The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-11-29

had oppressed and bewildered Albertyne when they frst met. And Miss Bell found young ladies in Bloemfoneein to support her in their glowing but melan- choiy "reminiscences of Port Elizabeth. The victim waited, not impatient, for he knew that events hurrying to crisis would force an explanation, and beyond this he did not go. A modest, single hearted fellow, who had learned such hard experience, did not think for a mo- ment that the rich and beautiful Miss Yates could be his; sentimental also, nevertheless, he was resolved that she should feel his love and know what it cost. That would be a triumph of de- votion which heroes and princes might envy.
 The time drew near. One after another, stalwart diggers reached Bloemfontein, and they asked not for MT. Yates Wood, bat tor Albertyne. The very first showed astonishment and dissatisfaction when re- tered to strangers; and so soon as half dozen had collected they summoned him in a body to explain his position. Alber- tyne defended himself as best he could, but the diggcrs would not accept his plea. and they unanimously consigned MT. Yates to perdition. Two or three went back, growing imprecations, but score remained, and at every hour of the day Albertyne was encircled by a group threateningly anxious to know, all ever again, what he meant by it." All this the poor fellow had forseen, and the end also. After struggling until the diggers charged him with flat treachery, he gave way. Yates instantly named him captain of the troop, commissioned him to buy the best horse in town, and hurried his preparations for starting.
 A trader on his way southward had salted mare-one, that is, which had been bitten by the tsetze ay and recov- cred. Its peculiar virtue would not be precious in the Bechuana country, but such horses must needs be vigorous, and this was young and fast. While Alber- tyne bargained, Miss Yates came by with friend, and the ladies stopped to look. A saited animal is always rough, and its eyes have an odd stare. Said the other maiden, "You are not going to buy that creature at such price2 It looks like fool 1"
 "The better suited to me, Miss Villiers. l am fool"
 "Do you address that statement to me?" Miss Bell asked haughtily.
 The small service did your father is bearing its fruits. 1 thought you might like to know how felt about it so far"
 Miss Bell stared, frowned, and turned away. When Albertyne got home, she was seated on the stoop.
 Now, sir, earnestly beg you to ex- plain these hints and charges"
 The tone was appealing, but i, did not touch his angry mood. Albertyoe SUD- pressed only the brutality and wicked ness of Yates enterprise, giving the old man credit for motives avewable, but frankly relating the trick played on him. self, whither it had led, and what its con- sequences would be to him. For ali this Bell was accountable. But when he had thus vented his passion, Albertyne felt suddenly that the declaration of his love would not harmoniously work in, and paused in bewilderment.
 Miss Bells color had changed several times. She rose.
 "I do not doubt you have told the truth, but swear ii"
 " swearl But don't think am sorry to have obeyed you. At your demand-"l Miss Bell did not wait the explanation, leaving him with a glance he could not read.
 At supper that night Yates casually mentioned project of journeying oward the Harte river on business. Miss Bell took the same easy tone. She had always felt an interest in Kafirs and Kaffir life, but those specimens at Port Elizabeth are 50 evidently bogusi 1t would be delightful to visit them in their kraals, etc. The Batlapins, Yates urged, are scarcely more genuine than the des- picable specimens of the colony. But Miss Bell declared she would content herself with them, pending better oppor- tunities. Not yet alarmed, Yates pointed cut that the country was unpeopled and barbarous, quite unfit for ladies' travel but his daughter replied that many tn ou- sand boer woman had made journeys far longer, more painful, and more peril ous, with no such comforts as she would enjoy.
 You talk about it." said Yates, laugh ing uneasily, as if you had quite made up your mind."
 "So l have, father. will go or you shall not-nor your partyp
 l may pass over the arguments, en- treaties, and threats that occupied each leisure moment while Miss Bell put to- gether her baggage. Yates triedeSery means of persuasion and alarm; Alber- tyne, dismayed, supported him. The young lady's manner had been gentle, if distant, since the explanation, but it hardened again when he begged her to pause. Yates could not now afford to withdraw, for he had advanced large sums to his partners of the Transyaal, who were already trekking. In short, Miss Bell carried her point. The meet ing place of the two divisions was Zuur- fontein, and here Yates proposed to leave her with the Transvaal women who ac- companied their husbands.
 This freak added wagon to the train, but the English party moved so much faster than did the Boer that it reached in advance. This is a lonely