The evening world., 1922-05-26

that Saint Hubert had almost given
up hope OF being able 10 save the
Shelk's llfe--a night that had been
followed by days OF suspense that
had reduced Diana to a weary-eyed
shadow OF her former vigorous self.
and had left marks on Raoul that
would never be effaced. II had been
a very silent service, for tho Sheik
would lie for hours with closed eyes
without speaking, and something that
she could not master kept her tongue
tied in his presence when they were
alone. Only once he had referred TO
the raid.
WAS tin timer" he whispered
slowly, and as she nodded with Grim
son cheeks and lowered eyes he
turned his head away without another
word, but a shudder that he was too
weak to control shook him.
Ahmed Ben Hassan's final recov-
cry was quick, and the camp soon
settled down into normal conditions.
And with the Sheik's complete re-
covery his attitude towards Diana had
reverted to the cold reserve that had
chilled her before-a reserve that was
both courteous and indifferent. He
had slept in the outer room since his
illness, and tossing feverishly on the
soft cushions Of the big empty bed in
which she lay alone Diana had suf-
fered the greatest humiliation she had
yet experienced. He had never loved
her, but now he did not even want
her. She was useless TO him. Sho
was humbled to the very dust by
his indifference
Al last Raoul had announced that
his visit could be protacted no longer
and that he must resume his journey
to Morocco.
To Diana his going meant the hast
ening of a crisis that could not be
put off much longer. The situation
was becoming impossible. She had
said good bye to him the night before.
She had never guessed the love she
had inspired in him. and she wondered
at the sadness in his eyes and his un-
accustomed lack of words. He had
wanted to say so much and he had
said so little. And this morning he
and Ahmed Ben Hassan had ridden
away at daybreak. The camp had
seemed very lonely and the day very
long.
She had ridden with CASTOR, and
hurried over her solitary dinner. and
since then she had been waiting for
the Sheik to come back. In what
mood would he conner
She wondered numbly what would
| become of her. It did not seem to
matter much. Nothing mattered
now that he did not want her any
more. The old life was far away, in
another world. She could never go
back to It. She did not care. II
was nothing TO her. 1t was only
here in the desert in Ahmed Ben
Hassan's arms that she had become
alive, that she had learned what life
really meant that she had walked
both to happiness and sorrow.
There was nobody to hear the agon-
izing sobs that shook her from head to
foot. Tears were not easy to her. She
had not wept since that FIRST night
when, with the fear OF worse than
death, she had grovelled at his feet,
moaning for mercy.
She wrestled with herself. The
weakness that she had given way to
must be conquered. She knew that,
without any possibility OF doubt. his
coming would seal her fate-whatever
It was to be. She must wait until
then. A long, shuddering sigh ran
Through her. ahmed! Ahmed Ben
Hassan.' she murmured slowly, lin
gering with wistful tenderness on the
words. She pressed her face closer
into the cushions. clasping her hands
over her head. and for a long time Jay
very still.
Quite suddenly her mind was filled
with thoughts of her own people, the
old home in England, the family for
whose honor her ancestors had been
so proudly jealous.
She was torn with a mad, primitive
jealousy, a longing to kill the un-
known woman who would inevitably
succeed her.
doors. She peered into the darkness
hut there was little light from tn
tiny crescent moon. and she could Sc
nothing. She moved a few steps for
ward from under the awning to lool
UP at the brilliant stars twinkllnJ
overhead. She had watched them 8
often from Ahmed Ben Hassan'
arms; they had become an tntegra
part Of the passionate Oriental nights
MADAM Is tired?" a respectful
voice murmured at her ear.
Diana started. She had forgotte
the valet. "It Is so hot. The tent wa
stifing," she said evasively.
Gaston's devotion was Of kin
that sought practical demonstration
Madame veut du cafe?" he suggest
ed tentatively. 1t was his universe
, panacea.
"No, Castor. IT makes me ner
vous," she said, gently.
"Une limonade?" he persisted
) hopefully.
She let him bring the cool drinl
! moro for his pleasure than for he
own. "Monseigneur Is late" she sal
slowly, strainins her eyes again int
the darkness.
"He will come" replied CASTOR
: confidently. "Kopec is restless: he /
always so when Monseigneur is com
ing"