The Mena weekly star., 1916-05-11

light a white-waIled city of enchant. ments, dreamed while her minarets kept ceaseiess watch over the distant desert.
 Richard Farquhar listened: he heard subdued laughter and then the soft fall of a woman's feet. For all the haunt ing realization of danger he did no. turn. He had not been conscious q hope but hope. wild and unreasonine sprang out of nothing and drummed the mad blood into his ears.
 Mir. Farquhar"
 He turned and the butt end ef his rife jared against the stones. She stood few paces from him in mar row clearing where the moonlight fell upon her, and he saw every feature of the small face, every phase of Der ex- pression changing from a curious mock cry to grave concern. He bit his teeth together.
 Why did you comeT' he asked. Was it really for the pleasure of my society,""
 T knew that you were in some dan ger tonight, Mir Farquhar."
 Her face was turned away now. When she spoke, after moments si. lence, her voice had deepened with an unknown emotion.
 "Mr. Farquhar," she said, Tit was A woman's loving fear for you which brought me here"
 Thank you he said simply.
 He turned away from her. The mo- mentary weakness was over. The gaunt features under the military cap were composed and resolute. Close at hand was movement, the crunching of the sandy soil under a sharp quick tread, and lnstinctiveIy his hand slipped to his bayonet
 T ask you to go now" he said in an imperative undertone You have done what you could. It was brave and good of you, but to remain Is sheer folly. am practically unarmed. We aren't trusted with cartridges, and if anything happens"
 "I choose to be foolish" she inter rupted coolly.
 He made a movement of protest aud appeal, but it was already too late. A shadow loosened itself from the dark ness and came out into the clearing, Farquhar's rife sank to the ground. The moon was at her zenith. In the brilliant yet deceptive light the new. conner loomed out gigantic, super natural.
 "A sentry on duty?" he said ironical- ly, looking from one to the other. "A pleasant relaxation from discipline, by my faith. Your number and regiment sfr7r
 "4005, of the First my colonel"
 'One of my own particular heroes We have already met, fancy. Report yourself tomorrow to your captain. For the present perhaps you will conde scend to resume your duties. Mademoi selle may I not have the pleasure of bringing you back to your friends?
 He offered her his arm, his hard mouth twisted with contempsaous amusement She had risen and stood beside him, shaken by sudden trou ble. He looked at her keenly.
 ''If you are sorry, mademolselle, will you do something for me7 want yol to go back and find Madame Arnaud Ask her to speak to me for few min utes shall be outside. Tell her concerns her husbands proposed ex change. She will understand. would go myself, but my condition forbidl it."
 Gabrielle glanced at him and saw that he was in undress, and that his uniform was stained with dust.
 Colonel Destinn,' she said slowly ''the man you have just punished fol speaking to me is my one friend w brushed shoulders. as 1t were, months ago, when three flights of stairs sep arated us-materially and socially Now by chance we have met again or the same level. Birds of a feather, you know, Colonel Destinn. too, an something of scaIawag, and the only virtue Of the species is a certain Joy alty to their kind. I am here to keeI guard"
 Keep guard?' he echoed, half pug zled. half amused.
 He has an enemy"
 "Aad you are here as a sort of deus ex machina? Name of heaven, a friend of metal! Give me the name of this evilly intentioned persony"
 ''That | cannot do, Colonel Destinn But I will make a bargain with you If you will forget tonight's delin quencies and will take my place unti I return, I will go on your errand Otherwise stay here"
 He was silent moment, his hand al his mustache; then he looked at her with a curious smile.
 "You are an unusual little woman mademoiselle." He seated himself on the root of the tree. and drawing out his watch held 1t to the light. T give you ten minutes" he added.
 "In ten minutes shall have re turned" she answered.
 "0ne thing more. do not wish any one to know of my presence here. Ii would cause comment The matter is between Madame Arnaud and myself You understand
 "Yes--1 understand7 she assented slowly.
 At bend in the avenue she glanced back for moment searching the dark ness. Colonel Destinn's somberly clad frnra WIS hiddan in the black ont.