The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-11-29
ALBERrYNE's WooING.

 Albert Albertyne was the unluckiest of diggers when l knew him on the dia- mond-6elds. He had not even the chance to be always unfortunate. When the tide ebbed so far that he must needs think of "pack and gang" it flowed very little. Such fate stirs the mildest man to bitterness, when lazy, worthless neighbors are finding treasure all around. Despairing at length, Albertyne enlisted in volunteer force, served through the Transkei war, and returned. But there was no change in his luck, and he gladly joined the Kimberley Light Horse" when Zulu troubles threatened. There Albertyne distinguished himself, but no profit came of that besides camp renown and ipAuence. should mention that his was one of the old French-Boer families, seated by Caledon.
 Alter the disbandment of the Kimber- ley Light Horse he again tried the fields One day. an ex-officer of the corps in- vited him to look in, and said, "Clinch has just made me an odd proposal. It seems that Monkoroane, head chief of the Batlapins, wants to raise force of yeomanry among his people. He has
 
 ant. The thing doesn't suit me now, but you might like it."
 "Iwould pull the devils tail, sir, to get out of thisl Whats the pay?"
 Why, that seems to be speculative. Monkoroane has no money, but he offers horses and cattle in vague sort of way that should interpret as unlimited. After three years he gives his command ant hundred square miles of veldt, or a pretty landscape about that size. didn't go into figures"
 /" Thank you, sir; anyhow, I'll see Clinch."
 This parsonage was the chief Batlapin trader, and business agent of Monkoro- aue. In general terms he repeated to Albertyne the assurance of merry life and princely gift at the end of his en- gagement. The digger cared nothing for international law, and little for ab- stract humanity, but he asked what foe threatened Monkoroane on a sudden. The trader vowed with paths that there was none, saving the broken Bastard tribes, who were always giving trouble. Albertyne did not commit himself, but he begged the refusal of the appointment
 Leaving this conference, he turned into Swinney's bar, under Bultfontein tree. Betwixt despair and the reckless habit learned in campaign, the instinct of work had died out of him. Drink had no fascination, but an idle man who seeks company in a toiling settlement must needs look for it among drinkers in work time. At Swinney's he found comrade of the Horse who had been returned as missing. Their greeting was warmed with Cape Smoke and memoirs of the stirring days. Albertyne asked if his friend had recovered his pay. "I am sending in my papers," said Wood, but they tell me 1 shall be lucky if govern ment cashes up within twelve months |; and then, hope, few pounds won't be much to this digger any way. I'll put you up to good thing, mate Just stick by me I'll bang the Colesberg KopJe Lands the thing Twig Drop tp
 {" If lands the thing, Pm not outside. What do you say to hundred square miles for landscape before ones door Bang that !'
 " say there's diamondiferous strata hereabouts! What's your prospect?"
 The smoke had mounted to either brain. Albertyne told the chiefs offer.
 Well now, as one may say, this is in tercepted despatches You wouldn't hght against comrades for an off-chance Come over to our side, old chap-r
 "l think, gentlemen" said a voice be. hind, you had better discuss these things in private"
 "They looked round angrily. The speaker sat close at their back, tall old man, wei dressed, whose keen eyes twinkled in a sun-dried face.
 If you was mouse, MT. Yates" said Wood, "blessed if there's cat in these parts could poupce youl l thought you was at Port Elizabeth"
 My tent is handy,". said Yates, rising and they followed him through Bult. fontein camp. lust beyond the outskirts stood wagon, with a dy-tent beside it. Albertyne had supposed that man who was evidently Woods colleague in a shady business must needs be shady him. self; but everything here betokened sub stance. Four good horses were tethered by the wagon, new cart for driving stood near; the oxen were sleek, a coolie ser. want busted himself with pots and pans several blacks, decent of appearance lounged about.
 "Enter ]" said Yates courteously, stand ing by the tent door. Albertyne stopped in the low opening, and met stare o rebuke that brought him to. A very beautiful woman had been stretched in 8 long wicker chair, and she turned tc frown at the intruder. That radiance within tent at noon in climates where - the sun shines 6ercely we'll suited hel style-dark eyes, even brows, white skin large, handsome features. The fault. attendant were unseen absence o healthy color harmoni1ed with a translu cent glow which admits no shadow Albertyne had never beheld such beauty It dazzled him, and he backed withou, apology, upsetting Wood over the tent rope. The language of that comrade though jocular, was peculiarly ill-fitted for ladies' hearing Albertyne jumped or him as he struggled and stopped hi. mouth. Meanwhile Yates looked in "Mv dear0 said hS renrov;nolv Ul