THE CROWNING TRIUMPH

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8102, 30 August 1904, Page 4

THE CROWNING TRIUMPH

of modern medicine lies in the pleasantness of- its great remedies. This is exemplified "by the unparalleled popularity of California Byrup of Figs, the pleasant natural laxative of which millions of bottles are sold every year. It- is made to do pleasantly, gently, naturally, tbat for which violent purgatives ■wer© too often used with harmful effect* •upon the system. It is a tonic, a strengthener, as well as a cleanser of the liver, kidneys and bowels, and its use may, be discontinued as soon as the organs are cleansed and corrected. Of chemists everywhere, ls 6d and 2s 3d. 9

that he had betteT tako shelter in case some other person chanced to approach the window. He climbed to the top of the bank above the well, and found there shelter in the grass. As he settled down, | the square opened again and a white hand ! appeared for an instant. He took it as a [ sigual that he ha*_, done well and was I content. | Slowly the hours trailed -by, but the j dusk came at last, and then the gate opened, * and a girl, soft of foot, crossed with, a i pitcher to the well. . " Peace be with you," she said softly. "" And with you," he answered. He climbed* cautiously down, and saw the white of her teeth as she smiled. "My mistre&s rides to-night," she said, as she lifted the pitcher to her head and balanced it with one hand. "Wait here a little longa-, and if Allah wills it will be as Allah wills." " Allah is merciful — and I have eaten but a little since morning." She laughed softly and sibilan£l.y as she went, but oame back presently with food and drink, a flask of Chianti and a dish of pillau. He sniffed the garlic and hesitated. "My mistress hath eaten of the same," said the giri, noting his hesitation. "Be not afraid, it is not poisoned." "It was not the poison,'* he said, taking a mouthful, " but the flavour of the garlic | — some ladies do not like it." i " Think you," she said with scorn, "my ; lady's hose will be approaching your lips ! This is no love-making. Be sure if that is your thought it would be ai weli if you took poison. There are otner ...deaths, not so pleasant." " There is danger in the ride then?" "You were told- that by Assa.m," ehe said, impatiently, "and you grow weak already." "I am strong again, thanks to that excellent pillau. Of course I know now, but Assam aaid very little." "The wiser tie." " He said nothing -concerning the -distance we would ride." "You will learn in Allah's time." "Neither did be say. if weapons were necessary." "He was afraid ,to' frighten his bird. Everything will be provided even to a. change of clothes, though it was a good thing he did when he sent you garbed like -a Giaour. Stir not from here now, for the guards are planed below, and at the signal enter the gate." She disappeared. " The guards are placed below — are they," he muttered. "Wnat mad venture is this, and who is Assam?" He peered up at the bank as if meditating an escape, but there was a garden Jjeyond, and there would be little hope for a stranger found wandering at night, in troublous Salonica. As he ftesitated he saw ioa- a second a light at the window, and the memory of tho feee rushed back upon- him. He crossed to the gate, entered, and found himself in a paved oourt with the white wall facing him. xie remembered the fallen flower, stooped amd picked it up. As* he straightened up a small hand closed on his axm, and with a sharp "hist" in his ■ ear ho permitted himself to be led. Through a paved yard they went to a gate, which was ope'ued to a gentle tap by someone who closed it after them and followed across a dark court under an archway dimly outlined, into another oourt, whose walls they hugged to escape the light from a casement; next down a long passage paved with round stones — then swiftly along a garden path to a doorway. Keys were thrust into his hand. He unlocked the door,' and heard the stamp of a horse's hoof. The girl who had conducted him lit an oil lamp, and by the dim spluttering light he saw two horses with men's saddles. She pointed to a pile of clothes with a sharp injunction to him to be quick. He found a military cloak, turban, ahd high boots of soft leather which fastened above the knee, and luckily the soft leather stretched to his feet. His own boots he placed, in the pockets of his new great coat. " Why do you do that?" asked a strange voice of singular' softness'.

He looked at the dark figure huddled in voluminous wrappings, in tho hope of settling his doubts ag to whether it was tho lady of tbe lattice. "I might be traced by my boots if I left them, lady, and I have an idea that it would not be good for me." •*•;• "It would -be bad," she saM gravely. "Lead forth the horses." He led them out, and following her, went on to yet another gate, when they were in an open road. ,The lady took tho bndie oi ohe of the horses from him. swung it over the head of the animal, then before, he could help, was in the saddle sitting astride. He mounted, and she, without further ado, , went off at- a walk into the night. With the whispered injunction in his ears frcm the girl of the well that he was to keep his love-making for another time, when they both might ha^e more leisure*, he rode after, still wondering what it was all about-. The air was delightfully fresh, the horse moved freely beneath • him, and he felt a j brace of revolvers in the holsters. There was a flask of wine under his bolt, the flavour of a good meal still in his .mouth, a-nd there was a more or less pretty girl for a companion. He laughed soitly, but not too softly for her ear. "It is better to laugh at th© end of a journey," she said. He ranged up alongside, but she pushed on with the haughty suggestion that it would be well for him to keep his place. This snub gaive him some thought, but before he had made up his mind how to take it, she urged her horse to a, canter, and he had other things to think of. About a mile on at the top of a hill she drew rein to breathe her horse. " See yonder LightA' she said, pointing. "A ptar." "A fire on the mountain. When we reach that, if Allah will, we are at the end oi the journey." " A pleasant night's ride," he said. She turned her head' to look at him, and he saw the flush of her eyes. " I have heard," she said, slowly, " tha* fear sometimes makes men light-headed. The setting sun to-morrow will find us stiU in the saddle—Kind if you find any pleasure in vhe ride tell me, and I will double your pay." " Oh I am to be paid, am I," he muttered in English. " What is that you mumble?" she asked, sharply. " I was assuring myself," he said in Turkish, "that I would make sure of my full