Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1904-07-29

He thrust his hand into the pocket
Of his ragged trousers and drew out q
letter.
'-rhis," be said, ''calns by the last
fruit steamer he one that goes ION
further south. It's from her. She says
that ~ can't leave my work-imag-
inc my work!-tc come to her, she
IN coming down here to marry me.
She 10 coming on the Southern Gross.
due here tomorrow"
you've written her not to come. OF
course. said the consul, With convic-
ton.
Brant smiled wearily.
"You forgot the steamer this letter
came ON two months ago doesn't stop
on its way north. There Ii no mail
north until the Southern Gross goes
back She h coming tomorrow"
Good Lordr' said the consul ex-
citedly, ~ the truth OF the matter
dawned upon him.
Nov" said Brant with more de-
termination than the consul dreamed
he could muster. II want your help.
First, want you to lend me razor
and some clothes. II You win. TIL meet
her tomorrow In fairly respectable
guiss; but don't dare trust myself
after zee her. I want to bring her
here to the consulate, and want you
to tell her-here. before me-what
manner OF man / am.
He opened the soiied shirt, and from
the inside unpinned a few balls.
Il made this working with tho ma
tives on one of the plantations IT'S
the passage money back. want you
to send her back to the States. VIII
your
The consul was lost In thought for
some time. The other waited patient
~.
"See here" said the consul at length.
II stand in pretty well with Toro and
his cabinet. I think can get you a
place on the railroad the government
IL building
Brant held out deprecating hand.
Rum and the coast have played a
merry game with me-" he said mean
ingly. You'd better send her back
frst, Then I'd like to try again"
Thetconsuly suddenly assiEsd Brnnt's
hand.
"I'l do my best for you," he prom
Used.
q
Antigua behaved herself the follow
ing day. At sunset, Brant and the
consul stood on the beach, watching
the great bulk Of the Southern Cross
glide to her moorlngs through the
CLASSY water. The palms stood out
sharply against q sky Of red and gold,
and far to the east dim little stars
were struggling to peep out Of the pale
blue sky.
Both men stood silently on the shore;
Brant calm and straight. his eyes ON
the unruffied bay; the consul, with one
hand holding his hat, the other nerv-
oualy pulling his mustache.
Presently the gig was lowered from
the steamers side with much scream
ing Of the davit-blocks. without a
word the consul walked back to his
little shack and entered the room that
served him az ofice.
Some moments later he heard the
tread of footsteps on the yeranda and
girls light laughter. The consul rose
and involuntarily squared his shout
ders.
Brant entered and with him was a
dark-eyed, laughing girl. The consul
experienced a sudden overwhelming
sense Of helplessness.
He was vaguely aware that Brant
was speaking words Of introduction;
vaguely aware that he had taken q
soft little hand in his own. and that he
was looking into a pair OF happy. un-
clouded eyes. Then there was strain-
ed silence until Brant coughed nerv-
ously. The consul cleared his throat,
Redeemed to the roots OF his hair, and
began:
Miss Kent, want to say q few
words to you about Mr.. Brant and
and-er-this coast fear you have
been deceived, or at least that matters
have been more or less ovcrdrawn to
you"
The girls eyes grew wide with
troubled, questioning look. Grayson
set his teeth.
HE has deceived you brutally," the
consul blurted out. "You must go
back to the States"
Il don't understand you. We are to
be married here. i shall stay" said
the girl bravely.
Il tell you he has deceived you."
said the consul savagely. "You must
go back"
The big eyes grew frightened. Her
lip Quivered. Then she caught one of
Brant's hands In both her own.