The Holly chieftain., 1900-06-15
CHAPTER III.

putting his horse in BluebsIEs way -
that she could not pass. Bluebell fan-
cied his face was paler than usual;
but his deep. slowly-moving eyes did
not move from her face.
"Your father has sent me to meet
you. Mis- Leslie," he said In his rich.
deep tone. I'VE have heard that the
Boer army has crossed into Natal. and
IL marching straight ON Ladysmith.
1t b not safe for you to be alone ON
the veldt."
II am not alone, thank you, Mr..
Moore" said the girl. > touch OF dsn-
ance In her tones. Doctor Rothes"-
she turned towards Adair-"has kind
ly been seeing me home. He had
heard the news you refer to-" z ~ z
She was struck by the look ON Ger
aid Moore's face ~ he turned to
Rothes. There was an almost diaboli-
cal expression upon 1t; but 1t passed
away 30 quickly that she could not
have sworn to it.
Il presume that DR.. Rothes will not
object to handing you over to my
charge now that you are within three
miles Of New Kelso!" he said. 1t
seemed to Bluebell there was an un-
dercurrent Of either menace or def
ance In his voice.
| She glanced into Rothes' face. He
sat very stiff and very erect on his
horse. his 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 as that which froze 1t at this
moment.
The. expression startled her still
men knew each other?"
| Il leave the matter entirely in Miss
Leslie's hands, he said gravely. "If
she thinks have come far enough, I
am quite prepared to return to Lady
| smith. eit
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 a
lower tone: "Your father is not quite
himself today. Perhaps you would not
care to have stranger at New Kelso
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. see her own father in half
intoxicated condition. and that was
evidently what Moore's words implied.
Adam Leslie had always been lit
tie apt to exceed. but it was only Of
late-within the last six months-that
his daughter had noticed it. And 1t
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. "If Mr.. Moore Is going
to New Kelso. of course he may as
we'll ride with me; but would just as
soon go by myself. am not bit
afraid"
Rothes took of his hat and held out
his hand. For one minute, only one,
their horses were close together. and
Moore's was SO far apart as to render
him out Of earshot at least Of whis-
per.
"Good-by," said Rothes. hurriedly
and little hoarsely. Il don't know
when / may see you again. God only
knows pray that He may guard and
keep you from danger!" He bent a
little nearer. and added In a whisper:
"As you value your safety and happi-
ness, beware of that man. I entreat
Of you to do SO. He is dangerous
man. l cannot say more. Good-by-.
good-by." ,-,
The clasp of his fingers on her hand
was to remain there for many days.
He rode OF, raising, bis hat. and, p
strange sense Of desolation and lone
liness fell upon Bluebell.
She, turned Rover,s head and rode
on, not glancins at Moore; Adair.s
words still rang in her ears.
So}that Is Doctor Rothes?" said
Moore, Giving his horse little cut of
the whps that sent him springlng on
beside Htdebell. & INA q {, (. = ii'e
"Yes." she said. looking straight into
his face. do you know him?"
Il had the pleasure Of meeting him
once in Maritzburg." said the million
aire dryly; but, Miss Leslie, I wish to
talk OF something else just now. Your
father has given me leave to do SO.
What do you think has kept me ali this
time lingering about this district?"
Bluebell shook her ruddy brown
head. A feeling Of vague discomfort
and uneaainess shot through her at fha