Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-22
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XXV. M"HEY tell me- sir. that Missis
 Marie-that is, Missis Dur
 novo-has gone back to her
 \ people at Sierra Leone"
 Thus spoke Joseph to his master one afternoon in March, not so many years ago. They were on board the steamer Bogamayo, which good vessel was pounding down the west coast of Afri- ca at her best speed. The captain reckoned that he would be anchored at Loango by half past or 8 o'clock that evening. There were only seven pas sengers on board, and dinner had been ordered an hour earlier for the con- venience of all concerned. Joseph was packing his masters clothes in the spacious cabin allotted to him. The owners of the steamer had thought 1t worth their while to make the finder of the simiacine as comfortable as cir cumstances allowed. The noise of that great drug had directed toward the west coast of Africa that floating scum of ne'er-do- welldom which Is ever on the alert for some new land of promise.
 "Who told you that?' asked Jack, drying his hands on towel.
 "One of the stewards. sir; man that was laid up at Sierra Leone in the hospital"
 Jack Meredith paused for a moment before going on deck. He looked out through the open porthole toward the blue shadow on the horizon which was Africa. country that he had never seen three years before and which had all along been destined to influence his whole life.
 "It was the best thing she could do," he said. Tt is to be hoped that she will be happy"
 "Yes, sir, 1t is. She deserves 1t, if that goes for anything in the heavenly reckoning. She's fine woman; good woman that, sir"
 "Yes."
 Joseph was folding shirt very care fully.
 "A bit dusky." he said. smoothing out the linen folds rehectively, but have minded that If had been a marvin man. but I'm not"
 He laid the shirt in the portmanteau and looked up. Jack Meredith had gone on deck.
 While Maurice and Jocelyn Gordon were still at dinner that same even ing a messenger came. announcing the arrival of the Bogamayo in the roads. This news had the effect of curtailing the meal. Maurice Gordon was liable to be called away at any moment thus by the arrival of a steamer. It was not long before he rose from the table and lighted cignr preparatory to go- ing down to his office, where the cap tain of the steamer was by this time awaiting him. It was full moon. and the glorious golden light of the equatorial night shone through the high trees like a new dawn. Hardly c star was visible: even those of the southern hemisphere pale beside the southern moon.
 Maurice Gordon crossed the open space of cultivated garden and plunged Into the black shadow of the forest. His footsteps were inaudible. Sud- denly he ran almost into the arms of . man
 Who the devil is thatf' he cried.
 Meredith" answered a voice.
 "Mercdith-Jack Meredith. Is that your
 "Yes."
 Well. I'm blowed." exclaimed Maurice Gordon. shaking hands: like wise glad. What brought you out here againT'
 -oh. pleasure- replied Jack. with bis face in the shade.
 Pleasure; You've come to the wrong place for that. However, I'll let you find that out for yourself. Go on 10 the bungalow. I'll be back ia less than an hour You'll find Joceiyn on the veran- dn.-
 When Maurice left her Jocelyn went out Into the vcrsnda. It was the be- ginning of the hot season. At midday the sun on his journey northwari no longpr cast a shadow. Jocelyn couh not % ont In the daytime at this period of the year. For fresh air s. had to rely upon A long. dreamy evening In the veranda-
 Sbe sat down in her usual chair while the moonlight. red and glowing. made a pattern on the floor and on her vhife dre<s with the shadows of the crr~pers. The sea was rery looi that nlght. g1sing and falling Ike the breath sf some huee sleeping creature.
 Iocelyn Gor.sn felI into q reverie- Life wss very dull at Lssnzo. There was too rnuch time fer thought and too EftIe to think about This girl had only the past and her past vas all com u<f.ef r1 a fru nnu<ts-fhe few