Evening star., 1923-05-09
Sitting Conscience
BY LAURA JEAN LfBBEY-

before daybreak." asserted the old
that" -... -.
""'Your are behind the times: that
was custom long ago, and because
OF II many q bird Slipped out of their
net. it's different now. You wouidn't
have to await daylight to land your
thief behind the bars"
Are you sure Of this. Ben-AH?"
|. The Arab nodded his head emphati-
cally. Again the Arab prepared an
other and still stronger potion
which his unfortunate Victim drain
ed to the dregs. 1t seemed like molten
fire running through his veins and
leapins through his old heart.
Now YOU are fit to fight" suggest
much. I wonder that you could have
been so blind as not to see what was
going on under your nose. The fell
low Jack stole your treasures-by
Jl-Betts aid. He is leaving here at
daybreak: he has already secured pas
! sage on the steamer that sails for
Americs on the morrow. He will take
your little girl with him. Marry.
Pouf:. no,''
! The old lapidary sprang to his feet
with an agility that would have done
credit it to much younger man
Raising his clenched hand. he lunged
a heavy blow at Ben-Ali. which the
Arab deftly lodged. Quite as soon
AS he could get his breath he cried
, hoarsely: How dare you accuse my
! ing from her old grandfather? It's a
lie-the blarkest lie you ever told.
! Time will tell whether am right
! or wrong" declared the Arab.
! "Jil-Bett will never marry him.
/ went on the old man energetically;
! i would never give my consent. and
j she would never wed without it,"
/ An angry fire leaped into the Arabs
! eyes.
i You don't seem to know all that
was going on while 4 was away" he
! retorted fiercely. My men told me
all about it as soon as landed.
! assure you IL was as much as could
! do to restrain myself until I had con-
! suited YOU about it and we had de.
/ clded upon quick course OF action
Daniel Bannock was staring at him
| with dilated eyes. What are they
saving about my little Jil-Bett?" he
| The report is they are lovers" re-
| piled Ben-Ali. II hear there has no,
! been a single evening for weeks tha,
! they have not strolled home together
! not by the path that cuts across the
lowland. that she and you were wont
| for years to take, but, the long route
that leads along the shore. where the
clump of date shrubs grows the thick
est. there they would linger. Why. ]
ask you. and you cannot help bu,
know. and make .answer--to make
| love. OF course.
| Call Jil-Bett out here. and let hel
disprove my assertion II she can: she
won't deny it when she faces me-"
She's not here" admitted Daniel
Bannock. with much hesitancy
Where them queried Ben-Ali.
We quarreled." admitted Daniel
Bannock. land she went out into the
night: I thought 1 should find her by
place"
The Arabs. tan,alizing laugh
| answered him. striking to his hear,
| more keenly than words; as did the
shrug Of his shoulders.
An old man like yourself is nc
match for young girl. She has suf-
fcient strategy to hoodwink you. II
You attempt to arrest her lover. you
will find her against you to the death
! tell YOU"
We shall see" cried old Bannock
pacing. the floor like. a. Gagged tiger
The potion, which he had taken
was rapidly doing it's work-tht
sinews Of his arms stood out like
whipcords, the veins ufsAts neck were
swollen. the asher hue of his face
grew blush gray, and his eyes. from
under the matted locks OF snow
white hair, glowed like living Goals OF
fire.
IlNe me dnOtHeT QOSe. ne en-
treated. II must have it, l tell YOU"
Needless Of the consequences. the
Arab complied, a smile of satisfaction
! lowering about his lips as he watched
his Tiotipl drain it to the last drop.
"Tes, 1 will have it. out with Jill
Bett before I arrest the villain, who
you say. has stolen my little girls
heart" he mumbled. You shall 60
with me to the Mudges. we will face
Jil-Bett. and she shall make answer:
she shall come home With me. and
you shall stand guard over her until
this Jack pays the penalty.
To this scheme Ben-Ali demurred