The Lamar register., 1916-03-15

was so real that now the crystal it.
self had vanished. She seemed to be
standing among the tents, stretching
out her arms and calling him. Once
he looked up in her direction; then
he smiled and went on writing. She
could see the letter. It was addressed
to her, and the date WAS January IT.
1t was that dayl
Gradually q sense of something
ominous stole over her. The air was
growing dark. A sandstorm from the
distant desert was sweeping down.
The scrub thorns rocked. the camels
shifted uneasily upon the lines. And
suddenly she saw soldiers running to-
gether. their rifles in their hands.
Her husband sprang from the tent
and took his place at their side. She
then, with exultant yells that rang
in her ears. she saw the savage army
burst through the scrub. spears in
their hands. and rush the lines.
Instantly was inextricable confusion.
The savage forces, the grim defenders
disappeared in q cloud OF dust. Now
and then there would emerge from 1t
a stabbing blade. or the muzzle OF a
reeking gun. Belle held her breath.
She wanted to cry out, but she was
held. fascinated.
Suddenly she saw the major quite
close to her. Sword in hand, he was
hacking his way into the heart of
the wild throng about him. He was
isolated from his men. Bodies. cloven
by the blade. rolled this way and that.
Spears flashed on every side OF him.
Then. with a rush, company OF
fresh troops came up. The scene
grew clear. The Moslems. forced
back. suddenly broke and fed, the
guns pouring shell into their ranks.
But. as her husbands men came up to
him she saw an enormous tribesman
dash the sword from his hand and
poise his spear at the majors throat.
In another instant he would be dead
The dream vision was dissolved.
With a wild cry Belle struck the saw
age with her fist between the eyes.
She saw him reel and she
looked up into the Arabs face.
The curtains had been drawn back,
the dragoman was waiting outside. 1t
had all been an abominable dream.
then!
What happened?" she cried to the
Arab. Il must see II again
There is no more" said the Arab.
Il must, tell you'll"
The Arab placed the crystal in her
hands again. She sat down, she looked
only into the clear surface.
1T is never given twice." said the
Arab. Another day. perhaps. Ten
piastres. Madame"
She paid the money and went home
with a sinking heart She had no
doubt that her husband was dead. And
for dreary days she waited. feeling
herself already = widow.
Twelve days later a letter came. 1t
was from him. The letter that he
had been writing in the tent. She
opened It helplessly and read:
Il was interrupted in this by an
attack on the part Of our tribal friends.
dearest. so | am beginning all over
again" Then followed some gossip.
And now there is wonderful news.
The tribe has submitted, and already
we are on the way home. When we
meet l shall have lots to tell you.
Il had a narrow squeak in yester-
days fight One OF the ruffians got
me by the throat and his spear was
within an inch OF my eyes when the
strangest thing happened. He let It
FaNN -
he had received a blow in the face.
We captured him. and an hour later
his eyes were all swollen and discol-
ored. | questioned him. and all we
could get out OF him was that a wom-
ans spirit had bowled him over with
a stir left-hander."