Marble Hill press., 1900-06-07

IN NATALTGL
3sR1Vs % 5ySS1 ~ rS 1gSEas sS5 ~ y
By H. B. Mackenzie

Adam Leslie laughed uproariously.
Bluebell felt now quite sure that he
had been drinking. He was usually
reserved, even taciturn man, stern
enough towards his household; but
alcohol unloosed his tongue and gave
him certain coarse frankness. !"
quite right, quite right, Mr.. Moore!
1t was her mother gave her the name
romantic freak; but 1t serves its
purpose here, and makes us remember
the poor old 'mitaer' country"
Miss Elizabeth came in presently,
and they all sat down to the abundant
supper. During the meal the two men
talked, Mr.. Moore quietly and gravely,
In a somewhat rich, sonorous voice;
Mr.. Leslie with loud hilarity. Miss
Elizabeth and Bluebell said very little,
and the latter had strange, uncom-
Portable consciousness during the meal
that the dark, slow-moving eyes of the
millionaire turned again and again to
her face. She knew not why the look
made her shiver suddenly every time
she met it all through her warm, joy
GUS heart and body.
The two men talked politics, discuss
ing the likelihood of Kruger's yielding
to Britain's demands.
"Give in? Not he!" cried Leslie
loudly. well, the British know what
to do next, that's one good thing. Wen
sweep the whole race of them from the
earth before we've done with them,
or I'm mistaken, and it's what they
deserved"
IF it comes to war, of course there
can be no doubt as to which side will
win," said Mr.. Moore, more quietly.
Il suppose you have no friends among
the Beers or Afrikanders, Mr.. Leslie?'
Friends among such people?" cried
Mr.. Leslie. "Not very likely! ] Iwould
not admit one of them into my housed"
Bluebell spoke almost for the first
time. Her voice was just little un-
steady, as If emotion of some kind was
stirring it.
"You don't always speak like that,
father. am sure we have never re-
ceived anything but kindness from any
of the Dutch with whom we came in
contact. And, besides, there's good
deal to be said for their desire to rule
their own republic in their own way.
How would we like over in the old
country If foreigners came and settled
down among us-Frenchmen or Ger
mans-and compelled us to conform
to their customs? They are only like
their brave forefathers in the time OF
William the Silent"
Her father interrupted her with a
loud laugh.
Doctor Rothes has provided you
with quite q number of arguments,
Bluebell. But politics are quite out
side woman's sphere, my girl, so
advise you not to take them up. Eth,
Mr.. Moore, isn't that so?"
Il think Miss Leslie would even
make a convert of me-" said the mil
lionaire, bowling gallantly. Again
Bluebell caught his eye, and the look
gave her another shiver MAY l ask
he went on quietly, discussing Miss
Elizabeth's p!e. "who Doctor Rothes
is?"
"a young Englishman over at Lady
smith," replied Mr.. Leslie carelessly
I'VE have him here sometimes. A very
clever young fellow-quite exception
ally clever; but just "a little quixotic
you know, as young fellows are apt to
be-"
Just so; understand" said Mr.
Moore quietly. He glanced at Blue
bell without appearing to do so, and
saw that the healthy rose in her
cheeks had deepened almost imper-
ceptibly in tint, and that her long
lashes dropped over and demurely hid
her eyes.
The millionaire was to stay at New
Kelso-thus Mr.. Leslie had named his
farm in memory of the Scottish town
near which he had lived-all night
Bluebell did not feel nearly as hospit-
able as usual.
Now Kelso was lonely enough
place, being about twelve miles from
Ladysmith, the nearest village, and
the womenfolk sometimes saw nc
outsider for the space of many
months; they were, therefore, all the
more disposed to make the most oi
any stray one who did appear.
But Blubell did not feel that Gerald
Moore was going to be any acquisition
She had vague, groundless dread oi
him, as If his presence denoted danger
II don't like him." she said to her
self. "And yet why should I not? He
has done nothing to make me dislike
or dfstrust him."
Downstairs the two men were sit
ting together at the table, a decantel
of Scotch whisky and two glasses be-
tween them.
They had been speaking in low
tones; but now, as the whisky begar
to take effect, Leslie raised his.
"You are generous man, Moore!'
he cried. "And you are in earnes
when you tell me that this is the sole
return you ask for your extraordinary
generosity"
"The sole return" Moore replied. HI
raised his hands to his lips, and KEEP
1t there for a moment; then, dropping
1t to his glass, which had stood full be
side him all the time though Leslie
had replenished his several times, hi
added slowly: But I must have tina
return, Mr.. Leslie-that and no other
haye set my mind upon It,"
CHAPTER II.
Il was a week later.