The Washington times., 1922-05-24


feet harmony of her mind.
A shade beside her made. her
turn her head. Mustafa Ali sa'
. laamed obsequiously. 1t is time
to start, Mademoiselle.'
Hpiana looked up In surprise and
khen back over her shoulder at
the escort. The men were already
mounted. The smile faded from
or eyes. Mustafa Ali was guide,
It she was head Of this expedi-
don: II her guide had not realized
this he would have to do so now.
She glanced at the watch on her
wrist.
There is plainly of time" she
said coolly.
Mustafa Ali salaamed again.
It Is a long ride to reach the oasis
where we must camp tonight"
he insisted hurriedly.
Diana crossed one brown boot
over the other, and scooping up
some sand in the palm of her hand
trickled It through her fingers
slowly. Then we can ride faster"
she replied quietly, looking at the
shining particles glistenins in the
sun.
Mustafa All made a movement
Of impatience and persisted dog
gedly. "Mademoiselle would do
we'll to start"
Diana looked up swiftly with
angry eyes. Under the mans
suave manner and simple words
a peremptory tone had crept into
his voice. She sat quite still.
her fingers raking the warm
sand, and under her naughty stare
the guides eyes wavered and
turned away. I'VE will start when
I choose. Mustafa ALL" she said
brusequely. You may give orders
to your men. but you will take
your orders from me. l will tell
YOU when I am ready. You may
60"
Still he hesitated, swaying ir-
resolutely backwards and forwards
on his heels.
Diana snapped her fingers over
her shoulder. a trick she had
learned from a French officer in
Biskra. 1T said go!' she repeated
sharply. She took no notice OF
his going and did not look back to
see what orders he gave the men.
She glanced at her watch again.
Perhaps it was growing late, per-
haps the camp was longer ride
than she had thought; but Mus
tafa Ali must learn his lesson II
they rode till midnight to reach
the oasis. She pushed her OBJ
stinate chin out further and then
smiled again suddenly. She hoped
that the night would fall before
they reached their destination.
There had been one or two moon.
light riding picnics cut from
Biskra, and the glamour OF the
desert nights had gone to Diana's
head. This riding into the un-
known away from the noisy. chat
tering crowd who had spoiled the
perfect stiffness Of the night would
be infinitely more perfect. She
gave a little sigh Of regret as she
thought OF II. II was not really
practical. Though she would wait
nearly another hour to allow the
fact Of her authority to sink into
Mustafa Ali's brain she would
have to hasten afterwards to ar
rive at the camp before darkness
set in. The men were unused to
her ways and she to theirs. She
would not have Stephens help to-
night; she would have to depend
on herself to order everything as
she wished It, and It was easier
done in daylight. One hour would
not make much difference. The
horses had more in them than had
been taken out Of them this morn
ing; they could be pushed along
q bit faster with no harm happen
ing TO them. She eyed her watch
from time to time with a grin Of
amusement. but suppressed the
temptation to look and see how
Mustafa Ali was taking It.. for
her action might be seen and mis-
construed.
When the time she had set her.
self was up she rose and walked
slowly towards the group Of
Arabs. The guides face was
sullen, but she took no notice,
and. when they started. motioned
him to her side again with a
reference to .Biskra that provoked
a flow Of words. 1t was the last
place she wanted to hear Of, but II
was one Of which he spoke the
readiest, and she knew IL was not
wise to allow him to remain silent
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