The Washington times., 1922-06-07


from her by fear was valid in her
opinion.
She rode steadily forward at
slow. swinging canter, instructive
ly saving her horse, plan after i'lan
passing through her brain Lo he re-
jected as impractitable. Silver
Star fretted continually at the mod
crate pace, tossing ais head and
catching at his bit. She took no
heed OF the time beyond the fact
that it was passing quickly. and
that II anything was to he done
1t must be done as soon as posi-
BILE. But Castor, riding d few
PAGES behind her, was very much
alive to the hour end lad
looked several times at mis-
watch. He ranged ALONGSIDE
Of her now with a murmurcd
apology Pardon. madame. II
grows late and submitted his
wrist watch for her inspection
r Diana glanced mechanically at.
her own wrist and then remember
ed that she had broken her watch
the day before. She pulled up. and
fitting her helmet back mopped her
hot forehead, and, as she did So
a sharp breeze sprang up. the curl.
Gus wind that comes and goes 50
rapidly in the desert. An idea
flashed into her mind. 1t was
poor chance. but It might succeed.
She shot a glance at Castor. He
was looking in the opposite direc-
ton, and, raising her hand, she
fluttered her handkerchief a mo-
ment in the breeze and then let II
20. The wind carried II some dis
tance away. She gave a little cry
and caught at the bride OF the
Wallets horse.
'"Oh, CASTOR, my handkerchief
and pointed to where the morsel OF
cambric lay white against a rock.
With a comical exclamation OF dis.
may. he slipped to the ground and
started to run across the sand.
She waited until he had got well
on his way. sitting tense with
shining eyes and humping heart.
then, snatching off her helmet, she
brought It down with a resound
ing smack on the hindquarters OF
the servants horse, stampeding It
in the direction Of the camp. and,
wheeling Silver Star. headed for
the north, deaf to Gaston's cries.
Wild with excitement and free to
go his own pace at last her mount
galloped swiftly and the wind whis-
tied past Diana's ears. To the pos
sible fate OF the little Frenchmsn
left on foot so far from the en-
campment abe gave no heed. For
the moment she did not even think
Of him. she had no thought for
anybody but herself. Her ruse by
it's very simplicity had succeeded.
She was free and she did not care
about anything else. She had no
plans or ideas what she should do
or where she should go beyond the
fact that she would keep riding
northward. She had vague hopes
that she might fall in with friendly
Arabs who, for a promised reward.
would guide her to civilization.
Most Of them could speak a little
French, and for the rest her small
stock of Arabic must do. She
knew that she was mad to at
tempt to ride across the desert
alone, but she did not mind. She
was free. She was too excited to
think coherentfy. She laughed and
shouted like a mad thing and her
madness communicated itself to
the grey, who was going at racing
speed. Diana knew that he was
out Of control. that she could not
btop MIN IL sHo tficu, but sue uiu
not want to try, the faster tho
better. In time he would tire him
self. but until then let him go as
he pleased. She was fast putting
miles between herself and the camp
that had been a prison, between
herself and the brute who had
dared to do what he had done. Az
the thought of the Sheik a sick
feeling Of fear ran, through her.
II anything should happen? II he
should catch her again? She shud.
dered, and a cry burst from her
lips. but she gripped herself at
once. She was idiotic, contempt.
BILE; It was impossible. 1t would
be hours. perhaps even the next
day, before the alarm was given:
he would not know in what direc.
ton she had gone. She would
have miles OF start on. one OF the
fleetest of his horses. She tried to
put him out OF her mind. She had
escaped from him and his cruelty.
IL was a nightmare that was over.
The effects would remain with her
always. nothing would ever be the