Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-07-13

Tor his absence, my dear Miss vickers. Z"
Il don't like hattery, Mr.. Meekin, so
don't use it At least" she added, with
a delicious frankness that seemed born
of her very brightness and beauty, mot
that sort Of fattery. Young girls do
like fattery, of course. Don't you think
soY'
This rapid attack quite disconnected
Mr.. Meekin, and he could only bow and
smile at the self-pOssessed young lady.
You have not been here long, Mr..
Meekin." said Sylvia, after a pause.
NO, only a week; and l confess l am
surprised. A lovely climate, but, as |
said just now to Mrs. Jellicoe, the trail
of the serpent-the trail of the serpent
my dear young lady"
eff you send all these wretches here,
you must expect the trail of the ser
pent," said Sylvia. 1T isn't the fault
of the colony. But don't let US talk
about this, Mr.. Meekin," she added,
pushing back a stray curl of golden hair.
Papa says that l am not to talk about
these things, because they are all done
according to the rules of the service, as
he calls it."
IAN admirable notion of papa's," said
Meekin, much relieved as the door open
ed, and Vickers and Frere entered.
Vickers' hair had grown white, but
Frere carried his thirty years as easily
as some men carry twO-and-twenty.
MY dear Sylvia" began Nickers
there's an extraordinary thing" And
then, becoming conscious Of the presence
of the agitated Meekin, he paused.
you know Mr.. Meekin, papaP said
Sylvia. Mr.. Meekin, Captain Frere."
1T have that pleasure" said Vickers
"Glad to see you, sir. Pray sit down"
Upon which Mr.. Meekin beheld Sylvia
unaffectedly kiss both gentlemen; but be
came strangely aware that the kiss be-
slowed upon her father was warmer than
that which greeted her af1anced hus-
band.
Warm weather, Mr.. Meekin," said
Frere. "Sylvia, my darling, l hope you
have not been out in the heat. You
have! Ny dear, I've begged you"
IT'S not hot at ALL" said Sylvia, pet
tishly. "Nonsensei I'm not made of
butter-I sha'n't melt. Thank you, dear
you needn't pull the blind down" And
then, as though angry with herself Cor
her anger, she added, 'You are always
thinking of me, Maurice" and gave hiF
her hand affectionately
Its very oppressive, Captain Frere."
said Meekin; ''and, to a stranger quit
enervating."
"Ay, to be sure" repeated Vlckers-
Il hope Sylvia has not been attaching
you with her strange theories, Mr.
Meekin?'
''Oh, dear, no; not at ALL" returned
Meekin, feeling that this charming youns
lady was regarded as a creature who was
not to be judged by ordinary rules. eve
got on famousls, my dear major-quitt
famously"
That's right" ssSd Vickers. "She is
very plain-spoken, is my little girl, and
strangers can't understand her some
times. Can they, 2oppet? 2"
Poppet tossed her head saucily. 81
don't know" she said. "Why shouldn't
they? But you were going to say some
thing extraordinary when you came in.
What is it, dear?"
'Ah," said Vickers, with grave face.
Yes, a most extraordinary thing.
They've caught those villains"
What, you don't snean- No,
papa!' said Sylvia, tuning round with
alarmed face.
In that little family fsere were, for
conversational purposes, but one set of
villains in the wOrld-tte mutineers of
the Osprey.
They've got four of tem in the bay
at this mOment-Rev, Barrier, Shiers and
Lesly. They are on board the Lady
Jane. The most extraordinary story l
ever heard in my life. II! fellows got
to China, and passed themselves off as
shipwrecked sailors. The merchants in
Canton got up a subscription and sent
them to London. They were recognized
there by old Pine, who had been surgeon
on board the ship they came out in
Sylvia sat down on the nearest chain
with heightened color. And where are
the othersT'
Two were executed In England; the
other six have not been taken. These
fellows have been sent out for trial"
ITO what are you abiding, dear STRIP
asked Meekin.
The piracy of a convict brig FIVE
years ago." replied Vickers. "The scoun-
drels put my poor wife and child ashore
and left them to starve. If it hadn't
been for Frere-God bless him!-they
would have died. They shot the pilot
and a soldier-and-bu it's long story
to tell now"
II have heard of Il already" said
Meekin, ''and of yoa' gallant conduct,
Captain Frere"
"Oh, that's nothing: said Frere, red
dening.
Sylvia was staring at the strip of sun
shine between the veFenda and the blind
as though the bright light might eBsbl,
her to remember sSpething "W hat'V
the matterT asked Sere, bending over