Western news-Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1898-1900, 1900-03-15
P VI.

~ ~ L oAu DluS
perinG morning; the rain was rafting or
our house roof; there was a wall of wind
through the swaying and dripping bushes
and trees. In the midst of all this 1ur.
MOL, Captain Columbus suddenly makes
MS appearance, and, with serious aspect,
tnfOrms US that we cannot go any further
at present. The authorities, it appears.
lock the canal gates every second Sun
day. Queen Tita, of course, is far from
being disappointed. She highly approves
Of stopping the traffic every second Sun
day, and doubtless would have the regu-
lation extended to every Sunday, if she
had the power.
We had three visitors that evening!
Two OF them, whom we found on the
bank when we returned to the boat. were
of rustic mold, and in stolid silence, and
with calm, immovable gaze they contem-
plated the strange object that had invad-
ed these solitudes. They made no re-
mark: their eyes wandered not; they
merely stood there and stared and stared.
as tshed the famous fisher of Sunburie.
They stared at the boat, at the windows.
the gunwale, the Gller, the roof, the an
Choir al the bow. And never a word they
spoke. We left them staring.
Our third visitor-to Jack Duncombe's
obvious discomfture-was no other than
DIR. Algernon A'Becket, who arrived
some little time before dinner in high glee
|ver his success in discovering our where
abouts. Indeed, he was quite hilarious.
Notwithstanding that his trousers looked
rather damp, and he was just a
little bit hungry; Murdoch was
hidden to make speed, while the
IN folk began to light the
lamps and candles in order to brighten
up the saloon. Jack Duncombe, of course.
would take no part in the entertainment
Of this new guest; but Mr.. A'Becket
seemed capable of making himself at
home without much trouble; and Mrs.
Threepenny-bit and her young American
friend. as they were laying the cloth ard
otherwise getting matters made easy for
Murdoch, were very courteous and com
placent toward him.
And how are you to get back. Mr..
ABeckct?" his hostess said to him. nor
unnatirally. Il wish we could offer Won
a berth"
Not at all, not at all" he answered,
Sith abundant cheerfulness. II know
precisely where l am now.'
Il am sure it's more than we do" she
observed. rather ruefully.
And o know l was anxious to see
how you looked en- voyage" he contin-
ned, with a well-satisfed glance all
round; land really nothing could be more
snug and delightful. How strange it
be TO feel yourselves so entirely iso-
lated; q. small party all by yourselves.
and wandering away into these out-of-
the-world places; really, it makes one 8
little e~nvious.'
Jack Duncombe glared; was the man
actually begging for an invitation? And
It dinner, too, Mr.. A'Becket seemed
quite content so long as he could address
himself 10 the two women, Jack Dun
,omhr rarely interfering, except when
here was q chance of his posing as Miss
natural ally and champion. In
IeeG. the younger man strove to appear
q that light whenever occasion offered.
nd seemed ready 70 sacrifice the most
institutions of his native land for
be mere sake Of taking her part. For
xampie, orr Oxford friend was talking
Don't the ~irreverence for antiquity COM
attributed TO the American people,
nd said he had once heard an American