Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-02-17

"iIullo, Miss Bessie, he sail, ''lere comes
your friend"
"Bo;Aor.T said Bessie, stamping her foct
AID then, with a quick look, "Why do you
call him my friend.'
Il imagine that he considers himself so. to
judge from the number of times a week he
comes to see you" he answered, with a shrug
AT any rate, he isn't mine, so l am off
shooting. Good-by. l hope that you will
enjoy yourself"
You are not kind" she said, in low voice.
and turning her back on him.
In another moment lie was gone, and Frank
Muller had arrived.
How do You do, Miss Bessies" he said
jumping from his horse with the rapidly of
man who had been accustomed to rough
riding all his life. "Where is the 'rooibaatj e'
off to!7
"Capt. Mel is going out shooting" she said,
coidly
"Ah, SO much the better for you and me,
Miss Bessie! We can have pleasant talk.
Where is that black monkey, Jantje! Here,
.|aEtje, take my horse, you ugly devil, and
mind you look after him, or I'll cut the liver
out of you.'
jamie took the horse, with q forced grin Of
appreciation at the joke, and led him of
rOurd the house.
Al don't think that Janje likes you, Mein-
heer Muller" said Bessie, spitefully, "and 1
don't wonder at it if you talk to him like
that. He told me the other day that he had
known you for twenty years." and she looked
at him inquiringly.
This casual remark produced remarkable
effect on the visitor, who turned color be-
meath his tanned skin.
"He lies, the black hound" he said, "and
I'll put a bullet through him if he says it
again! What should know about him or
he about mel Can 1 keep count of every
miserable man monkey meet~ and he NUT
tered string of Dutch oaths into his long
beard.
"Reaily, meinheerw said Bessie.
"Why do you call me 'meinheerrn he
asked, turning SO fiercely on her that she
started back step. IL tell you l am not q
Boer. lam an Englishman. My mother was
English; and besides, thanks to Lord Carnar-
Won, we arc all English now"
u don't see why you should mind being
thought Doer," she said, coolly; "there aro
some very good people among the Beers, and,
besides, you used to be great patriot"
@Used to be-yes; and SO the trees used to
way, but now they bend to the south, for the
wind has turned By and by it may set tn
the north aSain-that is another matter
then re -,,aii seer
Bessie mas.o ITO answer. beyond pursuing up
her pretty mouth and slowly picking a leaf
from the vine that trailed overhead.
The big Dutchmau touk off his hat and
strosei his beard perplcxedly. Evidently he
was meditatinG something that he was afraid
to say Twice ho fixed his cold eyes ON
Bess,e's fair face, and twice looked down
again. The second time she took alum.
excuse me one minute" she said, an,
made as though to enter the house.
"Wacht cen beeche" (wait bit), he ejacu
lated, breaking into Dutch in his agitation
and even catching bold of her white dres
with his big hand
She drew the dress from him with quicl
twist Of her 1.-the form, and turned and face,
him.
II beg your pardon" she said, in ton
that could not he called encouraging; @yo'
werc going to say something"
| "Yes-ah, that isl was going to say
und he paused.
Bessie stood with polite look Of expecta
ton on her face. and waited.
u was going to say-that, In short, that
want to marry your
"Oh!" said Bessie, with start
Listen" lie went on, hoarsely, his word
gathering force as he proceeded, as is the wa,
| even with uqcultured psople whom they peal
| from the heart @Listcni love you, Bessie
have loved you for three years. Ever,
time have seen you have loved you more
| Don't say me nay-you don't know how
love you. I dream Of you every night; some
times dream that hear your dress rustling
and then you come and kiss me, and il Is lik
being in heaven"
Here Bessie made gesture Of disgust.
There, have offended you, but don't b
angry with me. am very rich, Bessis
there is the place here, AID then have fou
farms I'm Lydenburg and 10 600 morgen up II
Waterberg, and 1000 head Of cattle, beside
sheep and horses and money in tho bank
You shall have everything your own way,
be went on, seeing that the inventory Of hl
| goods did not appear to impress her-Severy
thing The house shall be English fashion;
viii build snsw dt-kame (sitting room), ans
It shall b furnished from Natal. There,
love you, say. You won't say no, vii
youf" and he caught her by the hand
| am very much obliged to you, Mr.. Null
ler," answered Besuie, matching away be-
hand; @but-in short, cannot marry you
no. 1t h no NE, cannot, indeed. There
please say no more, hers comes my uncle
Forget al about Il, Nr. Muller"
Her suitor looked up; there was old Hila
Croft coming, sure enough, but be was som
way on and walking slowly.
| SDo you mean itr be aid beneath hi
breath.
| sYes, yes, Of course mean It. Why d
you force me to repeat itr
| 1T b that id rooibaatje," he broke out
@You used not to be like this before. Ours
| him, the white hvsred Englishmant I WI
be even with him yet; and tell You what
d, Bessie; you shall marry mo whether yos