Evening star., 1923-04-26

breath, her emotion was so intense
In an instant Bannock was at her
side. his taIon-like fingers clutching
her throat, swaying her violently TO
and fro.
stop It, would you" he screamed
quivering with wrath as fearful as
I'D go mad without It, Do you
hear girl: Id go stark mad for the
want Of II. I'm at that pass. and
you would be sorry for what my
frenzy might make me do. You'd
stop me getting what has become
the very breath of life to me. No.
His grasp relaxed from sheer
weakness. he staggered backward,
dropping on seat by the table. his
arms, his whole body quivering like
an aspen leaf.
Jil-Bett went to him. laying her
strong. firm young hand on his
me save you from the dope and Ben
Alt's influence. grandfather" she
pleaded, dropping on her knees at
his side. Let us go away from here
cries in many other places, and there
is no better. more daring diver than
your own Jil-Bett.'
The old man shook his head fran
tically:: NO, no! It's too late now"
The girl rose slowly from her knees,
gazing at him in terror: she had not
thought it had SO terrible a hold on
him as this.
Mind. / command you to go no
make Ben-Ali his enemy if you do"
Jil-Bett turned, walking slowly to
the curtained recess which shut off
her couch from his gaze. He heard
then he knew Ben-Ali was right
her heart had gone out to the
stranger whose life she had been the
means of saving.
Not to go to the hospital any
,s,H sered her. u" She had come to look
forward to those visits as the glad
dest moments of her life. She had
spent every possible moment there,
when duty did not claim her. allevi-
strangers pain. The doctor noted
among themselves. They were all
fond of Jil-Bett. and were uneasy
over this state of affairs. They
looked upon the practical side of life.
mo doubt he has left a sweetheart
somewhere. or. possibly. a wife and
children: with Jil-Bett 1t is more
than apt to prove loves labor lost "
Therefore, they were more pleased
message from Daniel Bannock to the
effect that they must refuse his
granddaughter the privilege of at
tending the stranger.
she resolved. drying her eyes; after
that the days that come and go will
hold little to look forward to- The
thought that comforted her most
much longer. and she would see the
handsome stranger when he left the
hospital.
Daniel Bannock made no effort to de-
tain Jil-Bett as she passed him going
out into the darkness Of tho night. All
her life she had been wont to spend
long hours in the moonlight, by the old
stone wall back of their place. Even
when there was no moon or stars ne
was pretty sure to find her there If he
wanted her.
He often wondered what she was
dreaming about. sitting there with her
little hands folded. lying in her lap. A
reprimanded by him for wasting time
In that manner, but, with a girl-well.
he did not understand their humors.
and Jil-Bett came and went as she
liked.
Up to this time JiI-Bett had worn the
native costume of the girls Of Arabia
the long. loose shirt reaching to the
knees. drawers. and the ever-present
scarf, a short -soabbarded. thin -biaded
knife to guard against possible attack
by sea-serpents while at their work.
1t was the pride Of the women. and
young girls that these daggers should
be az ornate a. possible On Jl-Bett's
her name was engraven-the unique
work Of her grandfather-upon both hilt
and blade.
On this night on which Jil-Bett was
hurrying over to the hospital the moon
was late in rising. but, to make up for
It, the sky was thickly sown with stars
that seemed to shine brighter than she
had ever known them 10 shine before
Her surprise was great and her agi-
tation intense when she was refused
admission.
81 am not coming again-this is the
last time" she said, bravely choking
back the sob that rose In her throat.
II am sorry. but that is the doctors
man has arrived at that stage of his
illness whore those about him must be
He thought that solution of tho mat
ter would be the one most likely to sat
isfy the girl, which proved to be the
"You shall be Informed when he is
able to sit up, which we hope viii be
before long; then probably you can
come and sit with him.
II will be 30 glad to-" murmured jill
Bett, turning away.
The attendant looked after her until
the 1.-THE form was lost to his sight in
the darkness.
Like almost every young man in
katar. he. worshipped Jill Bett from
afar. and he wondered vaguely why il
one at that-had gained. without effort.
the heart Of . girl he would have given
life itself to win. Later, the thought
came to him that he should have fol-
s'e .ss e.:nse LEE e. ssss ..s e make SURE