Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-03-30
THE TFAEEDY ON The MOOT.
BY Pail ROBINSON.

ADOy NnSIe, anOy CaIho fOiSS
from the thorn bush on tine other side,
ard Kafir Joe sprsng to bis feet.
"Inkos' Umnyatslata," said he to
himself, raising his arms in the salute
OF q respectful attention, and went
bounding, after the manner OF the
Ksfir, whether wild or tame, down to
the river side. He was soon In the boat,
and, pulling stthe rope, quickly gained
the other side.
Now hikes Umnystslats, being trans
lated, means Voice Of-Honey, Esquire,
for ''VOice- Of Heney" was the name
which the Ksfirs, who nickname every
European they meet, had given to Mr..
Hugh BentInck, Of the Farm on the
Moot. With him, on the farm, was
STAYING Just now-and had been for
three mOntbs-sn Old schOOlfellow and
college chum, the Inkos' Ksloonga, or
Dare Devil E-quire." This was the
Kafir equivalent for Mr. Alan Cumnor,
late OF Grsy Town, a young gentleman
who had made n complete failure Of his
colonial career, and having now sold
his land and stock for what they would
fetch, Ras reported to be returning to
England, where prospects, it was said,
had suddenly openrd to him.
Now Hugh BeDtiuck was married to
one of the prettiest, most heartless
women that ever wore u wedding-ring.
But be thought her absolute perfection.
Ouce only in bis life had Hugh seen
fault in her, aud that was when she in
sisted on riding a sick horse rather than
forego a visit 10 q BOer peddlers cart
that was halted some five miles off in q
thorn bush. The horse died the same
night But all FlOrry said was that she
was not altogether sorry, as she thought
the horse had taken to shying at water
OF late, CumnOr, who was at the farm
At the time, rode over the next morn
ing to Gray Town and brought back
Pearl, the hest horse In Natal, rs q pres
ent for his charming hOstes5-a parting
present.
"For must really be otto England"
he said. 81 came for - day and have
been here three months and more"
But not day too long, old man."
said BentInck; Il wish you could stay
here altogether"
Fuf'the husband WAS the only man in
the colony why did not know that Alan
Gunner was in love with his wife.
Even the katir4 about the farm knew
Il, She used To- be called "the flower
bird" but now was the "InkoSikaSa
U,AmP'-"the lady with two husbands"
But at Last even Bentinck knew it and
this is how the truth came out.
1t was the day before Alan CumnOr's
going. He had been absent for four
days-Eaving ridden TO the landro1t's
Office on the Transvaal border To make
arrangements, as he wished TO travel by
land, for conveyance by way OF the
Free State down into the Cape Colony.
Hugh also had been away, on his
friends business, TO purchase some
horse gear that was needed. But aS be
vas riding down through the thorn his
horse strained ITSELF and he left It at the
Ktir post lodge and walked home the
last three miles on foot.
It was already darkenlng when he
reached home, but seeing the light IN
his dining room be walked across he
garden, making 8 short cut, and was IN
the set of stepping on to the veranda
when he saw his wife, FlOrry, With her
arms round Alan CumnOrs neck. The
shock was more than he could bear,
ard he staggered a step or two AMI sank
TO the ground.
The noise startled the lovers, for
tlOrIy came TO the door. Gunner tol-
lowed her.
at was only your farcy, darling!
There Was nothing there"
'Ob," sad she, with 3 rob OF relief;
II could have swOrH | heard Hugh's
voice. IL sounded to me "a IL he was
dying, and cried: Good GOdn"
Nonsense" was the reply.
And they remained where they were,
in the full light.
"At the Moot, then" said he. al
will wait at the ferry TILL you come"
AT the MOoi," she replied, and then
continued: How much did you say
Uncle Foster had died WORTH"
"AbOut twelve thousand, and with
that, my darling, We can be happy To.
gCther for all Dur lives, in America, or
Australia, or anywhere"
al will CD anywhere with you" she
said; but shall bring my dOwry with
me-" And then she laughed low-that
her lovers blood should not curdle st
that laugh! For those diamonds that
Hugh always calls mine are worth, he
ssys, some thousands
And Hugh, lying there on the ground
attheir very feet in the shadow OF the
veranda steps, felt the words burning,
one by one, into bis brain, like drops Of
melting lead. And then they went in
side sgain, the shutters were closed, and
Hugh lay there. At last, on his hands
and knees, he crawlsd away like some
wounded thing. His dog saw him aud
Iushed at him, thinking he was some
wild beast; but he muTmured its name
snd IL went along by his side, licking
his fsee, and whimperlng itI poor, pa
thttic sympathy. Then Hugh raised
himself on his knees, and after awhile
got on his feet, aud, with his dog beside
him, walked round to the front Of the
hCuse and called out to hisserysnts.
Dogs began TO bark. Ksfirs shouted
In response. The front door vas thrown
opeu-snd there stOod his wife, radiant
with smiles OF welcome.
GOOD gracious said she. "What Is
the matter with YOU? You are all dust
and look so pale!
ats nothing" he said. az got fall
at the Slip-and l am afraid the horse
Is more hurt than / am-but I'll 60 tO
bed. Dead or alive, l have to be at that
sale tomorrow at ThompSOn's-HullO,
Alan" he broke of, rs CumnOr ap,
prOsehed. ann sorry to BE- like this
the last night you're here-but I'm bit
sbaken-snd s. l must be over at
-ThOmpson's by noon to morrow, Unjust
he of to bed-but Forty viii look after
Ton-snd I'll see you before you CO."
The wretched wife did not even act
her part she forSOs .r. 20 .,, e%pdole and
- ss nm Of her lover aud Tomorrow
eIopeDeDt. .u,aDbared ba, ,,,.u
-. LS on eoIpg 10 bin found her husband
with Is ;s sISssd sses S % s svids sa.;y
A MI morning Hugh was the ITS