The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-04-03
MYNHEER JOE,
SssSsssSssSsSSsS
BY ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.
sSsssssssssSssss
BoSSER'SoSs
CHAPTER V.

but she is not the one to remain long
in such a condition of mind, and her
clear laugh serves to brush away the
mist that seems to be gathering over
the little company.
This is indeed a pleasure-a pecu-
liar coincidence you saved me. and
one in our employ rescues you from
the water" she says.
"Kismet. 1t is fate" groans Sandy,
but they pretend not to understand
him, though his meaning is as plain
as daylight.
"You will forgive me for speaking
of you as the poor German castaway
the peculiar name led me astray!'
she goes on, just as if she and Joe
were alone in the bijou parlor.
1T Is natural-I am used to 1t. Be-
hold the effect Of having a nickname
saddled on to one in boyhood. 1t has
followed me everywhere. A waggish
companion corrupted the name of
Miner into 'Mynheer' and tackled
Joe to it. Long ago gave up in de-
spair the attempt to live the name
down. 'Mynheer joe it will be to the
end Of the chapter"
There is an oadity about it that
strikes her as singularly pleasant. All
her gentleman friends are "Mr." or
Colonel" or the Hon" This or That.
Mynheer Joe stands out alone. 1t has
an individuality that marks it above
all others.
"And you are the messenger from
Khartoom. You come with news of
General Gordon?" she continues.
"Yes," he replies simply.
when did you last see him."
ION the 26th day Of January"
"As long ago as that? But I forget
what a tremendous distance khar-
toom is away. How glad the whole
civilized world will be to hear from
himw Mynheer Joe bites his lips, but
says nothing yet. "The people love
him so! I have alwcys hoped to meet
him, of all men, if ever I visited
Egypt, and just to think he has talked
with you, eaten with you, even fought
at your side!'
"And died as close to me as you are
standing at this moment, Miss Tan
ner."
Dead! Gordon dead?" she whis-
pers, aghast.
1T is even so," he replies sadly.
"Can it be possible? Oh, how terri
BILE it is to believe that grand man is
no more! What a shock it will cause
wherever the telegraph can carry it!'
she murmurs.
THAT reminds me-" exclaims Sandy,
with a hasty glance at his watch,
"that have business before me. You
will excuse my haste" And, with a
parting salute, he vanishes.
Mr.. Grimes is the only one who no.
tices his departure, for the others are
too interested in what is passing.
"And you saw him fall? You won't
mind telling me the sad story?" Miss
Tanner pleads.
"If you will be seated, I will relate
It just as I have to Sandy. In the
morning all the world will know the
facts. Surely, there have been rumors
concerning this thing?"
"Yes, but people refused to believe
them. They came from untrustwor-
thy sources, and were hardly in before
contradictions came after. We have
nll been waiting for positive truth. 1t
comes at last with you. Now tell me,
you who were with Gordon, how he
fell"
Mr.. Grimes finds himself q nonen-
tity, and, with smile, betakes him
self from the bijou parlor back of the
portiere. True, he has no cablegram
to send just yet, but he fancies he
may make use of the wires later on in
connection with private business. At
present he can amuse himself watch
Ing the bright scene in and before
Shepherds, and specializing upon the
strange vicissitudes of fortune that
one day have man in rags and the
next elevate him to princely income.
Mr.. Grimes is nothing if not philo-
sopher.
The two left in the cozy little parlor
10 not miss the silver king at all, so
wrapped up is Mynheer Joe in his
companion, and so deeply interested
foes Molly become in his narrative.
He tells it modestly, for this man
ran never boast of his own exploits.
At the same time le is by force Of cir
cumstances compelled to give facts,
ind Molly is at liberty to draw her
own conclusions. AS she already has
a high opinion Of Mynheer Joe, she is
apt to make liberal judge.
How her eyes kindle as she sits
there, spellbound, listening to the
story Of Gordon's death! 1t is tale
10 thrill the pulses Of all who admire
I brave, generous heart, devoted to
The good of his fellowmen. Molly
hardly seems to breathe as she drinks
In mis- words. This man, in her eyes.
is also hero ten times over. Even
mad it not been his arm that plucked
her out Of tie cruel Mediterranean at
Malta, still would she accord him this
exalted position. For has he not been
with Gordon, and does not the re-
Hected light OF the great chieftain fall
mon him? The man whose sword
avenged the death of Chinese Gordon
can aever be aught else but hero in
her eyes.
1t takes some time to tell all, for
Mynhcer Joe rather enjoys this tete-a-
tete with the girl who has become the
belle of European Cairo. Even when
he rapidly sketches his late trip upon
the Nile, and brings the story to a
ronclusion she has many questions to