Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-31

utut HUH eeNCTal lnulcdtlOnS Inht tue wagon. whose ever it was, had stood at least two days at this spot. The kameel doorn trees grew pretty thickly all around, and there was good deal of bush, and altogether it was a sequester- ed, silent spot. Lying by the largest of the dead fires was an object that in- stantly quickened our interest in the mystery we were unraveling-the skele- ton of man, clean picked by the foul vultures, but apparently untouched by hyenas or jackals. There were still the tattered remains of clothing upon 1t, and one veldtscboen-a Boer veldt- schoen-up the right foot. l turned over tho poor bleached framework to try to discover some inkling of its end. As did so dnlt battered from the skull on to the sand solid Matini- Henry bull let, slightly hattened on one side of its apex, manifestly from impact with some bone it had encountered, probably a cheek bone. A closer scrutiny reveal ed big hole in rear of the skull just behind the right ear.
 "'By Georgev exclaimed Angus, who was bending over me, there's been foul play here. That shot was fired at pretty close quarters.
 "I nodded, and at that instant my Masarwa, who had been searching about near us, picked up and brought me a bunch of long rcd hair.
 "'So help me Godr I could not help exclaiming, that's from Dirk Starre- berg's beard for any money. He has been murdered here, that's certain. If it was an accident, they would have sol i.;, ,e NUI1 ,s the murderer?
 We hunted about, but found no traces except the other veldtschoen and the remains of a Dutchman's broad brimmcd hat. We outspanncd for the night and sat down to think it over and have a pipe while supper was being got ready.
 Angus, said, I don't half like things. There's some dark riddle here. The fire l saw yesterday afternoon was Dirk Starrcbcrg's knew him well and never could mistake him. And. strangely enough, he was heading when I last saw him for this very spot. If be- lieved in ghosts, which don't, should say had seen Dirk's spook. What do you make of it all? I'm beginning to think I'm dreaming or going dotty. It beats me altogether.
 !" We'll returned Angus ill his quaint way, its the most extreeordi- nary rum go ever heard of. We'd bet ter trek on in the morning first thing and see what else we can discover. Those are Dirk's bones undoubtedly. We must try and do something for the poor chap, though he is dead.
 .l. sl, night, but several times the oxen were startled and sprang to their feet, abd the nags, fastened up to the wagon wheels, were desperately scared ohce ar twice and pulled at their r9ins GS though they must break them. The dogs, too. harked and howled and be- haved very strangely. And yet no lions were near Us. Once or twice we looked out, but saw nothing. All of us, n as terS and boss, were uncomfortable, we could hardly explain :. hy, and the men undoubtedly kTcTv nothing of what l had seen the day lvfore.
 At dawn next morning We were not sorry to inSpan and trek. and following the old wagon .loC- WC pushed on. de. tcrmincd if possible to get to the bot
 
 Eext we t0il'i on, only Outspanning once or twice during the daytime and at night by the water to rest and refresh the oxen for n few hours. At last, an hour before sunset on the second day, Angus and l, who were riding ahead of the wagon, spied suddenly among some kamcCl doorh trees the tent of wagon, to which we cantercd. Suddenly, as we refined up. the foreclap was cast aside. and wild figure of woman appeared and scrambled down from tho wagon box. It was Nrouw Starrcberg, but ter. ribly, sadly altered from tho stout if somewhat grim good wife I had seen a couple of years before. Her dark stuff dress was torn and cut about by the thorn bushes; her erst fat, smooth face, broad though it still was, was lined and haggard and terribly fallen away; but, above all, there was n rolling vacancy, a wildness, in her eye that made me fear at once for her reason. Under one arm she claspcd tightly big Bible, and never ill tho subsequent days that we were together did she once rclin. 1 quish it. It seemed that some terrible calamity had overturned her reason. Whence come ye, George Ken stune?' (she had known me well foI | years) she cried ill n harsh. high pitch ed scream very painful to listen to. Take me out of this desert and back tc my home. I have been cast away these six weeks, able to move neither hand nor foot for freedom. The man called husband is dead, and my servants have fled, and the oxen are gone the Lord knows where.
 ''1 scarce knew how to begin with her.
 "'I'm sorry, Tant' Starreberg,' said, to find you ill this plight. Tn afraid there has been sad mischief, anG your husband has been shot Is it not so? We will help you gladly, of course and early in the morning, when the oxen will be rested, we will take yor out of this place. I fear you have sui fered much. But how came poor Dirl by his end? Was it the boys?' | At the mention of Dirk her whol, expression changed. Her eyes filled with terrible light. In her best day. Vrouw Starreberg was hard featured ugly woman. Now she looked almos fiendish.
 "'Poor Dirkr she shrieked, witt horrible scorn. Poor Dirk? No, I an not afraid to own it! The man you cal Dirk Starreborg-he was no more hus band of mine-died by my hand sho him. Yes, dead shot him as he sat by his fire. And why? Because he lied anC was unfaithful. Because he forsook m' for that mop headed, bluc eyed, pinl faced doll. Jacoba Veeland'
 And when at last had discovered all-he talked overmuch in his sleep