Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-27
CHAPTER III.

Our engagement was short There was no
reason why it should be otherwise. Both of US
had arrived at years Of discretion. Georges
means were ample; he had nobody to please but
himself, and rs it pleased him to marry quickly
We became man and wife within three months
OF his return from Africa. He had u country
place in Hertfordshine; but as it had been let
during his absence We could not occupy il until
the expiration of the lease at the end of the
following year. Meanwhile George took a
house IN town. as to the locality of which can
only say that 1t was in the neighbOrhood of
Hyde lark. where We proposed to live during
the London season, my husbands fortune being
quite adequate Tor the keeping up Of two es-
Establishments.
After q two months tour on the continent we
settled down to work on plan we had already
arranged. George had many engagements
He was going TO write u book. for which his
publishers were clamorous and the world of
science was impatiently waiting. He had also
promised contributions to the editor of one of
the leading reviews, and to deliver during the
season two or three lectures. l was to act as
his amanuensis and helper and as in these cir
cumstances we should both have our hands full
we resolved to live as quietly possible and
hold ourselves as aioof might be from social
engagements.
For a while all went we'll. George was
everything could wish, and working with him
all day at labor OF love, giving an occasional
dinner and going out i'll his company one or
two evenings u week, my life was almost IDEAL
was as happy as young wife could be.
And then there came TO pass series Of por
tentous events. which began by reviving the
curiosity first suggested by my Aunt Lavinia's
doubts, and ended III a frightful catastrophe.
One evening when my father was dining
with us he brought up. epropos OF nothing in
particular, Georges sojourn IN Mousaland.
You should write a history OF your reign"
no said. ut would DO very interesting. But
a hal IN all n
Il shall say nothing whatever about it in
my book-nothing. returned George curtly.
But why, George? l am sure it would be
highly appreciated. To be king OF a nation of
cannibals is. SO far as know. experience alb
soiutely unique for white man. You really
must give an account OF your reign"
Il will not. DR.. Murton. Pray let that suf-
nee And you will greatly oblige me by letting
the subject drop"
NV father made no answer but thenceforth
showed his sense of Georges rudeness by going
away the moment dinner was over.
Then, as ou- habit was whom We were alone,
George and / went into the library, where he
behaved so strangely that was both bewildered
and frightened After pacing to and fro for
several minutes he threw himself in O chair
and buried his face in his hands.
Are you ill. George. dear?" I said, feeling
that must say something, though knew moi
what
As spoke, q Skye terrier, greatly cherished
by both of us, jumped on his lap. Ut,ering a
fierce exclamation in a language which l did
not understand, he caught the poor brute up
and with one movement OF his strong hands
wrung its neck, then flung its body on the floor
My blood seemed TO freeze in my veins.
screamed with terror.
..Oh, my God, what have done?" exclaimed
George, picking up the dog and looking pitt.
fully into its lack luster eyes MY poor, poor
Fido. what have done? Forgive me, Mvra.
My darling, how I must have frightened you;
but knew not what did. An evil spirit pos
sesscd me. 1t was your fathers unhappy men.
| ton OF the MousaS. l was trying to forget.
You don't know, l cannot tell you, the horror
of that timo and the fatal infuence-I thought
had overcome it; j was struggling then
am struggling now, and with your help, dar.
| ling, I will overcome it"