The Mena weekly star., 1916-07-13

ldu ike OOy, WdFlnS SAhVhIng, use less rifle, shouting madly, while Goetz thundered at his side It was two to one. exhausted infantry against cavalry in full course. But the mir acle had been performed. The incal- culable element in all battle, the su- persttion of mems hearts. had fallen In the scale The whirlwind died down Within few feet of their fallen leader the heroic Arab host fal- tered. broke and fled.
 They picked up Farquhar from be- meath the dead body of his opponent. and as his eyes opened they rested on Destinn's face. The elder man knelt down and touched his hand almost tenderly. ~~.ss-~--..
 That was a good fight" he said in English. We've won. Ali-Mahomed is dead. You've saved a lot of trouble for us all. am proud of you"
 Thanks. sir. am glad you're sat lsfied"
 They looked at each other. Behind their careless. indifferent composure there had rung a note of emotion which even now was not wholly si. lent, though both men. lost for a brief space fir recollection, had regained their hold upon the present. Farquhar rose slowly to his feet. Keep Colonel Destinn under guard" he said. Where Is Captain Arnaudw
 Destinn shrugged his shoulders. smiling.
 Farquhar lurched forward. He stood for moment within arms length swaying or his heels. When he spoke it was in an undertone and in English.
 We are fellow countrymen. Colonel Destinn," he said "Whatever else has happened or may happen. we have fought together shoulder to shoulder ask favor of you. Make it pos sible fer me to keep my promise to these poor fellows"
 ''Ts that in my power?" was the quiet return.
 You cannot shoot a hundred men. You cannot send the last remnant of your regiment to the penal battalions. You need a ringleader and one exem- plary punishment. I am the ring leader"
 Tt matters very little to me-" he said. T consent to your conditions. It is for you to manage your men as best you can"
 'Of that you need have no fear
 You speak with authority. What vagabond gang did you lead in White chapel. my countryman?"
 Again the faint, irrepressible note of uneasiness quivered beneath the irony. Farquhar laughed
 The finest gang of daredevils In the world my colonel" he said. Then he motioned to the two men on Destinn's either hand. Colonel Destinn has given me his word" he said briefly. You have nothing more to fear. Biv- ouac as best you can. We shall re- main here till the morning. He turned from them and passed the hundred dim figures of men leaning weary and motionless on their rifles. They did not look at him or seem to notice him. He saw Goetz standing, a slender, delicate figure, outlined against an unearthly background of silvery hills. The German was snok- ing placidly. almost insolently.
 T stole these" he said. I thought they would be my last. was mis- taken apparently. Am to thank you?"
 Give me a cigarette Instead"
 Their faces were close together. The red glow of their cigarettes burned up between them. and they looked each other in the eyes. Then q hand was stretched out and touched Farquhar's with an almost feminine gentleness.
 "Is there anything I can do for you when we get back? Any message?"
 'Yes-I should be grateful Will you go to Madame Arnaud? Ask for her companions Miss Smith---a little countrywoman of mine. Will you tell her--how 1t happenedT
 'I promise you, Nameless."
 FarGuhar bowed his head for mo ment.
 'Tell her the mirage was not so  splendid as the truth"
 The night deepened with the silence. They had forgotten that their hands were still clasped together. Like chil- dren they dreamed old dreams and trod old paths. The dawn broke, and instinctvely their eyes sought the west. Amid the golden clouds drifting up from the horizon the night had built city of temples and palaces, domed with silver. whose pale ethereal nina rets and glowing cupolas reached up Into the translucent light of morning. For moment or two it brightened, the slender outlines strengthening almost to reality-then faded-and as the sun rose passed wholly into the vacant day.
 ''Miragew
 Goetz rose slowly and stiffiy.
 "The mirage is gone" he said. He pointed then to something moving swiftly over the wide sweep of plain. "Colonel Destinn's calculated within the hour." he said. There are the