Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-06-15

derccrrtn. of either menace or den.
| apce in lis voice.
| She glanced into Rothes' face. He
sat very stif and very erect on his
horse. has face turned towards the
other man. Bluebell had never-not
even that night OF the Maritzburg ball
seen so stern and cold look upon
his face rs that which froze II at this
moment
The expression startled her still
more now. Was It possible these two
| men knew each other?"
Il leave the matter entirely In Miss
Leslie's hands, he said gravely "f
she thinks | have come far enough, I
am quite prepared to return to Lady
smith.
Moore looked at Bluebell.
You had better come with me. Miss
Leslie. and allow DR.. Rothes to re-
turn home" he said: then added In q
lower tone: "Your father Is not quite
himself today. Perhaps you would not
care to have a stranger ut New Kclso
under the circumstances"
Not quite himself! That decided
Bluebell. Not for worlds would she
have Adair Rothes. whose good opin-
ion she felt so strangely reluctant to
lose. sec her own father in a half
intoxicated condition. and that was
evidently what Moore's words implied.
Adam Leslie had always been lit
tie apt to exceed. but II was only OF
late-wIthin the last six months-that
his daughter had noticed L. And II
| seemed to her. since the coming OF
Gerald Moore that her father had
yielded still more to his unfortunate
weakness.
Perhaps you had better not come
any further. Doctor Rothes." she said.
In a low voice. III Mr.. Moore Is going
to New Kciso. Of course he may as
well ride with me: but would Just n
soon go by myself. ! am not bit
afraid
Rothcs took on his ha; and held out
his hand. For one minute. only one.
their horses were close together. and
Moorc's was 80 far apart m to render
him out OF carshot at least Of whis-
per.
"Good-by.- said Rothcs. hurricdiy
and a little hoaraciy. Il don't know
when I may see you again. God only
knows I pray that He may guard and
keep you from danscr!" lie bent =
little nearer. and added In u whisper:
AS you value your safety and hnppi-
ness. beware Of tha; man. cnireas
| OF you to do 30. He Is dangerous
man. cannot say more. Good-by-
Sood-by."
The clasp Of his fingers on her hand
was TO remain there for many days.
lie rode on. raising his hat. and
strange sense Of dcsoiaiion and lone
iincsa fell upon plucbcli.
She turned Rovcr's head and rode
on. not siancins At Moore. Adair's
words still rang In her ears.
| so that is Doctor Ro;hcsT' said
Moore. giving his horse a little cut os
the whip that sent him sprinslne on
beside Biucbcil.
Yes" she said. looking straight into
his face. DO you know himT"
II had the pleasure Of meeting him
once in MaritsburE.- said the million
airc dryiy: but. Miss Leslie. wish To
talk OF something else Just nov. Your
father has given me leave to do 20.
What do you think has kept me all this
time lingering about this dis,rict!'
Biucbcii shook her ruddy brown
head. A feeling Of vague discomfort
and uncasiucss shot through her at the
question: but not In her wildcs, guess
ca could shc have arrived within mile
OF the truth.
Gerald Moore wen, on slowly:
The country will soon be in fer
ment: existence in II will be danger
Gus. unsafe. For men this docs not
matter so much: for women. especially
thosc"-hc paused and added impress
sivcly-'whom We love. I, Is terrible
no, to be thought Of. Your father
wishes you to so out Of the country
while yet there Ia time"
ITO be continucd.)