The Washington times., 1922-05-29

being led away to the lines on the
other side of the camp.
"The horses are magnificent. but
they are larger than any Arabs
have seen before"
They are a special breed,
madame" replied the Frenchman.
"The tribe has been famous for
them for generations. Monseig-
neur's horses are known through
all the Barbsry States. and as far
as France" he added, with "a little
accent OF pride creeping into his
voice.
Diana looked at him speculative
ly. There was an infection in his
voice each time he mentioned his
master that indicated a devotion
that she was unable to accredit
to the brute for whose treatment
she was stin suffering. But her
thoughts were broken into abruptly.
There is Monseisneur," said the
servant suddenly. He spoke as II
she, too, must be glad of his com.
ing. Did the valet imagine for
one moment that she was here of
her own free will Or was It all a
part OF tho hypocrisy in which she
seemed to be enveloped4 She flash
ed one glance at the horseman rid
ing through the belt of trees that
fringed the oasis and An icy per
spirstion chilled her from head to
foot. She shrank back under the
awning and into the cooiness of
the tent. raging against the mas
tering fear that she could not over
come. But just inside the open
doorway she stood firm: even hsT
fear could mako her 60 no further.
She would meet him here, not COW
ering into the inner room like q
trembling creature skulkins in the
furthest corner OF it's cage. That
much pride at least was left.
From the shelter OF the tent she
watched the troop arrive at the
open space before her. The horse
the Sheik was riding was Jet black.
and Diana looked from the beauti-
full creatures satiny coat to the
mans white robes with angry con-
tempt.
BLACK and white! Black and
white. Mountebank!' she mutter.
ed through her cIenched teeth.
Then as he swung to the ground
every thought fell from her but the
terror he inspired. She waited,
breathless, the swift racing Of her
heart an actual physical pain.
He fingered. fondling the great
black horse, and even after II had
been led away he stood looking
after 1t. talking to a tall young
Arab who had ridden In with him.
At last he turned and came leis-
urely toward the tent. He paused
at the door 10 speak to the French
man. a picturesque. barbarfc fig.
ure, with flowing robes and great
white cloak. the profile of his lean
face clean cut against the evening
sky, the naughty poise of his head
emphasized by the attitude in
which he was standing. arrogant,
dominating. He moved his hands
when he spoke with quick, expires.
sive gestures. but his voice was
slow and soft. pitched in a deep
musical key, but with all it's soft.
ness unmistakably authoritative.
He pointed with outstretched,
steady hand to something beyond
her line Of vision, and as he turn.
ed to enter the tent he laughed
softly, and she shivered involun.
tarily. Then he swept in, and
she drew back from him with
lowered eyes. She would not
look at him; she would not meet
his look. His presence was an Of
Tense, she was scorched with
shame. Every fibre Of her being
cried out in protest at his prox.
unity. She wished with passion.
ate fierceness that she could die.
She shook feverishly and caught
her quivering lip between her
teeth to keep it still, and the red.
gold curls lay wet against her
forehead. Her breast heayed
stormily with the rapid beating OF
her heart, but she held herself
proudly erect. He crossed the
tent with a long noiseless stride.
II hope that CASTOR took care
Of you properly and gave you
everything that you wanted?" he
said easily, STOPPING TO a little
table to light a cigarette. The
GOODNESS Of his words and manner
were like a dash Of cold water
She hsd been prepared for any
thing but this calm nonchalance
in a situation that was intolerable.
His tone conveyed the perfume.
tory regret Of host for an ur.
avoidable absence. Her fear gave