The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-07

! = dZIlI
"Hoeo beautiful it all tsp' said Ade,
looking up at the aDinktng stars.
low the land was open; then the under
growth began again, gradually rising
from small bushes to great trees, and
afterward continuing in one unbroken
sea of green away to where the faint
outline Of niSuntain range peered up
upon the southeastern horizon. It was
picture to see and remember forever.
Having dismounted from our ponies
we prepared to make ourselves comfort
able. The distribution of huts was as
follows: Allie took that to the right, !
had large one on the left, while that
in the center was set apart for our din
ing room and sitting room (if we want
ed to be indoors, which was unlikely;
the fourth was destined for the accom-
mediation of the cook and from it al
ready resounded the clatter of pots and
pans.
Full Of curiosity to see in what sort
Of comfort Allie travelled, entered my
own hut and was amazed at the COM
pleteness Of the arrangements A COM
Portable bedplace, with mosquito cur
tains, occupied one side, square of
mating covered the floor, portable
wash hand stand stood near the bed,
while against the opposite wall, neatly
arranged in a rack, were my guns and
specimen cases. By the time l had
washed off the stains of travel and ex-
changed my riding costume for a lounge
suit the native gong had summoned us
to dinner, and Allie and I, meeting on
the terrace, entered the center hut to-
gether.
If l had been surprised at the COM
pleteness Of the arrangements of my
own hut how much more astonished
was now Indeed had it not been for
the walls, which were covered with
some peculiar sort of tapestry, and the
different ceiling. should hardly have
known that we were not in the bunga-
low at the settlement. The white cloth,
the glittering glass and silver, the costly
ornaments and the profusion Of dishes
were the same, and when the same i'm
passive servant entered to wait upon us,
clad in his usual white livery, my as
tonishment was complete. Allie was in
exceptionally good spirits, and for this
reason the meal proceeded in most de-
lightful fashion.
When it was over, we drew our chairs
outside into the gathering gloom and
sat watching the fireflies dashing in and
out amid the tangle of dark forest
across the plateau. It was indeed a
night to be remembered. Overhead the
tropic stars shone in all their beauty
around us were the unfathomabled depths
of the forest; from the right sounded
the tinkling music of a stream; while
now and again out Of the darkness
would come the deep note Of some forest
animal or the melancholy hpot of an
owl or other night bird.
"How beautiful it all isl" said Allie,
| looking up at the winking stars. Then
as if to herself, "If only we could al
| ways be as peaceable as this, how much
happier we should be!'
'.Do you really think we should?' |
answered. "Don't you think it is the
wild unrest and turmoil of the world,
| to say nothing of that constant strug
| CLING, which make existence so sweet
to us?'
''Ah, you speak of your own world!''
she said sadly. "Think what my world
| is-continual plotting, endless striving,
| with always the one great dread of cap
ture hanging over me. Oh. DR.. De Nor
manville, you little know the sort OF
life leadi''
"Then why do you go on with it? II
only l might
l checked myself suddenly. Another
moment and the fatal words would have
| passed my lips. But to see her thus and
not TO tell her of my love was almost
more than l could bear. kept a tight
rein upon myself, however, and cram.
med the words back into my heart. She
had paused and was looking away to-
ward the dark forest.
why do go Oh with it?" she an
swered. few moments later. because
l must. Because there is no ono else tc
guide and care for them but me. "
"But supposing you were caught?
They would have to shift for themselves
/ then.
81 shall never be taken alive-that
is, except by treachery. No. DR.. De
Normanville, come what may, I can
never forsake them. My duty lies before
me, and as have endeavored to do it
in the past SO must strive to do it in
the future. But it is getting lase, and
we have Travelled long distance today.