Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-17

In rho light Of tho present trend OF
ltcratur" wherein no Selt-rosp"rtlng
best seller i compl"t" without at least
one fiery and amorous Shcik t" carry
off the beautiful herolnc-th" experience"
Of II Philadelphia woman with an nu-
thcntc son Of the desert assumes an
unusual interest.
IL was the lot of Mrs. Edith Edward
Fowler. of the Margrav". Twentieth and
Chestnut streets. 10 be entertained by
a real sheik az the edge Of the Iibynn
Desert near the spot where the dust
Of Egynt's kings reposes in subter.
ranran caverns.
Mrs. Fowler, since returning from
her trip up IN" Nile. has departed
again for new field t" wander. but her
cousin, Mrs. Nam" Gillette. of Cum
in which she took part.
I'VE had come by river from Luxor
to Thebes," snid Mrs. Gillette. 40 visit
the famous Tombs Of the Kings about
nine miles from the Nile, on the edge
of the desert. II was necessary TO ride,
"Whcn We got off the boat We found
that the carriage for which wn had
wired ahead had been taken by another
party. who had started off already.
SO We had 10 go by donkey, which il
comfortable or uncomfortable, according
10 ! he nature Of the beast. Mine had
q side saddle.
II was az this point that they met
the sheik, Ali Ben IIasscn. who seemed
to "x"rciS" some degre" Of proprietary
interest in their Iiminutive mounts. In
several RESPECTS he hacked those daahiny
qualities which have mndc the shek Of
frtion SO dear 20 the heart of the
American tapp"r.
lie was scven'y-three years old"
said Mrs. Gillette, and just the color
OF weIl-used saddle"
II appears, also. that instead Of the
spirited Arab steed. Shod with fire, he
was astride donkey even smaller than
'hc others. from which he dismountad
by the simple "Xpodi"nt of dropping his
feet TO the ground and letting the AMI =
nal walk from beneath him.
He had on brightly striped robes. "
continued Mrs. Gillette. and the usual
white cloth bound upon his head by a
great twisted thong Of camel's hair. Hc
was typical Arab, and must have cut
a dash!ng figure in his day.
Interested in Mrs. Fowler
Right from the start he showed the
greatest interest in Cousin Edith, but
contrary 10 reports. he didn't sugges,
that she become has principal wife. Ht
started off by dlsmissing her donkey boy
and leading the beast himself. Ther
hp began to talk TO us--hc spoke a 1T
tie Engish--und asked US II we kne"
This or that American, whom he hnC
met in tho past. He seemed to think w
should know them, II they were Amer
leans.
The littl" party had proceeded. quit
alone. for some five or SIX miles. anC
had entered upon a stretch of wild ant
desolate country, when their gallan
escort suggested that they turn aSid
briefly and partake Of coffee at hi
house. which was close NJ hand.
I'VE we're rather alarmed at tn
prospect, explained Mrs. Gillette
land YET. knowing how sensitive theS
Orientals are on the matter OF hospital
iry. We we're afraid to refuse, for fea
OF offending him. So we accepted AM
went to his house.
1T was low, fat mud structure
standing quite by itself in the midst o
a small valley Gf shifting sands. Ther
VA, II broad vcranda or porch In front
where several other Arabs were s!ttin
cross legged, smoking. The sheik tol
us 20 shake hands with two Of these
who were his brothers, and bow TO tll
rest. Then he seated us on one OF tn
diyans.
The Sheik Has n Telephone
The SheIk then clappcd his hand'
wafer and coffee in tiny cups wer
, brought and everybody started talkin
/ at once IN Arabic.
, II appeared, from their hosts broke
translntions, that the person with whol
= they had first shaken hands was vei
4 powerful sheik, who held sway owe
: 1000 tribesmen in the region there
sbouts. lie had telephone in b.