The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-11
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The Beautiful White Devil.
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CHAPTER VIII.
A QUEER SURPRISE.

Within week of our leaving the is
land behind US, as narrated in the pre-
vious chapter, we had brought the Ma
dura coast we'll abeam and were dodg-
ing along itwaiting for darkness to fall
in order to get into Probolingo harbor.
Here it was arranged should leave the
yacht and travel by the Nederlands-In-
dia line of steamers to Batavia. A YES
sci of this line, SO we had discovered,
called at Probolingo about the end Of
each month, and for this reason our ar
rival was timed for the afternoon of the
day of her departure.
Shortly before 3 o'clock we brought
up at the anchorage about mile from
the shore. 1t was lovely afternoon,
and could see that the steamer which
was to carry me on was already prepar
ing for her departure. The boat was
alongside, my traps were safely slowed
in her, and nothing remained but to bid
Allie goodby. AS soon as this was ac-
complished went down the gangway,
took my seat in the stern. and we push
ed off. Ten minutes later ! was on
board the steamer Van Tromp, had paid
my passage money, secured my berth
and was waiting to see what the next
item of the programme would be.
From the deck of the Dutch vessel, as
she swept by US under full sail, her
course set for Batavia, the Lone Star
looked as pretty craft as any man
could wish to see. noticed, however,
that during the three months she had
been in her own harbor her color and
indeed her whole appearance had been
entirely changed. When first had
made her acquaintance, she was white
culiar shade Of red. Her bows seemed
buffer than when had seen her last.
Indeed from the present shape and con-
struction Of her masts and gear it would
have been extremely difficult to tell her
for the same vessel.
At o'clock and in the eye of glori-
GUS sunset we got up our pressure and
steamed out to sea. Of that voyage there
is little to tell. The Van Tromp was
clumsy old tub of an almost, obsolete
pattern, and by the time we reached
Tanjong Prick, as the seaport of Bata-
via is called, had had about enough
Of her.
Once there, I repacked my bag and
stepped on to the wharf, resolved to
take the first train to the city. Arriving
there, / drove direct to the hotel whose
name Allie had given me and booked my
room.
Batavia is a pretty place, and at the
time of our visit it was looking it's best
So far had seen nothing Of Alie and I
did not like to make inquiries concern
ing her lest by SO doing I might excite
suspicion. To while away the time till
dinner lit cigar and, seating myself
in the long veranda that surrounded the
house, read my book, Keeping watch
full eye on the folk about me all the
time.
Shortly before O'Clock noticed that
the Dutch ladies in my neighborhood
ordered afternoon tea and partook Of it
in the veranda. Not to be outdone, I
followed their example. But just as
was about to pour myself out cup an
interruption occurred which presently
assumed annoying proportions
The table, on which my Malay boy
had placed the tray, stood in the full
glare Of the afternoon sun, and this be-
ing hotter than liked babe him move
it nearer to the wall, and to facilitate
matters myself took up the tray on which
my cup stood trimming full. just as he
was putting the table down, however,
two strange ladies turned the corner of
the veranda and came toward us. The
taller and younger Of the two was fine
dark woman, with a wealth of beautiful
brown hair rolled tightly behind her
y head. She was dressed in we'll fitting
travelling dress, wore what believe is
called sailor hat and walked with a
carriage that would have even attracted
attention in the most crowded street in
the world. Her companion was an older
woman and, if one might judge by ap.
pearances, nearer 60 than 80, with o
fine, aristocratic face and considerable
quantity of gray hair heaped in little
,corkscrew curls all over her head.
When they came level with where
stood, stepped back to let them pass
but in doing SO came into collision witt
the younger lady. How it happened
cannot say, but the result was in every
way disastrous. The tray slipped anG
would have fallen had I not caught it
in time, but the cup of tea was toe
quick for me and fell to the ground
splashiHg the young lady's pretty gray
dress beyond hope Of remedy in it's de
scent. The cup and saucer were broker
into hundred pieces. For a momen
the fair sufferer stood silent, hardly
suppose, knowing what to say, but whe1
/ commenced my apologies and wanted
to run to my room for cloth will
which to wipe her dress she found he
voice and said with strong American
accent:
"You must do nothing Of the kind
1t was all my fault. Ideclare I'm down
right sorry"
fastened to assure her that could
not let her take the blame upon herself
and once more begged to be allowed tt
sponge the tea off her DRESS This, how
ever, she would not permit me to do.
It won't hurt" she assured me fol
the kwantieth time Hand If IL did III,