Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-02-03

eni speaking III Il low, fun voice, with Just a
slight South African accent, that is taking
enough in a pretty woman. Whereupon
Bessie broke out with history of their ad-
venture, appealing to her companion for con-
firmation at intervals.
Meanwhile her sister, jess, stood quite still
and silent, and it struck Capt Mel that her
face was tho most singularly impassivs one
he had ever seen. 1t never changed, even
when her sister told how the ostrich rolled on
her and nearly killed her, or how they finally
subdued the foe. Dear me" he thought to
himself, what a very remarkable womanl
She can't have much heart" But just as he
thought it the girl looked up, and then he
saw where the expression lay. 1t was i'll
those remarkable eyes. Impassive as her face
was, the dark eyes We're alight with life and a
sort of excitement that made them shine
gloriously. The contrast between the shining
eyes and the inlpassive face beneath them
struck him as so extraordinary as to be al
most uncanny; and, as a matter of fact. it
was doubtless both unusual and remarkable.
"You have had wonderful escape, but l
am sorry for the bird" she said at last.
"Why!" asked John.
because we were great friends. l was the
only person who could manage him."
"Yes," put in Bessie, "the savage brute
would follow her about like dog. 1t was
just the oldest thing l ever saw. But, come
on, We must be getting home; it's growing
dark. MOUTH tmedicine)-addressing the
Kaffr in Zulu-"help Capt. Mel on to his
horse. Be careful that the saddle does not
twist round; the girths may be loose"
thus adJured, John, with tho help OF the
Zulu, clambered into his saddle, an example
l,Jx
more set off through the gathering darkness.
Presently he became aware that they were
passing up a drive bordered by tall blue gums,
and next minute tho barking Of q large dog
and the sudden appearance Of lighted windows
told him that they had reached the house.
At the door-or, rather, opposite to it, for
there was a veranda in front-they stopped
and got off their horses. As they did SO, out
of the house there came shout Of welcome,
and presently in tho doorway, showing out
clear against tho light, appeared a strik-
ing and, in its way, most pleasant figure
He-for it was a mail-was very tall, or
rather, he had been very tall Now he was
much bent with age and rheumatism. His
long white hair hung low upon his neck, and
fell back from a prominent brow. The top
of the head was quite bald. like the tonsure of
a priest, and shone and glistened In the lamp
light, and round this oasis the thin white
locks fell down. The face was shriveled like
the surface Of a well kept apple, and, like an
apple, rosy red. The features were aquiline
and well marked, the eyebrows still black
and very bushy, and beneath them shone q
pair of grey eyes. as keen and bright as
hawks. But for all its sharpness, there was
nothing unpleasant OF fierce about the face
On the contrary, it was pervaded by a re-
markable air of good nature and shrewlness
For all the rest, the man was dressed in rough
tweed clothes, tall riding boots, and held a
broad briinmed Boer hunting hat in his
hand. Such was tho outer man Of old Silas
Croft, one of the most remarkable men in the
Transvaal, as John Mel first saw him.
as that you, Capt. Nielr roared out the
stentorian voice. 1.-THE natives said you were
coming. A welcome to you'll I am glad to
see you-very glad Why, what is the mat
ter with yous" lie went on as the Zulu Mouti
ran to help him of his horse.
matter, Mr.. Croftr answered John;
swhy. the matter is that your favorite os-
trich has nearly killed me and your niece
here, and that have killed your favorite os-
trich."
Then followed explanations from Bessie,
during which he was helped of his horse and
into the house.
ut serves me right" said the old man.
ITO think Of it now, just to think Of It'll
Well, Bessie, my love, thank God that you
escaped-ay, and you, too. Capt. Mel Here,
| you boys, take the Scotch cart and q couple
Of oxen, and 60 and fetch the brute home.
We may as well have the feathers of him, at
any rate, before the aasvogels (vultures) tear
him to bits"
After he had washed himself and tended
his injuries with arnica and water, John man.
aged to get into tho principal sitting room,
where supper was waiting. 1t was a very
pleasant room, furnished in European style,
and was carpeted with mats made Of spring
buck skins In the corner was u piano, and
by it a bookcase, filed with the works Of
standard authors, tho property, as John
rightly guessed, Of Bessie's sister, jess.
Supper went OF pleasantly enough, and
after it was over the two girls sang and
played while tho men smoked. And hero q
fresh surprise awaited him. for aftor Bessie.
who had now apparently almost recovered
from her manling, had played piece or two
cssditably nough, JeR, who 80 far had been
nearly silent, sat down to the piano. She did
not do this willingly, indeed, for It was not
until her patriarchal uncle had insisted in
his ringing, CHEEKY voice that she should
| let Capt Mel hear how she could sing
that she consented. But at last she did
consent, and then, after letting her fin.
gers stray somewhat aimlessly along the
| chords, she suddenly broke out into such song
as John Mel had never heard before. HeI
voice, beautiful as it was, was not what i.
known as . cultivated voice, and it was O
German song. and therefore he did not M
derstand 1t, but there was no need Of words
to translate its burden. Passion, despairing
yet hoping through its despair, echoed in its
every limo, and love-unending love-hovered
over the glorious notes-nay, descended upon
them like q spirit and made them his Up
up rang her wild, sweet voice, thrilling hi.
nerves till they answered to the music as an
| Eolian harp answers to the winds On went
the song with divine sweep, like tho sweep
of rushing pinions; higher, higher, yet higher
1t scared, lifting up the listeners heart fai
above the world on the trembling wings %
sound-ay, even higher till the music hung
at heavens gate, and then It fell, swiftly as
an eagio fails, quivered and was dead.
| John gave gasp, and. so strongly was be
moved, sank back in his chair feeling almost
faint with the Revision Of feeling that ensued
when the notes died away. He looked up
and caught Bessie watching him with an air
1 Of curiosity and amusement jess was still
leaning against the piano and gently touch
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