The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-06-17

delay. She had saved something.
| wonld soon earn as much as she had.
And here am on the road, in my turn,
for China"
''In this boxY
what would you have, Monsieur
Bombarnac?' asked Kinko, reddening.
II had only money enough to buy a
packing case, a few provisions, and get
myself sent off by an obliging friend. 1t
costs a thousand francs to go from
Ti1is to Pekin. But as soon as l have
gained them, the company will be re-
paid, assure you"
'You may rest assured l will neg
lect nothing which will enable you to ar
rive dry and in one piece at Mademoi-
selle Zinca Klork's-in short, in per
feet state Of preservation"
II thank you," said Kinko, pressing
his hands. Believe me, you will not
find me ungrateful."
"Ah, friend Kinko, shall be paid,
and more than paid"
"And howY'
"By relating, as soon as can do 50
without danger to you, the particulars
of your journey from Tifis to Pekin.
Think now-what heading for a col
umn:
"A LOVER IN A BOX!
ZINCA AND KINKOy
1900 LEAGUES THROUGH CEN
TRIAL ASIA IN A LUG
GAGE VAN!!"
The young Roumanian could not help
smiling.
Then I went to the door of the van
to sec that We We're in no danger of q
surprise. and then the conversation was
resumed. Naturally, Kinko asked me
how I had discovered his secret. 1 told
him all that had passed on the steamer
during his voyage across the Caspian.
But" said he to me, lowering his
voice, two nights ago thought all was
lost. The van was closed. l had just
lighted my little lamp, and had begun
my supper, when knock came against
the panel"
II did that, Kinko, I did that. And
that night we should have become ac-
quainted if the train had not run into
a dromedary."
1T was you! 1 breathe again. said
Kinko. I'm what dreams l have lived!
1t was known that some one was hidden
in this box. l saw myself discovered,
handed over to the police, taken to pris-
on at Merv or Bokhara, and my little
Zinca waiting for me in vain; and never
should l see her again. unless re-
sumed the journey on foot. Well, I
would have resumed-yes, I would"
"Brave Kinko!" l answered. Il am
awfully sorry to have caused you such
apprehensions. Now you are at ease
again, and l fancy your chances have
improved now we have made friends"
I then asked kinko to show me how
he managed in his box. Nothing could
be simpler or better arranged. At the
bottom was a seat on which he sat, with
the necessary space for him to stretch
his legs when he placed them obliquely;
under the seat, shut in by a lid. were a
few provisions, and table utensils, re-
duced to simple pocket knife and metal
mug; an overcoat and rug hung from
a nail. and the little lamp he used at
night time was hooked on to one of the
walls.
The sliding panel allowed the prisoner
to leave his prison occasionally. But
if the case had been placed among other
packages, if the porters had not deposit
ed it with the precautions due to its
fragility, he would not have been able to
work the panel, and would have had
to make 4 friend somehow before the
end of the journey. Fortunately, there
is a special Providence for lovers. He
told me that every night he had taken
walk, either in the van or else on the
station platform where the train had
stopped.
II do not believe I am in danger of
being discovered" he said, "unless at
the Chinese frontier-or rather at Kach-
gar"
"And why"
goods going into China. am afraid
they will come round the packages"
Il shall be there. and will do all
can to prevent anything unpleasant hap
pening."
"Ah, Monsieur Bombarnacv' exclaim
ed Kinko, in a burst of gratitude, chow
can l repay you?'
ASK me to your marriage with the
lovely Zinca."
Il will. And Zinca will embrace you"
"She will be only doing her duty,
friend Kinko, and l shall be only doing
mine in returning two kisses for one"
We exchanged last grip of the hand;
and, really, l think there were tears
in the good fellows eyes when 4 left
him. He put out his lamp. he pushed
back the panel, then through the case /
heard one more thanks and an Eau
rcvoir."
came out Of the van, shut the
door, assured myself that Popof was
still asleep. In few minutes, after a
- ,:~hk 7 H.
to my place near Major Noltitz.
Ito be continued.)
=