Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-06-09
"a LOVER IN A BOX!
ZINCA AND KINKOu
1900 LEAGUES THROUGH CEN.
TRIAL ASIA IN A LUG
a A <HI II A Ari ~,

GAGE " AMI.
The young Roumanian could not help
smiling.
Then I went to the door of the van
to see that We We're in no danger of
surprise, and then the conversation was
resumed. Naturally, -Kinko asked me
how I 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 l thought all was
lost. The van was closed. I had just
lighted my little lamp, and had begun
my supper, when knock came against
the panel
81 did that, Kinko, l did that. And
that night we should have become ac-
quainted If the train had not run into
dromedary."
"It was you! 1 breathe again. said
Kinko. I'm what dreams | have livedi
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
Zinea waiting for me in vain; and never
should I see her again, unless l re-
sumed the journey on foot. Well. !
would have resumed-yes, would"
Brave Kinkor' 1 answered. 81 am
awfully sorry to have caused you such
apprehensions. Now you are at ease
again, and I fancy your chances have
improved now we-have made friends
l 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 lid, were a
! few provisions, and table utensils, re-
duced to simple pocket knife and metal
mug; an overcoat and rug hung from
nail, and the little lamp he used al
night time was hooked on to one of the
i walls.
The sliding panel allowed the prisoner
to leave his prison occasionally But
If the case had been placed among -othel
packages, if the posSers had not deposit
ed it with the precautions due to it.
fragility, he would not have been able tt
work. the panel, and would have hat
to make a friend somehow before tn,
end of the journey. Fortunately, ther'
is special Providence for lovers. 81,
told me that every night he had takeI
walk, either In the van or else on tn,
i station platform where the train hat
stopped.
1 81 do not believe l am in danger o
being discovered" he said, "unless a
the Chinese frontier-or rather at Kach
gar"
"And why?'
4eThe custom house is very keen ol
goods going into China. l am afrai,
they will come round the packages"
81 shall be there, and I will do all
can to prevent anything unpleasant hap
pening."
"Ah, Monsieur Bombarnac!' exclaim
ed Kinko, in burst of gratitude, "hoy
can 1 repay you?''
Ask me to your marriage with tn
lovely Zinca."
'I will. And Zinca will embrace you.
She will be only doing her duty
friend Kinko, and I shall be only doin
mine in returning two kisses for one"
We exchanged last grip of the hand
and, really, think there were tear
in the good fellows eyes when l lef
him. He put out his lamp, he pushe
back the panel, then through the case
heard one more thanks and an "a
revoir."
I came out of the van, l Shut th
door, assured myself that Popof wa
still asleep. In few minutes, after
breath or two of the night air, go
I to my place near Major Noltitz.
CTo be continued.)