The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-01-08
CHAPTER V.
<'E Yop MUST FIGHT, TAKE A MAN OF
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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 q pleasure-a pecu-
liar coincidence you saved Inc. and
cne 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 pame led me astray"
she goes on. just as If she anG Joe
were alone in the bijou rarlor.
1t is natural-I am used to it. Be-
hold the effect of having a nickname
saddled on to one in boyhood. 1t has
followed me everywhere. \ waggiSh
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 1t 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
him. Mynheer Joe bites his lips, but
says nothing yet. ''The people love
him so, I have always hoped to meet
him. of all men. If ever visited
Egypt. and just to think he has talked
with you, eaten with you. even fought
at your sider'
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 shock 1t will cause
wherever the telegraph can carry it!'
she murmurs.
That reminds me-" exclaims Sandy.
with hasty glance at his watch,
''that l have business before me. You
will excuse my haste" And, with
parting salute. he vanishes.
Mr.. Grimes Is the only one who no
tees 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 storyI" Miss
Tanner pleads.
If you will be seated, 1 will relate
st 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
all 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 a nonen-
tity, and, with a 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 Sle bright scene in and before
Shepherds, and specializing upon the
strange vicissitudes Of fortune that
one day have q man in rags and the
next elevate him to princely income.
Mr.. Grimes is nothing if not a philo-
sopher.
The two left in the cozy little parlor
do not miss the silver king at all, so
wrapped up is Mynheer Joe in his
companion, and so deeply interested
does Molly become in his narrative.
He tells it modestly. for this man
can never boast Of his own exploits.
At the same time he is by force of cir
.cumstances compelled to give facts,
and 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 a tale
to thrill the pulses Of all who admire
a brave. generous heart, devoted to
the good Of his fellowmen. Molly
hardly seems tn hreatha as shn drinks
in mis- words. This man. in her eyes,
is also q hero ten times over. Even
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