Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-06-29
CHAPTER v.

give her father her answer. and to
make her proposal to him. In the
morning: but to her surprise and con-
gone on on horseback. no one knew
whittier. not saying when he should
return.
''It was Sam who saw him CO." said
Miss Elizabeth. In n frightened tone.
and he says he went In the direction
OF Ladysmith: hut OF course he may
be going much farther than that-hc
may be going by train. DO you know
nothing about Il. Blucbcll?"
Blucbcli shook her head. She was
more put about even than her aunt by
this now move. What could II meant"
Dear auntic. you're not afraid OF
the Beers. are you. They have never
done us any harm. why should they
now? Though they are fighting with
Britons. II Is with British soldiers
armed themselves. not with helpless.
unnrmcd people, especially women"
The day passed, the women going
about their usual avocations: but
Adam Leslie did not return. II was
not till late In the evening that he rode
at n hard pace up the avenue and Into
the stealing. right up underneath the
stoop or veranda. Bluebell went down
to meet him. then turned away with n
shudder, for she could sec he was deep
ly flushed and his eyes blazing. while
he staggered slightly as he got of his
horse.
SAM" cried Blucbell to the Zulu
servant who had appeared at the
sound OF the horses hoofs. take my
fathers horse. Father. take my arm.
she said, In low voice.
But he flung her on with an oath.
Away into the house! You are
disobedient creature. and I Will have
nothing to do with you!" he snarled.
He himself staggered into the sitting
room. where he lay down on n couch
and fell asleeep. without even remov-
ing his great riding boots.
Bluebell could not speak to him that
night. She crept away. bitterly hu-
inflated and distressed: and Miss
Elizabeth came In and endcavored to
comfort her; but II was such comfort
MS one who is ignorant of the real ma
ture or depth OF wound can give.
By the morning her father had slept
off his drunken 1T. Bluebell managed
to get few minutes alone with him
after breakfast. during which he was
sullen and silent. not exchanging
word with the women.
Bad as Adam Leslie was. he had still
a few instincts of gentleman. ana
one of these told him that he had been
guilty of base and dishonorable act
in selling the information which was
to betray the Boer leaders into the
hands of an enemy.
"Father, must speak to you Tor
minute" Bluebell said, very pale put
very determined. II have been thihk-
ing over what you said last night. l
cannot do what you wish. 1t would De
n crime to sell myself to man i
loathe and fear. But-but you must
escape. This is the time to do IT, "noh
all the country is in confusion, anu
people are leaving every day. ~"
must go down to Durham and get 10
England. Aunt Elizabeth and l shaii
stay on here, and we can senu yo" .no
money we make. The only thihs We
have to do is to throw Mr.. Moore oh
the scent"
He had been glaring at her Win
look that vaguely terrified Bluepeii up
to this moment. Now he Interrupted
her in hoarse, sullen tone. .
"you are mad, child! You don
know what you are talking about! l
am not going to escape OF 10 w o., snv
such thing. in the meantime As ~,
you, you will have to MAKE up ,I1 .
mind sooner or later to marry u .,',
Moore; but he is not gong u .ns
at once. You will have week oi ,"o .o
in which to aecustom yourseii w. ~
,Jea tbat Seems so disagreeable 10
you."- ,,d
ue turned without another wora.
and walked out of the room'