The Washington times., 1922-12-03

sips, and cannot ny away--ever
-. Never. Poor Dick II to
have lived oil these twenty.three
years, and never to have fallen in
love r'-who had shot that odd,
challenging look at Hoodless when
he had half-hinted that he had
a proprietary right in her, Sais,
and that Dick might seek a "sister"
like her; and whose hand, at part
ing. had pressed his as in
promise!
The call of the distant desert
died out and the bright face of
danger dulled for him as he sat
over his cigarette.
He was not going South--in his
heart he knew It.
Sais had wiped out the trip with
one handclasp.
Kordofan and its wild beasts
could wait-at least until he had
discovered what that subtle
promise meant.
He stared at the weapons with
real distaste now, moving restlessly
about the room.
But what about Crichton Hood
less? He had implied that Sais
was his, and certainly his manner
was that of one who was very
close, very intimate. But that
meant. surely. that Hoodless was
the source from which Sais had
obtained her house, all that costly,
clashing furniture - the many
jewels and clothes which, he
guessed instinctively. she pos
sessed Hoodless, too, must have
provided the funds for these
European trips which Ssis some
times made-and to which she had
lightly referred during the talk of
the previous evening. Hoodless!
Marchurst frow d, then
laughed.
dBut that's absu :" he said.
"Poor old Crichton-living like the
birds in the airl Sais Is rich
mans jewel--unless she really
loved a man.
Only If she really loved Hood
less would she consent to share
his poverty.
He shrugged his shoulders with
certain relief. He would ask his
friend fatty at lunch. But he had
not even that short time 10 wait,
for even ~ he decided il the door
of the sitting room swung back
and Hoodless entered gaily.
"Ah. Dick, old man. ! nailed
him-a chap had some business
with last time was here. Moth
ing much. A little commission |
pulled Oft in town for him"
He laughed, patting his breast
pocket, his quick dark eyes flicker
Ing over the tumble of kit about
the room.
Carefully dressed and obviously
well bred he WAS pleasing enough
to look upon, and his restlessneks
seemed, at his present age, only a
natural expression of high spirits.
Been hs ing q look over the
thing''" -
threw Il 70 hi., shoulder, clicked
the trigger, and replaced II In q
space Of seconds.
A grand little rifie--perfsct
bsisnee, Lancaster lei you into
a bargain there, Dick"
Il, - . cigarette
"l'h axe my full share Of this
kind Of WORK now, old man. Fin
ishsd business for the present
He sat down.
"wsll, Tomorrow we shall be
AWAY for open country. I've
wired to q man in Khartun to
look out for us--but we may be
able to make Ell Obeid our kick
off place. They've pretty well
cleared up after the war now. The
tribes are quiet. Omlurman and
the Sirlar cooled their blood
permanently, eh?"
Dick fdgeted little and broke
in.
"Just moment, Hoodless. IL
fancy I've cooled . little, too.
This trip"-
''Eh! Cooled"
Hoodless looked up quickly.
Dick spoke hurriedly with the
bluntness Of youth.
"1ts shabby, I suppose---but the
fact is I'm no longer In the mood
for this trip. want to call It off,"
"Call it off! But, my dear old
chap, you have been mad about it
up till now-why, only yesterday
you said how glad you would be
to get"---he stopped abruptly,
and whistled softly.
"Oho" he said, and paused for
. second, thinking.
Then he nodded.
81 see, Dick. It's that witch,
Sais---I suppose ?"
IL mean to stay in Cairo for
time, 1yway," said Dick awkward
ly, even a little stiffly.
He stared at Hoodless.
"Tell me, old man, is She
yours!" he asked.
Hoodless was looking at him
r,iriohs1v He hne;<o<aJ ocd a