The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-07-26
CHAPTER 1.

''SN@ANANNat
less in the air made it delightful after
the sweltering heat.
There had been no rain for long
time, and the ground was parched and
dry. Outside the pretty homestead
the red sand Of the veldt lay thick and
f1ne in the dry grass which covered
the wagon track. But inside the grass
looked green enough. Perhaps it had
received an artificial shower. All
round the grassy lawn were flower
beds, mostly of tropical flowers, among
which the succulent blue lily raised its
long, trumpet-shaped flowers; but
there were few English flowers, too
stately hollyhocks, sweet-scented
roses, queenly dahlias.
Beyond the lawn an avenue of blue
gum and black nettle led to the veldt
without. Behind the house, which was
built of stone, and looked quaint and
pretty with veranda running round
1T. rose some of the highest peaks Of
the Drakensberg A little to the left
ran the river Kip.
On this evening the sun, too near
ats setting to be hot now. was shining
right into the sleepy brown eyes Of a
girl who lay full length in the shade
of gum-tree. a book on the grass be-
side her. Her head was supported by
a plump little brown hand, and she
was smiling very happy, contented
smile. as il some happy thought passed
through her mind.
It was pretty face, too, with its
warmth and healthiness of coloring,
It's softly grounded, girlish contour, its
smiling. half-open, red lips, its clear,
open. childishly smooth forehead, over
which little curls of the brown hair
shot with ruddy gold came straying
The half-shut, smiling eyes were very
soft and happy just now; but who
could say whether they might not
some day be filled with burning pas
sion. with binding tears, or with the
cold. set expression of despair?
"Bluebeil. Bluebell! where are you,
,chhd?"
The voice came across the little
lawn. clear and distinct on the evening
air; and the girl, rising up from her
comfortable position, shook herself
very much as a wet spaniel might do
after coming out of the water, and
Started at a quick run for the house.
A tall. angular, spinster lady stood
upon the doorstep.
What head, child" was the salu-
tation. Have you forgotten we are
to have}company tonight?"
Wellt do believe l had" retorted
the girl. Don't be angry with me,
will YOU, auntie? Really couldn't
help it. Nh never, never do it again
now dad'$ going to bring some one
from Maritzburg, is he? Who is it,
sgi5s1 Mot anyone very great. hope
q --A.s Rhodes, for instance?"
Don't talk nonsense, child!" re-
turned Miss Elizabeth Leslie. mo, no!
it's no one so great as that, only some
very rich man, 1 believe, who has
made his money at Kimberley or
somewhere. But run away and dress
yourself. child. l have good sup
per ready, SO hope your father won't
keep us waiting. He wished us to have
dinner; but why should I? We don't
call it dinner when we are alone and
. why should we change our customs
for strangers"
quite right, auntie dear" Bluebell
patted her aunt's bony shoulder with a
gentle hand. Besides, likely enough
he's some coarse, horEid man! They
are always the kind that become mil
Aonaires. Oh, auntie, hope father
won't make great friend of him if he
ts."
We shall soon see him, dearie, so
there's no use thinking beforehand
what his ways are" said Miss Eliza
beth-she was always called Miss
Elizabeth-soothingly
Bluebell ran upstairs to her own
room. 1t was pretty little room,
not containing much furniture, but as
dainty as feminine fingers could make
it. Bluebell did not spend all her time
lying dreamily under the gum-tree.
h. She had just donned her pretty white
muslin frock. drawn in at the waist by
blue bandit was rather strange
that Bluebell should smile and blush
little to herself as she fastened the
blue band-when the sound of horses
boots galloping up the avenue drew
her attention. She ran to the window,
hiding behind the window curtains.
Presently two riders emerged from
the avenue. and rode up the graveled
path to the house. Bluebell could see
them distinctly.
The first was her father. Bluebell
knew him well enough not to require
to take.a second look at him; yet she
did take second look.
Adam Leslie, Esq, of Tinlaverstock,
Scotland. who had emigrated to South
Africa 10 years ago, was man of mid
die age. heavily built, stout, and red
faced. with heavy chin. stubborn
mouth, and pair of rather cold gray
eyes. But just now his face was red
I der than usual and there was slight
want Of certainty in his gait as he
; sprang from his horse that Bluebell
eolored to see.
His companion, the millionaire"
was not at all what Bluebell had pic
tured him. He was an old man: he
looked straight. backed and alert and
sat on his HORSE with an air of negli-
q gence that showed him a true horse
man. For the rest, Bluebell could see
that hA was aomawhat dark in cnyn-