The Washington times., 1919-02-02

"Of course you've got the right to do It.
but it hurts my pride, sir. If that
chart He stopped and turned away
with a groan.
Daoud laughed slyly. I'VE had better
get on when we can. 1t was about here
that the Egyptians were whelmed in the
Hill Of Waters in their pursuit Of the
Israelites. 1t is an unlucky spot When
the Elfrit of the storm flaps his sable
wing
He'll" roared Hoagland, who caught the
drift Of the remark. He wanted to saH
more, but a look from his employet
stopped him.
Alan went below to study the chart with
Daoud. He had now no hopes that HoaE-
lands efforts would be successful An
other day to wait! 1t was maddening. A
brief study Of the maps showed that il a
ship was at Kosseir Won Hengel would
have had ample time to embark And Kos
seir was not more than fifty miles from
where the Turkana lay at that very mo-
menti
''YOu know Kosseir?" he asked Of Daoud.
would there be a ship there?"
Most probably Pilgrim ship-or
others. There is a traffic in dates with
Arabia" :.
Him"
Amneh came softly in and peered over
Alan's shoulders, waiting for a chance to
speak
Il am sorry have been Of so little use,
Monsieur Alan" she said when DaOud
rose.
'It doesn't matter" replied Alan easily;
we're getting on quite nicely" And then,
as he happened to think Of Northby's mes
sage, "Amneh," he said soberly, "the
Sheykh Hassan Isar has been captured at
AssiVt by British soldiers"
He studied her carefully She looked
startled for a moment and then sank
softly in the chair beside him. "The
Sheykh-captured!" she murmured. And
then. with timid look up into Alan's face,
she smiled, as she said quietly:
1t Is better that it is so. Now We need
have no fear Of him"
II he hadn't been sensible Of her close
proximity, the lustrous eyes turned up to
his, the touch Of her fingers upon his arm.
the slight eXhalation from her clothing Of
some subtle perfume, he would not per-
haps have been aware of the inclusive
pronoun- And the little gasp Of relief that
accompanied the remark, a gasp that
seemed more Ike a sigh, made him aware
of the fact that Amneh might possibly
have gathered a conception Of their reIa-
tonship which dfnered from his own. But
she had seemed so cOntented, so adOrably
childlike. &. Perhaps he was mis-
taken.
ais it that ycu do not care for me. Mon
sieur Alan?" she asked I'm a gentle voice.
Not once, since we left Alexandria. have
you sat with me thus or held my hand.
You are so kind, Monsieur Alan, l had
hoped
He lay his hand over hers and patted
it gently.
81 have had much to do, Amneh-much
to think about
But, Monsieur Alan, Just a look from
your eyes, touch Of your hand, and am
cOntent"-
She was so dependent and he was so
very sorry for her! Between the alterna-
tives Of injuring her feelings by moving
away (which would be awkward) and
yielding to a natural impulse (which was
gracefully he seemed to have no choice So
he put his arm around her and kissed her
gently upon the cheek. Alan, after all,
was only human.
She moved little in his arm and turned
her head away, but she sighed again very
gently.
Thanks, Monsieur Alan" she whispered.
"It is what / desired" And. then very
gently released herself. 81 know now that
you do not despise me-"
Alan laughed.
"And why should I despise your" he
asked.
Because because, Monsieur Alan
She paused painfully and would not
go on.
''You have done me a great service,
Amneh. Should not be grateful?'
She looked at him wistfully. For that
yes, monsieur, if it pleases you"
Alan took out his pipe, which he did in
all moments of uncertainty, and filled it
slowly.
You are not already tired of the Tur-
kama and the sand shoaI, Amneh?"
Tired? Oh, no."
Tonight l think We shall go. The
Mercy will tow US off,"
She stood and looked at him a moment
and he tried to divine what she was think
ing Of, for a tiny frown of perplexity had
come between her brows.
"The Mercy! Mademoiselle!" she NUT
tered, and then, while he wondered, fut-
tered gently out of the cabin.
CHAPTER XVTH