The Argosy, June 1904 — page 33: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DESPERATE DEAL. nothing. M. Rougiére, much to his surprise, and somewhat to his chagrin, found himself quietly, but not the less surely, shoved one side. It was on Fournier’s arm that Marie went to mect the governor. “ Bless my soul!” said the rugged old general to his wife as he saw them com- ing. “ What a beautiful girl! Who 1s she?” “T really do not know, but we shall certainly learn, for that irrepressible Fournier is bringing her.” Fournier, in graceful style, presented the party. “Tt was for my friends, your excel- lency, that I asked for three tickets.” “And I assure you | did myself a greater favor by giving them than I did vou,’ said the governor graciously. The Bey of Tunis almost went down on his knees when he met Marie, and the brother of the Sultan of Morocco smiled as he pictured that lovely face in his own harem in Fez. But the thing was to get her there. “These barbarians!” he said to him- self as the party proceeded on their triumphant way. “If it were not for the Franks! Well, there are women in Morocco as lovely. She is not for me.” The ladies of the garrison made a pet of Marie from the beginning. She spoke their language, vet she was not French. Therefore they need not be jealous. The Sheik Ibrahim stalked by, giving her a sly glance out of the corner of his eye. Sheik Ibrahim was a connoisseur in beauty. fe knew that in all the re- gion he ruled there was not such a girl as this young Belgian. He began to think. When Sheik Ibrahim began to think, and especially when the subject of his thoughts was a pretty girl, there was usually, as is a common expression, “something doing.” But others claimed her attention. The master of ceremonies now as- sumed command. The first dance was the lancers. The procession past the governor was al- most ended. At a signal the band changed from its brass to string, and the sets began to form. PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG 519 ‘Really, Rougiére,” said the heu- tenant, “JI hate to do it, but under the circumstances I must permit you to dance first with Mme. Hill.” “That is extremely gracious of you,” rejoined Alfred, with a rather exagger- ated bow. “From your monopoly of her so far, I had begun to think that I was not to have the pleasure of speak- ing to her all evening.” “Well, I can be generous at times, vou see,” said Fournier, bowing to Marie, “even as in this case, when it hurts.” Marie smiled and blushed. Alfred led her into a set, and the picturesque | dance began. There were few dancers, the Moorish princes and Arabs and black rulers of men standing to look on. This was not their way of dancing. Had it been around a pile of massacred foes, then they would show the barba- rians how to dance. “1 cannot understand why the Cal- iph did not come,” said the governor. “We usually attends all the recep- tions.” “The Caliph? Well, he went to Oran, as you know. Perhaps he has not returned,” replied an attaché. “T mistrust the fellow so much. He has evil in his eye. But his other spit is here.” “This other spit? I don’t under- stand, excellency.” “That rascal Sheik Ibrahim.” “Oh, that plotter! Well, he is in good company now. Te can’t eat us.” The governor smiled, and received another who had come to pay his re- spects. A waltz followed. A black dey from the interior had been following Marie with his eyes. He came forward and spoke in French: “Wil the beautiful one from the north deign to dance this with the dev of a black country?” Marie was startled. He wore a dia- mond collarette, and there were rubies in his sleeves. His coat was plentiful- ly covered with gold lace. “Do you waltz?” she asked in sur- prise. He smiled. “Did you think because I was black COMmiclboook CO ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED