The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-06-17

-Dut EedCtAoh 10 Oui eoV hNNiy W - -
when the imagination has to be excited by
the will. and in most artistic temperaments
the will is not particularly strong, except
when it acts spasmodically.
l found all originality of design passing
from me; no picture worth reproducing
rose before my mental vision, and my very
power of execution seemed failing. My
health, too, began to give way. just then
| read a glowing account of the Kimberly
diamond fields In fit of mingled hope
fulness, restlessness and dependency, re-
solved to try my fortune there. | pictured
to myself returning to England million
aire or dying in some tragic manner.
OF course you know how it all ended.
worked hard, and hoped, and hoped. |
got some small diamonds and very severe
attack of fever. Then | tried farming,
and invested my money in a wool-washing
business, but was not sharp enough look
ing after the agreement as to the supply OF
water that was to be allowed to me from
the little river which ran through my farm,
and, after the deeds were signed, the man
| bought it of sold the right of taking
More than half the water to farmer to
whom he sold property higher up. |
went 10 law, and lost my case and great
deal of money. Then | tried transport
riding, and lost heavily again, owing to
various diseases in my oxen.
don't mean to blame my luck, as many
men do To great extent man makes
his own luck. 50 that each misfortune
which struck me disappointed me more
and more with myself
Then came the finishing blow. | came
across an old English newspaper, and in it
saw the advertisement Of Lueys marriage,
or, should say, the announcement of her
impending marriage. Il was TO be grand
affair, and there were great many details.
After that went down steadily. am
speaking too openly 10 deny that | often
helped myself on the downward journey,
when | ought 10 have known better
Yet | have never parted with her letter,
nor with the belief that, though her seem
ing faith may be given to another, her
true faith Is mine and mine alone forever,
a. she wrte
Having finished these words, Frank
Heatheose stood up wearily. | took hls
hand and pressed il, and soon after he
law down to sleep | lay down too. and
watched the flicker Of the FIRE for hong
time, thinking over the story | had heard.
I could not sleep, and presently stood
up and went softly over 10 where my
strange acquaintance lay.
He Was living with his rug hung par
tally of. and with oae hand under his
tfead. The other lay on his breast. and
his shirt being open ! could sce = ribbon
round his ncok attached TO = small bag,
which was partially concealed BY his hand
and from which portion Of an old letter
prosrudcd. could see It's worn and dis
ooloresi edges by the light Of the moon
which had lately risen aad the rays d
which fell full On his haggaFd YET refined
face. aud a. | watched the expression oi
Il change, according A. the dream which
was passing before him troabled bis slam-
ber. I thought os how the RAYS Of the same
moon thar shed her light on him might
b. playing on the iaxarioas couch of the
wuaaan he had Gath In even shoagh faith
ie-Sness.
The next morning | indacei him te
leave his companion and conc with me
was writing 3 book. and ! assured him
and truly, that his artistic talent, Of which
| coavineed myself before engaging hln
would be Invaluable TO me in Illustrating
Il. nv own artistic productions being rath
eF unsatisfactory.
Tie proved very agreeAhle companion
aud enjoyed my waDdeEIngs much mor'
affez he became my guest
About two months after my meeting with
Frank Heaiheote, We two were riding ia
advance &c the wagon over the brOw ot 1
wooded hill, from whence We looked down
q gorge and over wide expanse of ioresi
which stretched below Us Stop a Eao
ment. said Heaihoote, What i Il thai
this scene reminds nac Of? IL secms ;,
familiar to me,
Then suddenly he exclaimed a b,
Jovel dreamed Of this plaee years Ags
when was boy, only that there we're |
naniber Of elephants ranging about among
the brnshwood aud sramping il dowa.
There werc numbers of elephants her
until lately, | said; Il, IS a curious coinci
dence, and We rode ON.
AZ the bottom of the gorge We crossed |
small stream. oH-ssddled. and watched th'
horses browsing until the wagon came uI
and crossed the rivulct, when the oxen wer
oaispanned. Night came ON and We ha'
supper, saw To the horses and oxen beins
settled for the night, and then sat down b,
the FIRE. II was very dark, for there wa
oyershadowing trees
Presently We heard the creaking souns
made by wagon moving at some distance
II was evidently coming from the oPposit'
direction TO the way we had come, and afte
a while we heard not only it but the tram
Of the horses, the rider being evidently
little in advance of the wagon. The horse
and rider passed into partial view for mo
ment, irradiated by sudden fame tina
sprang up from the FIRE, The solitary fg
ure had something unusual about is ap
pearanee which excited my curiosity.
stood up and walked toward it, IL wa
woman mounted on handsome horse
and with led horse BY her side. She sa
with one hand on the animals eruppei
leaning back and half turning to see th
wagon 20 through the ditch.
STEADY with the break there, she eriec
in Boer lingo, as the foremost oxen too
the water, and the numbering wagon slowl
slid down the incline 4 handsome iguT
she made as she sat there carelessly, wit
her wide sombrero hat shading her fac
completely from the flashes Of light tn;
came from our neighboring campfire
| walked over to her, and she asked,
the language she had used before, whetht
there was good outspan on the other sid
| could tell from her mode of speech thl
she was English, so answered in our con
mon tongue.
She laughed pleasantly and thanked m
then eantered through the rivulet, and
heard her give the order to outspan. Thel
did not appear to be any European wit
her.
After my return to our fire, good de
of speculation went ON between HeathcoI
and myself as to this unusual apparitio
We saw her campfire lighted, and cou
make out that she saw to her horses beir
fed and blanketed, and to her oxen BEN
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