The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-14
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The Beautiful N1l|e Devil.
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CHAPTER TX.

HOW WE SUCCEEDED IN OUR ENTERPRISE.
On arrival at Singapore we took rick
shaws and drove direct from the wharf
to the Mandalay hotel, palatial white
building of two stories, boasting vivid
green shutters on every window and
broad, luxurious verandas on every floor.
was the first to reach it, and, remem-
bering my position of casual acquaint-
ance, I booked room for myself, 1eav-
ing Miss Sanderson and her companion
to follow my example when they should
arrive.
1t was then late in the afternoon. and
by the time we had thoroughly settled
In night had fallen and the preliminary
dressing gong had sounded for dinner.
So far had seen nothing of the person
OF whom we were in search, but did
not doubt that at the evening meal /
should become acquainted with his
whereabouts, even if did not actually
meet the man himself.
The dining room at the Mandalay is
at the rear Of the hotel and looks out
upon a charmingly arranged garden.
Immediately upon my entering it q
waiter came forward and conducted me
to my place at table near the window.
On my left was seated portly, red
faced gentleman, who, / discovered
later, was an English merchant of con-
siderable standing in the place. The
chair on my right was vacant, but be-
fore we had dismissed the first course it
was taken by man who, my instinct
j <ol1
bington himself. Why should have
come to this conclusion / cannot ex-
plain, but that did think so and that
was right in SO thinking discovered
minute or two later, when question
was addressed to him by an acquaint-
ance on the other side Of the table. I
continued the course without betraying
my excitement, and when my plate was
removed sat back and casually took
stock of him.
From Allies account and some kind
of preconoeived notion as to, what sort
Of appearance such dastardly traitor
should present had expected to see
small, shifty eyed, villainous type Of
man, wearing on his face some token Of
his guilt. But in place Of that discov-
cred stout, we'll set up, not unhand-
some man about 40 years of age. His
complexion was somewhat forid; his
eyes were of an uncertain hue, between
gray and steely blue; he had pro-
nounced nose and a heavy, almost dou-
BILE chin. Indeed, had it not been for his
hesitating mode Of speech should have
been inclined to put him down for q
military man.
During the progress Of the meal
found an opportunity Of doing him some
small service, and on this meager intro
duction we fell into desultory CONVEX
sation, which embraced Singapore, the
latest news from England and the pros
poets Of war between China and
Japan. When dinner was over, ] rose
\ and followed him into the veranda, Of
fered him a cheroot, which he accepted,
and seated myself in a lounge chair be-
side him. We had not been smoking
five minutes before my sweetheart and
her companion passed close to where we
sat, en- route to their rooms AS she
came opposite to me Allie stopped.
HGood evening, DIR. De Normanville, I"
she said. "Isn't this hotel delightful
rose and uttered an appropriate re-
ply, at the same time noticing that Eb-
bington was taking thorough stock of
her. Then after another commonplace
. or two she bowed and passed on her
way. l resumed my seat and for nearly
minute we smoked in silence. Then
my companion, who had evidently been
carefully thinking his speech out, said
with that peculiarly diffident .utterance
which, as have said, was habitual to
him:
You'll excuse what I am going to
say, hope, but a friend and l were
having little discussion before dinner.
The proprietor tells me Miss Sanderson,
the American heiress, is staying in the
house. do not wish to be impertinent,
but might ask if the lady to whom
you have just been speaking is Miss
Sanderson?''
Yes she is Miss Sanderson, - re-
piled. "You do not know her, then?''
. Never saw her before in my life, y
was his reply. ''Pieces of good fortune
like that don't often occur in Singa-
pore. If. they did, few of us would be
here very long, can assure you. But
perhaps 1 am talking in too familiar a
strain about your friend? If SO, you
must forgive me.''
Indeed, no' I answered. "Don't
trouble yourself on that score I trav.
eled up with them from Batavia in the
French boat that arrived this afternoon.
From what little have seen Of her she
seems very pleasant and, as you have
observed, is evidently inclined to be
friendly"
There is no doubt about the money,
suppose?" he continued ''Since Vesey
of Hongkong was SO completely taken
in by the Beautiful White Devil we
have been little skeptical on the sub
ject of heiresses down this way"
"On that point I'm afraid cannot
inform YOU" | said laughingly. "She
seems, however, to travel in very good
style and evidently denies herself moth.
Ing. But you spoke of the Beautiful
White Devil. I am most interested in
what [ have heard of that parsonage.