and camp
so as not to alarm her.
She had not yet arrived. So Ahmed
lung himself down upon his cotton
'ug, telling the keepers not to disturb
lin; he would wake himself when the
ime came. But Ahmed had overrated
lis powers; he was getting along in
ears; and 1t was noon of the next day
When hand shook him by the shoul-
ler and he awoke to witness the ar
ival of Winnie and her woman CON- 10
,anion.
For the first time in many years
mined cursed his prophet. He that
lad had time to warn the child had
lept like the sloth Of Ceylon!
He went directly to the point. He
old her briefly what had happened.
Ie had not the least doubt that Um-
ALA was already aware Of her ar
ival. She must remain hidden in the
o-down of the bungalow; her maid
lso. That night, If Umballa or his
1en failed to appear, he would lead
er off to safety. But there was no
ope of stealing away in the daytime.
n his heart, however, he entertained
O hope; and like the good general he
,as, he dispatched the messenger and
amel to the sea. The father and
aughter were fated to return.
Ahmed had reckoned shrewdly. Um-
ALA appeared later in the day and de-
handed the daughter Of Colonel Hare.
lacked as he was by numerous sol
iers, Ahmed resigned himself to the
,evitable. They found Winnie and he's
laid (whom later they sent to the
-ontier and abandonedD and took
hem to the palace.