The Florence daily tribune. (Florence, Colo.) 1898-1903, 1898-05-16
earth, | was fortunate enough to catch
q British India mailhoat in the act Of
starting for Brisbane.
CHAPTER MI.

CHAPTER MI.
THE FIRST OF MAY.
Next morning after my return to
England l donned the orthodox top hat
and frock coat and set of to walk to
South kensington to call upon my sister
Janet, who, by the way, was widow,
her husband having died of malariai
fever who. with his regiment on the
west coast of Africa.
found her In the morning room in
the oct of writing a note of welcome TO
me She greeted mo with all her old
sisterly affection and when she had dono
so made me sit down before tho fro
and tell her all my adventures.
We have heard the most wonderful
tales about you, she said, with smile.
How you were captured by a sort of
female Captain Kidd Of fabulous beauty,
who carried you of TO an island In tho
Pacific, whore you were made to dig
sufficient gold to pay your ransom.
"indeed?"
1T has been reoopied into all sorts of
papers, she continued "But I've no
doubt twas mass of nero fabrication.
Own the truth now. wasn't itg'
Every bit, - answered oandidly. II
have been very much annoyed by these
stupid newspaper paragraphs 1t is just
like the rabid craving of the age for sen
sationniisin. But before go any fur
ther, Janet, l want to tell You some
thing / am going to be married. -
You, Georgel Why, you always used
to say you had mado up your mind never
TO do anything so foolish.
So did, but you see have changed
my mind
So it would appear. And, now, who
is she? Tell me where you met her aud
all about her."
This was what dreaded, but it had
10 be met ana faced
well, in the first place. her name is
Allie. Sho is 90 years of age and an or
phan. Her father was a captain in the
English navy, but is now dead She is
very sweet, very accom- plished, aud very
beautiful, and feel sure, Janet, If only,
for my sake, you will offer her hearty
welcome when she comes home"
You know me we'll enough to he
sure OF that, don't you, dear old George?
And Is anything settled yet? How soon
does she come home, and when are you
going to be marriedf'
TO ycur first question can only an
swer, as soon after tho LIST Of May as
possible. On the LIST Alio will arrive i'll
Englnnd. Now win You wish me hap
piness, Janet2"H
With all my heart and soul. But
am dying to know more. Tell me whore
you met her and indeed all about your
adventures; remember. you have been
away whole year. y
l told her as much as thought pru-
dent without revealing Allies identity,
! chatting on till luncbtime.
When l left the house in the after
noon, l knew had insured kind re-
ception for Allie when she should arrive
in England.
Now l must skip the greater part of
u year and come to the middle of the
last week in April, just three days, i'll
fact, before l knew might expect my
darling.
| l had her own assertion that she
would be in England on the LIST of
May, and l had never known her fail to
keep her word. Just as that thought
| passed through my brain there was
| ring at the bell, and few seconds later
| my man brought up q telegram on
salver. With fingers trembling with
eagerness tore the envelope open and
read the following message;
Arrived this morning. Bundaberg House.
Surbiton Come quickly. ALE.
There and then ran out Of the room,
gave the telegraph boy in the porch half
a crown for his trouble, seized my hat
and stick, hailed a hanson and babe the
cabman drive me with all possible speed
| to Waterloo The man was smart
whip, and as he possessed a good horse
we covered the ground in grand style.
When we reached tho station, paid
him off, purchased my ticket and ran
on to the platform just in time to catch
the 8:15 express. Punctually at five
and twenty minutes to left the train
| again at Surbiton and, proceeding into
the station yard, called another cab.
.Do you know Bundaberg House?" l
asked the man Us took my place in the
vehicle.
ITO be continued