Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-12-21
! The rR|}ANSyAAL DISPATCH.
BY R. =. YOUNG


AfTTTfTffTfTfT
THANK Heaven, it is all over! I can
breathe freely-can vaguely grasp
how that one fatal slip Of mine, at a
moment when the scales in the Trans
vaal were balancing so breathlessly,
might have come near to spelling ma
tional disaster. Looking back, it all
seems reamIike-incredible My hard
earned holiday had worked in the
Cape government office nearly three
years without one-was not due for six
months more. Five minutes before the
chief of my department called me in and
handed me the locked leather case
had not the faintest idea that was to
be let off those six months and, more
over, to carry a dispatch invested, in
the light Of possible events, with an
Importance beyond words.
''There it is. You thoroughly un-
derstand? Straight to the colonial Of
fee, and don't lose sight of it for a
moment. 1t may mean war; it may
mean nothing. Whether or no, a dozen
newspapers in London would pay any
price to be able to publish it before it
is read in the house of commons-if
ever it is. And if that happened-!'
Your berth has been booked in the Cape
Castle, and you start tomorrow morn
ing"
That was it. I know I went in a
culver of indescribable suspense all the
voyage, partly for fear anyone might
discover what it was I guarded so jeal-
ously in that corner of my cabin, and
partly because I was free-free to mar
ry Lottie, whose last quivering words
had been: go, if you must, Brian-if
it means advancement; but I never ex-
pect to see you again!" And here was
Southampton in sight, and in my
pocket the superb blue diamond she
was to wear on our wedding day. What
an exquisite surprise! She would know
nothing until the moment when I
handed in my card.
The one person in the world had
dared to trust was her brother, Jack
Hamlyn, the oldest and best friend 1
had. I had telegraphed to his rooms
from Madeira, just limiting that my
luggage was valuable and telling him to
meet the vessel at Southampton; and
even in that had taken the precaution
to use crude code that we had con-
cocted in the old romantic days at
school. His would be safe company
until the dispatch was delivered, and
then-but the rest was too intoxicat-
ing to bear thinking upon.
At last! The Cape Castle had kept
her time almost to the hour. Feeling
just a trifie sick and strange after the
long suspense, I had passed the Gus
toms and stood staring round for a
sight of Jack Hamiyn. The telegram
had surely reached him-he would un-
derstand it-he would be here we'll in
time? Yes! A few minutes of uncer-
tainty and then: 'Brian, old fellow
yes, it is you'll" struck on my strained
ear.
Jack" I spun round almost con-
vulsively. Himself! land yet some
how, the first thrill over, felt some
thing like chill of disappointment.
Was it that my old chum's hand had
scarcely the old bear-like grip? In the
lampiight, too, he looked curiously
haggard and aged. stood, with sort
Of prescience.
Overcome, Brian? hardly wonder
all this time! Oh, aye; I forgot-I've
given up my beard since you VENT
And we both laughed. 'This way; I'm
simply dying to hear all about it," He
had my arm in the old impetuous fash
ion now. Been waiting hours! No,
not soul dreams of your having ar
rived-trust me! Lottie? Er-yes,
she's right enough, I believe
Believer l stopped dead His voice
had trailed off strangely. SACK" l
whispered, huskily, you look-you've
something to tell me! Isn't she lisn't
she just the same? Her last letter."
''Why, of counsel" He laughed Sc
boisterously at my whitened face that
the weight slipped off my mind at once
Nothing had happened! do you think
I'd deceive you, Brian?" he was say.
ing. 1.-The idea! Another IL hours O,
so and you'll have the Joy of seeing
the old flush dance into her cheeks
But what was it you meant in the cable
. about
Twelve hours! I'm going on by the
first train-now, at once. l must! In
structions-straight to colonial office
you know
'Really?" 1t was Jacks turn to stare
now. There, now; and I've taken thu
trouble to get rooms at the hotel clos,
here and good meal all ready for you
thinking you'd start home first thing
in the morning. Why, l doubt whether
there's any train to-night-all the pas
sengers are stopping. Besides, 20,
couldn't see Lottie till tomorrow, any
how, could you?"
no, of course not. Only stoo,
minute, turning it over. One nigh
could make no difference-the authori
ties would not be in attendance til
morning. had landed safely, and JAG
was here-dear old Jack Hamlyr