The Lamp in the Desert

im. He sauntered in through the verandah in search of a drink which he expected to find in the room which Stella during her brief sojourn had made more dainty and artistic than the res

fierce sunlight filtering through gave the room a strange

for Tommy, the latter obviously bills, and under these one more, also for Tommy in a woman's clear round writing. It came from Srinagar, and Monck stood for a second or two holding it in his hand and staring straight out before him with eyes that saw not. Just for those s

own correspondence. One of the letters was from England.

nt in the all-absorbing interest of a prison chaplaincy. They had not met for over five years, but they maintained a regular correspondence, and every month brought to Everard Monck the thin envelope directed

t, stopped short upon the threshold and stared in shocked am

Monck! What's the ma

startled moment that Monck's face had the look of a man who had received a deadly wound. The im

ve composure became apparent, making Tommy wonder if his senses had tricked him. He looked at the

smile about his mouth. "What are yo

She isn't much of a correspondent now-a-days. Where are they now? Oh, Srinagar. Lucky beggar-Dacre! Wish he'd taken me along as well a

ss; but even in his most familiar moments his manner was not without a certain deference. His respect for him was unbounded, and his pride in

ow his unreserved confidence upon him. Probably to no man in the world could he have opened his secret soul. He was not of an expansive nature. But Tommy occupied an inner plac

to be going. I shall be interested to hear what your sister thinks of Kashmir. I wen

been?" said Tommy. "I believe you'

m on the shelf, Tommy," he said, "w

lf," said Tommy quickly. "Y

ned to go. "I doubt if that consideration wou

l the women had left for the Hills, and the increasing heat was beginning to make life a burden. The younger officers did their best to be cheerful, and one of them, Bertie Oakes, a merry, brainless youngster, even proposed an impromptu dance to enliv

looked round for Monck as was his custom, but finding that he and Captain Ermste

he verandah to read his sister's letter. The light from the red-shaded lamp streamed across the p

introduced to his bride. It was evident that he was anxious to display his new possession, and Tommy frowned a little over that episode, realizing fully why Stella touched so lightly upon it. For some reason his dislike of Dacre was increasing rapidly, and he read the letter very cr

than once and each time with growing affection. "He is like an immense and kindly watch-dog," she said in one place. "Every material comfo

d left Murree after a very brief stay and pressed on into Kashmir, travelli

he eternal snows. She told of the River Jhelum, swift and splendid, that flowed beside the way, of the flowers that bloomed in dazzling profusion on every side-wild roses such as she had never dreamed of

life. Physically, she declared, she had never felt so well; but she di

t him subtly. Why did she say so little of her companion in the wilderness? No casual rea

eam. "I wonder if I am really asleep, Tommy," she wrote, "if I shall wake up in the middle of a dark night and find that I have never left England after all. That is

lla; "but it is the Heaven of the Orient, and I am not sure that I have any part or lot in it. I believe I shall feel myself an interloper for all time. I dread to turn each corner lest I should meet the Angel with the Flaming Sword and be driven forth into the desert. If only you were here, Tommy, it would be more real to me. But Ralph is just a part of the dream. He is almost like an Eastern potentate himself with his endless cigarettes and his wonderful capacity for doing nothing all day long without being bored. Of course, I am not bored, but then no one ever feels bored in a dream. The lazy well-being of it all has the effect of a narcotic so far as I am

Monck's footsteps coming through the gate of the compound, but he was not paying any attent

ah and began to move along it, did he turn his head and

said, "isn't it

. Infernally hot, isn't it? I'v

t the window-frame. "I hope she

d not convey to Tommy the idea that h

e doesn't really say. I wish they had been content to stay at

are they now?

hey are camping in the wilderness, but they will have to move before long. Dacre's leave will be u

's voice still sounded as if he

I'm pretty sure of one thing." He spoke with abrupt force. "S

curt, dry laugh

ut I know-I can't help knowing-that she doesn't care tw

s or actions at any time," said Monck. "

in a mood to marry any one. She'd probab

ion immediately. "Think so?" he said in a voice that sounded very ironical. "Then possibly she h

en you had!" sa

s short, sardonic laugh. "

rattled the scorched twigs of the creeping rose on the verandah with a desolate sound, as if ske

evening contained news of an urgent business matter which only I can deal with. It has come at a rather unfortunate moment as Barnes, the policeman, brought some disturbing informa

suddenly shone with enth

y case it is due to me, but Dacre had his turn first. The Chief didn't want to grant it, bu

otested. "That Mission business! It's the very thing you'd most e

more pressing," Mo

s face that evening, and swift concern swallowed his astonishment. "You had

e got to go. The Chief has granted me eight weeks and I am off

t'll be quick work." Then, his sympathy coming uppermost again

lder. "And you must take care of yourself, Tommy," he said. "Don't get up to

on. "But it will be pretty beastly without you. I hate a lonely life, and Stell

ulder and turned away. "I'm not going for a pleasure trip

ame to Tommy, all-unbidden, a curious, wandering memory of his friend's face on that same night, with eyes alight and ardent, looking