The Argosy, June 1904 — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

520 that L was a clown? I was educated in Paris.” ‘llow strange Lieutenant Fournier did not introduce you! Ite presented almost everybody.” The black dey, who was handsome enough but for his color, twirled his mustache. “The leutenant and I—well, I will not speak, but will imtroduee myself. -Lam Dag El Rag, Prince of Fezzan. I am pasha, king, or what you like. But my title 1s supposed to be sultan.’ “Then I am to dance with a real sul- tan!” said Marie, recovering from her embarrassment and smiling. “T thought sultans, when they wished to dance with a lady, ran up and knocked her down, dragged her by the hair, and then hired some one clse to do the dancing.” Those in the immediate vicinity turned as the Sultan of Fezzan let out a ringing laugh. a Excellent! ” he eried with enthusi- asm. “IL like you. IL might perhaps some day avail myself of your prescrip- tion, but I promise you that I shall never knock you down or pull your hair. As Lalready have three wives, [ assuine that you are not anxious to share their lot?” “'Three—wives!” “Yes; we do that in our country. Are you familiar with A frica : ~~ «This is my first visit.” “Is the elderly gentleman your father?” “No, my tnele. The other is my cousin.” Fournier, who really had Marie in charge for the evening, having usurped that place of responsibility, bowed haughtily to the sultan as he passed. “ Bee pardon,” said the sultan. “TI have to request from you, .licutenant, the permission to waltz w ith madame.” ‘Tf madame wishes,” answered lour- ner. “ T have consented,” said Marie. “ But——” The lieutenant came close and whispered: “Jt is not econ- sidered proper for a young gitl to dance with strangers without the permission of her escort.” Marie became the woman at once. “Sir,” she said, “ | am not a young PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED THE ARGOSY. girl, I am married, and mistress of my own acts.” “ Beg pardon, madame. know,” said Fournier. Then as he went away chagrined, he twisted his mustache. “By Heaven,” he said, “I do not envy Rougiere so much! She ean take care of herself, that beauty!” But he had his own dance with Marie. and then the governor himself, hearing her name spoken all over the place, honored her by taking her the first time he went on the floor. Ile was not an ungraceful dancer, this rugged warrior, but he could not go through the entire dance. But—to go on the dancing floor with the gov- ernor-gencral! It settled Maric’s status at once, and she was the queen of the ball. During a lull, when the band was playing with. brass instruments and there was no dancing, Fournier went to fetch Marie some refreshments. As he approached, he found Alfred and the Sultan of Fezzan speaking to her. M. Rougi¢re was walking toward them. “JT have been counting noses,” he said. “ That is, the noses of nations. I find almost every one represented ex- cept America.” “Oh, there are several here,” said Iournier. ‘“ Not officials.” “No, the consul will undoubtedly ap- pear. «Ah, here he comes now.” A tall, thin man, dressed in the con- ventional black of the United States representatives, entered and was well received. “ Ieavens!” “Who is that? ” Atter the consul there entered a giant in the uniform of colonel of cay- alry. Plain though his American uni- form was as compared to some of those in the palace, yet there was a majesty about it and the way he wore it that made him stand out before all the others as a man olf might and im- portance. Ile was voung and handsome. cheyrons on his breast, spoke of bravery. duced him. The governor-general took his hand I did not Americans exclaimed Jfournier. The and a medal, The consul imntro- MIG OO CON CO