Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-12

!, AT0 yUu uO Uc maITlcQ Ut OUC0
 inquired Jocelyn, with that frank in
 terest which makes 1t 50 much easier l for Q man to talk of his own affairs
 to n woman than to one of his own l sex.
 ] "As soon as I can arrange it." he answered, with little laugh. There
 Is nothing to wait for. We are both orphans, and fortunately we are fairly well off."
 He was fumbling In his breast pocket and presently he rose, crossed the { room and handed her, quite without afterthought or self consciousness, Q photograph In morocco case. 1 Explanation was unnecessary, and Jocelyn Gordon looked smilingly upon a smiling, bright young face.
 "She is very pretty" she said honestly.
 Whereupon Guy Oscard grunted un- intelligibly.
 "Millicent," he said, after a little pause-"M "Milliccnt is her name"
 "Millicent?" repeated Jocelyp. Mil licent what?"
 "Millicent Chyne"
 Jocelyn folded the morocco case to- gether and handed it back to him.
 "She is very pretty" she repeated slowly, as if her mind could only re- produce-lt was incapable of creation. Oscard looked puzzled. Having risen, he did not sit down again, and pres- ently he took his leave, feeling con- vinced that Jocelyn was about to faint.
 When he was gone the girl sat wearlly down.
 "Millicent Chyne.' she whispered. "What is to be donew
 Nothing" she answered to herself after awhile. Nothing. It is not my business. I can do nothing"
 She sat there, alone. as she had been all her life. until the short tropical twi- light fell over the forest. Quite sud- denly she burst Into tears.
 Tt is my business" she sobbed. "It is no good pretending otherwise; but can do nothing"
 
 Four months elapsed and the excite ment created in the small world of western Africa by the first dazzling success of the simiacine expedition be- gan to subside. The thing took its usual course. At first the experts dis believed and then they prophesied that 1t could not last. Finally the active period of envy, hatred and malice gave way to a sullen tolerance not unmixed with an indefinite grudge toward For tune who had favored the brave once more.
 Maurice Gordon was in daily ex- pectation of news from that faroff favored spot they vaguely called the plateau. And Jocelyn did not pretend to conceal from herself the hope that filled her whole being, the hope that Jack Meredith might bring the news in person.
 Instead came Victor Durnovo.
 He came upon her one evening when she was walking slowly home from a mild tea party at the house of a mis- sionary. Hearing footsteps on the sandy soil. she turned and found her self face to face with Durnovo. | T was coming along to see you," be said. and tfssre was a subtle offense in his tone.
 She did not trouble to tell him that Maurice was away for ten days. She felt that he knew that.
 "When do you go backl" she asked carelessly. .. .....
 Almost at once." in a tone that | apologized for causing her necessary pain. q must leave tomorrow or the 1 next day. I do not like the idea of | Meredith being left too long alone up | there with a reduced number of men. 1 Of course. I had to bring pretty large escort. brought down f6O.O0O worth of slmiacine"
 Have you had any more sickness among the menT" sine asked at once in tone of half yelled sarcasm which made him vince.
 "No," he answered: they have been quite all right"
 What time do you start" she asked. | "There are letters for Mir. Meredith at the office. Matrices head clerk will give them 10 you"
 She knew that these letters were from Millicent She had actually had them In her hand She had inhaled the faint, refined scent of the paper and envelopes.
 They had reached the gate of the bungalow garden. She turned and held out her hand in an undeniab,e manner. He bade her goodby and went his way. vaguely what had happened to them both. The conversation had taken a different turn from what he had expected and intended. But some how 1t had got beyond his control. He had looked forward to a very different ending to the Interview. And now he found himself returning somewhat dis to the wretched hotel In Loango ngo-dismissed-sent back. The next day he actually left the little vest African coast town. turning his lace northward with bad grace. Even 1t that distance he feared Jack Mere iith's half yelled sarcasm. Durnovo iad only been allowed to come down io the coast under a promise. graceful ' yelled. but distinct enough. that he should only remain twenty hours in [oango.