Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-07-27
CHAPTER I,

Il was evening a glorious evening,
such as only tropical countries know.
The hot wind that had blown all day
had now died down. and there was a
great stiffness: but pleasant cool
ness ia the air made it delightful after
the sweltering heat.
l There had been no rain for a long
time, and the ground was parched and
dry. Outside the pretty homestead
the red sand of the veldt lay thick and
fine in the dry grass which covered
the wagon track. But inside the grass
looked green enough. Perhaps 1t had
received an artificial shower. All
round the grassy lawn were flower
beds, mostly of tropical flowers, among
which the succulent blue lily raised its
long, trumpet-shaped flowers; but
there were few English flowers, too
stately hollyhocks, sweet-scented
roses, queenly dahlias. 49,
Beyond the lawn an avenue OF blue
gum and black nettle led to the veldt
without. Behind the house, which was
built of stone, and looked quaint and
/ pretty with veranda running round
Eit, rose some of the highest peaks OF
i the Drakensberg. A little to the left
ran the river Kip.
On this evening the sun, too near
N Its setting to be hot now. was shining
right into the sleepy brown eyes of a
girl who lay full length in the shade
Of a gum-tree, book on the grass be-
side her. Her head was supported by
Sa plump little brown hand, and she
was smiling very happy, contented
smile, as If some happy thought passed
Ethrough her mind.
It was a pretty face, too, with Its
warmth and healthiness of coloring,
Edts softly-rounded, girlish contour, its
@smiling, half-open, red lips, Its clear,
YOpen, childishly smooth forehead, over
(which little curls of the brown hair
Eshot with ruddy gold came straying.
THE half-shut, smiling eyes were very
Esoft and happy just now; but who
Ecould say whether they might not
Esome day be filed with burning pas
Esion, with binding tears, or with the
Ecold, set expression of despair?
''Bluebell, Bluebell! where are you,
Echild?" ..
The voice came across the little
lawn. clear and distinct on the evening
sair; and the girl, rising up from her
Rcomfortable position, shook herself,
livery much as a wet spaniel might do
after coming out of the water, and
btarted at quick run for the house.
MA tall, angular. spinster lady stood
Upon the doorstep.
."What head, child" was the salu-
4 alton. "Have you forgotten We are
h have company tonight"
We'll, I do believe I had." retorted
girl. Don't be angry with me,
~ you, auntie? Really couldn't
It. I'll never, never do it again.
y dads going to bring some one
b6m Maritzburg, is he? Who is it,
luntie? Not anyone very great. hope
Mr. Rhodes, for instance?"
4 Don't talk nonsense, child" re-
Eturned Miss Elizabeth Leslie. "No, no.!
Tits no one so great as that, only some
Every rich man, believe, who has
bmade his money at Kimberley or
somewhere. But run away and dress
yourself, child. I have a good sup
fper ready, so hope. your father won't
keep us waiting. He wished us to have
dinner; but why should I? We don't
call it dinner when We are alone, and
why should we change our customs
! for strangers?"
''Quite right, auntie dear" Bluebell
patted her aunt's bony shoulder with a
gentle hand. Besides, likely enough
he's some coarse, horrid man! They
are always the kind that become mil
lionaires. Oh, auntie, hope father
won't make great friend Of him If he
1s!" e-
I'VE shall soon see him, dearie, so
there's no use thinking beforehand
what, his ways are" said Miss Eliza
beth-she was always called Miss
Elizabeth-soothingly.
Bluebell ran upstairs to her own
room. It was pretty little room,
not containing much furniture, but as
dainty as feminine fingers could make
It, Bluebell did not spend all her time
lying dreamily under the gum-tree.
She had just donned her pretty white
muslin frock, drawn in at the waist by
Q blue bandit was rather strange
that Bluebell should smile and blush
q little to herself as she fastened the
blue band-when the sound Of horses
hoofs galloping up the avenue drew
her attention. She ran to the window,
hiding behind the window curtains.
Presently two riders emerged from
1.-the avenue, and rode up the graveled
fDath to the house. Bluebell could see
Mem distinctly.
I The first was her father. Bluebell
N lew him well enough not to require
take a second look at him; yet she
u take second look.
dam Leslie, Esq, Of Tinlaverstock,
ptland, who had emigrated to South
q kica 10 years ago, was man of mid
4 age, heavily built, stout, and red
n Jed, with heavy chin, stubborn
uth, and pair Of rather cold gray
s b. But just now his face was red