Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-03-23


Muller turned hvid with fear, and tho cold
perspiration streaned from his face. He
was bold man enough in q general way,
but this was too much for his nerves.
ut is my mothers voice, it is her very
words!" he called out aloud, and then, DASH
ing his spurs into his horses flanks. he went
like flash away from the accused spot; nor
did lie draw rein till no came to his own
place, ten miles away. Twice the horse fell
IN the darkness. for there was no moon, tho
second time throwing him heavily, but he
only dragged it up with curse, and, spring
ing into the saddle again, fed on as before.
Thus did the man who did not hesitate to
plot and to execute the cruel slaughter Of un-
offending men cover beneath the fancied echo
Of q decd woman's voicei Truly human M
ture Is full Of contradictions.
When the thunder Of the horses hoofs grew
faint Jantje emerged from one Of his hiding
places. and, throwing himself down in the
center Of the dusty road, kicked and rolled
with delight, shaking all the while with an
inward joy that his habits OF caution would
not permit him to give audible vent to. IBIS
mothers voice, his mothers words, !" he quoted
to himself. "How should he know that Jantje
remembers the old woman's voice-ay, and
the words that the devil in her spoke tool
Hee! Heel Heel"
Bessie fed without stopuin9 tin shs raAcbAS
the orange trees in front Of the ve.a...
where, treasured by the lights from the win
dows, she paused to consider. Not that she
was troubled by Jantje's mysterious bowling:
indeed, she was too preoccupied to give it .
second thought What she was debating was
whether she should say anything about her
encounter with Frank Muller. After pausing
for few seconds to pick . branch Of orange
blossom and to become herself generally,
which, not being Historically inclined, she
very soon did, she quietly entered the house
as though nothing had happened. The very
first person she met was John himself, who
had come in by the back way. He laughed
at her orange blossom bouquet, and said that
It was most appropriate. and then proceeded
to embrace her tenderly in the passage; and
indeed he would have been q poor sort Of
lover If he had not. It was exactly at this
juncture that old Silas Croft happened to
open the sitting room door and come full upon
this tender and attractive tableau.
"Well, ! never!' said the old gentleman.
SWhat Is the meaning Of all this Bessiel"
OF course there was nothing for it but to
COAl0 Ia 6uu c4plh4u tu6 l0CtS VI tu0 C6Scs
which John did with much humming and
ha-ing and a general awkwardness of manner
that battles description, while Bessie stood by,
her hand upon her lovers shoulder, blushing
as red as any rose.
The old man listened in silence till John
had finished-a smile upon his face and .
kindly twinkle In his keen eyes
49," he said, "that is what you young
people have been after, is lit l suppose TINT
you want to enlarge your interests in the
farm, eli, joint Well. upon my word, don't
blame you; you might have gone farther and
Jared worse. These sort Of things never come
singly, it seems. had another request for
your hand, my dear, only this afternoon from
that scoundrel Frank Muller, Of all men in
the world" and his face darkened as he said
the name. Il sent him of with q flea in his
ear, can tell you. Had known then what
know now should have referred him to
John. There, there! He is a bad man and a
dangerous man, but let him be. He is taking
plenty of rope and he will hang himself one
of these days. Well, my dears, this is the
best bit of news that have heard for many
q long day. It is time you got married, both
Of you, for it is not right for man to live
alone, or woman either. ! have done it all
my life, and that is the conclusion I have
come to after thinking the matter over some
where about fifty years. Yes, you have my
. consent and my blessing, too: and you VIII
have something more one day before 50 very
| long. Take her. John, take her. have led
rough life, but have seen something OF
women for all Of that, and I tell you that
there Is not a sweeter or a better or q prettiez
woman in south Africa than Bessie Croft,
and in wanting to marry her you have shown
your sense. God bless you both, my dears.
And now, Bessie, come and give your old
uncle kiss I hopa that You won't LET John