Evening star., 1923-05-07

IL IL the utmost caution, jill
M Bett retraced her steps, re-
" Suming her seat by the old
well. to think and try to
formulate some way to save Jack. She
never fully realized until that tragic
hour how dear he was to her-and
what will not a woman do to save the
man she loves?
The thought of the warning prison
into which her grandfather would
cast him filled her with mortal ter
ror.
1t was common knowledge to the
inhabitants of Katar that those who
were thrust through its portals had
looked upon the light of the world
and life for the last time. No one
was ever informed how or when they
passed away, or If it was true that
those grim, gray walls through
which they must pass. coming out or
st stark mad. or lifeless, which might
have accounted for the bodies of un-
identified men found cast up by the
sea now and then.
The awful picture before her mind 8
eye terrified her.
She knew quite we'll her grand
father fould not live moment II sen
tence was passed upon him to be cast
iAto the katar prison, and his suf-
ferings would end then and there.
But Jack, All. God. he was so
young and strong now-only heaven
would know how long he might live
to endure it.
She remembered how many bereft
widows and fatherless children al
ways knelt and prayed every tune
they passed the prison for some loved
and lost one whom those walls smut
out from them.
She had often heard people speak
Of how lax the law was in katar-
that for almost nothing men were
snatched from the bosom OF oneir
families and were made to pay the
penalty of life Imprisonment for
trivial offerSe.
She knew. too.\'that BenAli had
great influence with the authorities,
and he would show Jack no mercy.
Then there surged over her heart
the longing to save the man VINO
she felt sure was innocent.
With the accusation, all katar
would find out the secret about the
ruby they had guarded SO zeaiously
But what would that matter now?
Then, in alright, 1t occurred to
her that the incensed mob population
might clamor to deal out summary
punishment without stopping TO give
the law a chance to take its course.
1t was an easy matter to start riot
in katar
Jil-Bett felt that she must do her
best to save Jack from what she felt
sure was her Grandfathers pltltul
error When the sun rose on the
morrow he, was TO go away-instead'
he would be thrust into prison. The
anguish of the injustice of it caused
Jfl-Bett to abandon herself to the
bitterest tears.
'Tt is clearly my duty to see that
this grave wrong is not carried out
against an innocent man. she de-
h i'm n n
iost" Est at 0"ee-"0' 4 '''''S' -
The Divers Rest, next door. which
housed scores of divers, was never
c1osed-the men came and went as
they chose.
With the prayer on her lips that
she was doing right in thus warn
ing and saving him, Jil-Bett lost no
time in reaching the tavern. The
long tier of doors on the upper gal
ajar; this indicated whether the oc-
cupant was in or not.
Iil-Bett did not know which room
was Jacks. Her plan was to send
whoever came in, in search OF him
with the message: He was wanted
gent matter.
She stood within the deep shadow
ot one of the large pillars for fully
half an hour; during that time no
one entered the place.
She was just about to give UP her
quest when Jack, came swinging
briskIy through the arched doorway.
Ere she could get her scattered wits
together to call his name he had
gone up the stairs. two at time,
disappearing within the room direct
~ at the head of the stairs.
Swiftly Jil-Bett mounted the stairs
after him. pausing on the threshold.
calling his name In low, timid, hesi-
Ia ting voice.
he did not hear. he had crossed
the room. f1inging off his coat as he
walked. pausing at the window.
He was unusually tired. Even
after the long sleep-inducing walk
he had taken he felt no inclination.
dering whether to go out again or
remain in. when he was aware of a
Ight step by his side; turning quick
~, to his great establishment, he be-
held Jil-Bett standing there.
Il want to talk with you" she
faltered. TT Is of the utmost i'm
portance, or I would not be here at
this hour. sir. Tomorrow would be
too late"
"Jil-Betti" he exclaimed in dis
here; whatever you have to say to
me is not so important that you
should jeopardize your good name
like this"
A sob fen from her lips. "It won't
take but a few moments to tell you,
then I will 60"
IT will take you to your home now;
we can sit on your doorstep-any-
where but here-while you tell me-"
"Grandfather might see. that would
be the worst thing that could hap
pen" she answered in great alarm.
''Enraged he might not wait until
morning. Let me tell you here. and
now. You must! Oh, Mr.. Jack. you
must" She was not to be per-
suaded from her resolve. He was
obliged to listen to what she had
come to him to say.
He knew this artless young girl
HAD not tho slightest realization Of
the position in which she had placed
herself. He was in a dilemma; he
felt that he could not close the door
during her presence in the room; on
the other hand, at any moment the
occupants OF the other rooms might
psss. and. seeing her there, misjudge
tho motive. whatever 1t might be,
that brought her to him.
Once moro he attempted to per-