The Washington times., 1922-07-05

reap, out after moment ne fnoVeu
away. He stopped again at the
far end Of the tent, and she knew
from the faint metallic click that
he was loading his revolver. She
heard him lay II down on the little
writing table. and then the steady
tramping began once more. His
restlessness made her uneasy. He
had BEER in the saddle since
early dawn. Saint Hubert had
advised him 10 be careful for some
weeks yet. 1t was imprudent not
to rest when opportunity offered.
He was so careless Of himself.
She gave a quick. impatient sigh.
and the tender light In her eyes
deepened into an anxiety that was
half maternal. In spite Of his re.
newed strength and his laughing
protests at Raoul's warningr.
coupled with q physical demonstra.
ton on his less muscular friend
that had been very conclusive.
she could never forget that she
had seen him lying helpless as a
child, too weak even to raise his
hand. Nothing could ever take
the remembrance from her. and
nothing could ever alter the fact
that in his weakness he had been
dependent on her. She had been .
necessary to him then!> She had
moments fierce pleasure In the
thought, but It faded as suddenly
as It had come. 1t had been an
ephemeral happiness.
AT last she heard the divan
freak under his weight. but not
until CASTOR came back bringing
his supper. As he ate he spoke.
and his first words provoked III
exclamation of dismay from the
Frenchman. which was hastily
smothered with murmured
apology. and then Diana became
aware that others had come int
the room. He spoke to each in
turn. and she recognized Yusefc
clear. rather high pitched voice ar.
guing with the taciturn head
camel-man. whose surly intona-
tions and behavior matched tho
bad-tempered srimals to whom he
was devoted. until a word from
Ahmed Ben Hassan silenced them
both. There were two more who
received their orders with only
grunt Of acquiescence.
Presently they went out. but
Yusef fingered. talking volubly.
half in Arabic. half in French. but
lapsing more and more into the
vernacular as he grew excited
Even in the midst Of her trouble
the thought of him sent a little
smile to Diana's lips. She could
picture him squatting before the
Sheik. scented and immaculate, his
fine eyes rolling. his slim hands
waving continually. his handsome
face alight with boyish enthusiasm
and worship. At last he, too.
went. and only CASTOR remained.
busy with the cafetiere that was
his latest toy. The aroma Of the
boiling coffee filled the tent. She
could imagine the servants def
fingers manipulating the fragile
glass and silver appliance. She
could hear the tinkle Of the spoon
as he moved the cup. the splash
of the coffee as he poured 1t out.
the faint sound Of the cup being
placed on the inlaid table. Why
was Ahmed drinking French cof.
fee when he always complained Il
kept him awake7 At night he was
in the habit Of taking the native
preparation. Surely tonight he
had need Of sleep. 1t was the
hardest day he had had since bis
illness. For few moments longer
CASTOR moved about the outer
room, and from the sound Diana
guessed that he was collecting on
to a tray the various things that
had to be removed. Then his voice.
louder than he had spoken before:
'Monseigneur desir d'autre
chose1"
The Sheik must have signed in
the negative. for there was no gu.
dible answer.
Bon soir. Monseigneur."
Bon soir. CASTOR"
Diana drew a quick breath.
While the man was still in the
adjoining room the moment for
which she was waiting seemed in
terminable. And now/she wished
that he had not gone. He stood
between her a.nd-what? For the
first time since the coming OF
Saint Hubert she was alone with
him, really alone. Only cur
tain separated them. q curtain that
she could not pass. She longed to
70 to him, but she did not dare.
She was pulled between love and.
fear, and for the moment fear