Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-07-16
CHAPTER 10

more opened his eyes. For momen
he wondered where he was. His minC
seemed to move only by great effort
but bit by bit he recognized articles
around the walls. Yes, there was hi:
casque de soleil with the bullet hole
through the top. There hung his au
tomato in its well-worn holster, his
map case, his glasses
With an effort that required all his
strength, he found himself able to
turn his head. Vaguely he pondered
over the strange weakness which grip
ped him. How had it all happened
What was the answer? Then, as his
head moved nthe pillow, he saw a
hand, very white and slender, resting
on the rough military blanket which
covered him. He turned farther and
experienced sharp pain in his back
which, coming suddenly, wrenched a
little moan from his lips.
For a moment, all went black be-
fore his eyes and the shadows reach
ed for his consciousness. When the
obscurity passed, through mist he saw
the anxious, exquisite face of Anne
Cleeves bending over him. God! How
beautiful she was-small, soft mouth,
short, straight nose and those great
wells of blue which were her eyes
how misty they were. She was clad
in polo shirt, the whiteness of which
was obviously impaired by hard wear,
and smartly cut riding breeches and
tiny smart boots that must have cost
a fortune.
"Oh-Norman-You must lie quiet"
she warned in low voice. you've
been dreadfully sick"
Though his head still spun, the axis
of the whirling scene was the lovely
features bending over him. Like a
fresh breeze from a Homegrown
oasis was her presence.
"You-Anne-" he whispered feebly
care you all right? Did-did-"
She laid a hand that was cool as a
flower on his forehead. "No-no-''
she whispered hurriedly. Thanks to
you-Oh-how can ever repay you
How you ever managed the rescue"
"The Touaregs?"
"Still fighting among themselves"
she replied softly, "just outside the
oasis. But you mustn't talk now. I've
made myself free of your medicine kit
and Pm afraid I've used up most of
it since you were wounded"
In spite of protests, he struggled to
raise himself on the pillow, then with
charming firmness, Anne Cleeves for
ced him back, placing small hand on
his unwounded shoulder. On her
wrists he noted deep red bruises, and,
forgetting what had passed, wondered
what had caused them.
Were all right for the present"
she informed him, land if you'll only
be good and behave, We'll all pull thru
in fine style-you will be good, won't
you? While I'm gone-there's ma
tive down with blood poisoning
expecting me now" So saying, she
smiled, arose and moved off across
the room with quick stride that NOV
ed her rounded shoulders sharply.
After she had gone, Roberts lay
staring after her, his mind in feev-
erish turmoil. What had happened?
How many men were left? Was there
enough food to last? Would the
Touaregs attacked again? A thousand
vital questions burned in his mind. He
called out and was surprised to find
how weak his voice had become. In
the distance he seemed to hear pro-
longed shouting and strange impress
ion seized him that the Targui were
once more about to attack. He listen
ed again, but no other sound came.
There was no rattle of shots.
They're still a long way off," he
thought, "but I've got to see what is
happening. His disordered imagination
tortured him until he struggled to
raise himself, but he lay back weak
with the effort, sitting the groans
his wound prompted. At last, by dint
of prolonged effort, he was able to
get his feet over the edge of the bed
and, using rifle as a crutch, man
aged to raise himself to his feet. At
once the room spun about like mer-
ry-go-round.
"Selim!" he called, and tottered for
ward step. "Selim!" He felt that
he must know what was happening.
On his shoulders rested the respon-
sibility for the siege-responsibility
for Anne Cleeves now. The thought
pleased him oddly. How long he had