The Mena weekly star., 1916-05-11

"Ah, it's you. Goetz! One man is sufficient here Have you anyone you can trust?''
 Stand forward-No. 40O5r
 There was a brief silence Arnaud rested his chin in his hand and stared down at the man drawn up stifiy be- fore him. The other hand lay clenched on his knee, and the knuckles stood out white
 You heard-No. 40057 You will keep guard alone here"
 Yes"
 ''It Is well. Drive on."
 Again the soft clash of steel. Ar maud dropped back in his corner The light fell on hls face for a moment, and Gabrielle Smith saw that he was smil- ing watchfully at the woman beside her. Sylvia had not moved. She had not even glanced in his direction or at the man to whom he had spoken. Her lips were still parted in the childish expression of wondering anticipation. and her eyes glistened. Arnaud laughed and turned away from her.
 A moment later they passed out of the somber shadows into the light. from the unfathomable eastern hush into the babble and movement of the West. InstInctively Gabrielle glanced back for a moment. It was as though she had been lifted suddenly out of black, mysterious sea on to fairy island, and that against the haze of light she could hear the waves beating in sullen threatening disappointment. When she turned again she found that Sylvia had already vanished into the crowd. and that she was alone with Arnaud, He glanced down at her. Over his pale features there passed shadow of pity and annoyance.
 q am afraid my wife is not always very considerate," he said apologet- cally. You scarcely know any of these people"
 q know one or two" she answered. "In any case like to look on. You are not to bother about me. can take care of myself"
 "Yes, you can take care of yourself" He nodded moodily. There are not many of us who can do that much. Miss Smith. We pretend that we hold the reins, but it is the devil who drives"
 "Yes," she admitted, tour particular devil"
 Do you know that7 How do you know2"
 "Perhaps I have been into the ditch myself, Captain Arnaud. Perhaps and then she looked him full into the face-'p perhaps tonight has taught me" and then, before he could answer she turned from him and passed out reso- lutely on to the veranda.
 He did not follow her beyond the first step. A man in civilian dress had come out of lowered alcove, and as he saw his face Arnaud drew back with white lips. The stranger ap- peared not to notice him. He limped out on the veranda, his uneven step curiousIy noiseless.
  resting on the balustrade, her face lift ed to the sky. already silvered with the first blush of the rising moon. All was quiet The band had ceased play ing; the voices behind them had sunk to a vague murmur
 Gabrielle" the man said, scarcely above his breath. and then louder, with a note of impulslve Interrogation, Ga briellel''
 She turned and looked at him. and neither spoke Whatever surprise or consternation there had been in her face had vanished. Her eyes met his haggard, bewildered appeal steadily and sadly. Then she made slight gesture-a gesture which seemed to h. dlcate an immeasurabIe distance-and passed down the steps into the dark ness.
 No. 4OO5 shouldered his rife and re- sumed the monotonous tramp back warG and forward across the narrow entrance to the grove. He moved rap idly and from time to time glanced about him with the straining vigilance of man who suspects his loneliness
 southward lay open country, silver stretch broken by dark ridge of sand hills and clump of high palms rising in majestic solitude from the hidden green of their oasis. To the north sidi- hel. Abbes. beneath the magic moon ,-------------------------- csn-zHsr&rFsC