The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-07-21
II. trad. Of . millinsr. OH charm

monsieur; she went-and we were sep
grated for a year. Three weeks ago she
wrote to me. She was getting on over
there. If could go out to her I would
do well. We should get married without
delay. She had saved something. II
would soon earn as much as she had.
And here am on the road, In my turn.
for China"
"In this boxw
"What would You have. Monsieur
BombarnacT 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 thousand francs to 60 from
Tiflis to Pekin. But as soon as have
gained them, the company will be re-
paid, / assure you."
"You may rest assured 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 a per
feet state Of preservation"
II thank you," said Kinko, pressing
mis- hands. "Believe me, you will not
find me ungrateful."
"Ah, friend Kinko. shall be paid,
and more than paid"
"And howT'
"By relating, as soon as can do so
without danger to you, the particulars
Of your journey from Tifis to Pekin.
Think now-what a heading for a col
| umn:
"a LOVER IN A BOX!
ZINCA AND KINKOM
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 a
surprise, and then the conversation was
resumed. Naturally, Kinko asked me
how had discovered his secret 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. / had just
lighted my little lamp, and had begun
my supper, when a knock came against
the panel"
II did that, Kinko, did that. And
that night we should have become ac-
quainted if the train had not run into
a dromedary."
TT was you! I breathe again. said
Kinko. I'm what dreams I have lived!
1t was known that some one was hidden
in this box. I 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 I see her again, unless l re-
sumed the journey on foot. Well, l
would have resumed-yes, would"
Brave Kinkow l answered. II am
awfully sorry to have caused you such
apprehensions. Now you are at ease
again, and fancy your chances have
improved now we have made friends"
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 obliquelyi
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 al
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 othel
packages, if the porters had not deposit
ed it with the precautions due to it,
fragility, he would not have been able t,
work the panel, and would have hat
to make a friend somehow before tn,
end of the journey. Fortunately, there
is a special Providence for lovers. H,
told me that every night he had takeI
walk, either in the van or else on thu
station platform where the train ha(
stopped.
II do not believe I am in danger o
being discovered. he said, "unless a
the Chinese frontier-or rather at Kach
gar"
"And why?"
/ '"The custom house is very keen Oh
goods going into China. I am afrai'
} they will come round the packages"
II shall be there, and will de all
can to prevent anything unpleasant hap
} pening."
"Ah, Monsieur Bombarnac!' exclaim
ed Kinko, in a burst of gratitude, 'hoy
can repay your"
4 ASK me to your marriage with tn
. lovely Zinca."
II will. And Zinca will embrace you.
"She will be only doing her dut!
friend Kinko, and l shall be only doin
mine in returning two kisses for one."
We exchanged last grip of the hand
and, really, I think there were teal
in the good fellows eyes when l lei
him. He put out his lamp, he pushe
Q back the panel, then through the case
heard one more thanks" and an "a
rcvoir."
l came out of the van, I shut til
door, assured myself that Popof wa
. still asleep. In a few minutes, after
y breath or two OF the night air, l 60
to my place near Major Noltitz.
(T>> ho continued