Under Two Flags

Bertie Cecil, of the Guards, loved but two things, his horse, Forest King, and his young brother, Berkeley. True, he had an affair with Lady Guenevere, but he did not love her. At the height of his career, fate dealt him a cruel blow through all three of these affections at once. His brother forged his name to a note, with that of his friend, Lord Rockingham, as endorser. The money lender settled an old score by "painting" his horse just before the great race on which his fortunes were staked, and Forest King was beaten. Through an indiscretion. Lady Guenevere's honor was compromised. The note falling due, Bertie shielded his brother by owning to the forgery and fled the country. Rake, his soldier valet, went with him. Their train was wrecked, and men thought them dead. But they escaped, went to Africa, and joined the French chasseurs, who were fighting the Arabs. Here Bertie met Cigarette, a strange girl, "the Daughter of the Regiment." She loved him. He incurred the enmity of his chief, the Black Hawk, by interfering when the officer would have insulted the wife of the Arab chieftain. For striking his officer he was sentenced to be shot. Cigarette rode through the night with a reprieve, and arriving too late, flung herself upon him as a shield as the rifles spoke. His honor vindicated, he returned home.