Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-14
CHAPTER IL.

CHAPTER IN.
" HOSE who for their sins have
been to Loango will scarcely
care to have its beauties re-
4 called to memory. And to such
as have not visited the spot one can
only earnestly recommend careful
avoidance.
Suffice it to say, therefore, that there
Is such place, and the curious may
find 1t marked in larger type than it
deserves on the map of Africa, on the
west coast of that country and within
an inch or SO of the equator.
This is not CHEEKY" Jack Meredith
observed to his servant as they found
themselves deposited on the beach
within stones throw of the French
factory.
NO, sir, not CHEEKY, sir" replied
Joseph. He was very busy attending
to the landing of their personal effects
and had only time to be respectful. 1t
was Joseph's way to do only one thing
at a time, on the principle no doubt
that enough for the moment is the evil
thereof. His manner implied that
when those colored gentlemen had got
the baggage safely conveyed out of the
boats on to the beach 1t would be time
enough to think about Loango.
1t had been arranged by letter that
jack Meredith should put up. as his
host expressed it, at the small bunga-
low occupied by Maurice Gordon and
his sister. Gordon was the local head
u a large trading association some
what after the style of the old East
'ndia company, and his duties partook
more Of the glory Of a governor than
of the routine of trader.
OF Maurice Gorlon's past Meredith
knew nothing beyond the fact that they
We're schoolfellows strangely brought
together again on the deck of coast
ing steamer. Maurice Gordon was not
reserved person, and it was rather
from a lack of opportunity than from
an excess OF caution that he allowed
his new found friend to go up the
Ogowe river knowing SO little of him
self-Maurice Gordon of Loango
On reaching the bungalow Meredith
was pleasantly surprised. 1t was pref
ty and homelike, surrounded by gar
den wherein grew strange profusion
Of homely English vegetables and
tropical flowers.
Joseph happened to be In front and
rs he neared the veranda he suddenly
stopped ut the salute; moreover, he be-
gan to wonder in which trunk he had
packed his masters dress clothes.
An. English lady was coming out Of
the drawing room window to meet the
travellers. She nodded In answer to
the servants salutatiOn ana passed on
to greet the master.
my brother has been called away
suddenly" she said. zone of his sub
agents has been getting into trouble
With the natives. OF course you are
Mr.. Meredith!"
II am" replied Jack. taking the hand
she held out; it was small white
hand-small without being frail or
diaphanous. "And you are Miss Cor
don, l suppose? l am sorry Gordon Is
to find somewhere to put up"
You need not do that" she said
quietly. This is Africa, you know.
You can quite well stay with us, al
though Maurice is away until tomor-
row."
She was tall and fair, with GER
tain stateliness of carriage which har.
monized wonderfully with Thought
full and pale face. She was not exactly
pretty, but gracious and womanly,
with honest blue eyes that looked on
men and women alike. She was prob
ably twenty-eight years Of age; her
manner was that of woman rather
than that of girl-of one who was In
life and not on the outskirts.
1--WE rather pride ourselves" she
said, leading the way into the draw
ing room, upon having the best house
in Loango. You Will, l think, lie more
comfortable here than anywhere"
II see you have all the new books"
Eyes. we have books and magazines;
but, Of course, we live quite out of
the world"
She paused, leaving the conversation
with him rs in the hands of one who
knows his business.
~" he said, filling up the pause.
have hitherto lived In the world-right
In 1t. There is Il lot of dust and com
motion; the dust gets into peoples eyes
and blinds them; the commotion wears
them out; and perhaps. after all.
Loango is better!"
II once met Sir John Meredith"
she said suddenly.
MY father"
He paused. drawing In his legs and
apparently studying his neat brown
boots.
SHOULD you meet him again." he
went on, 'it would not be advisable
to mention my name He might not
care to hear it. We have had slight
difference of opinion. With lIe 1t is
dina:en.. ! ain always glad to hear
about him. l have an immense respect
for hinl."
She listeac,l grarely, with u sym
patty that dad not attempt 10 express
Itself IN worsla. O. slch O. short ac-