The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-12

to be agreeable and concilatory TO the
man, casting. however slight furtive de-
predatory glances In Smellie's direction,
from time TO time, as she did se.-
senor Madera-who was evidently a sea-
man and not improbably the master OF a
slaver-remained the guest OF Don Manuel
for the night, sleeping under his roof
and taking his departure very, early next
morning. before either Smeliie OF I had
turned out, In fact. On our making our
appearance Don Manuel referred 70 his
late visitor explaining that he command
ed ship which traded regularly TO the
river. and was one of the few individuals
through whom he maintained communica-
tion with his native country He apolo-
gized very gracefully for his acauaint-
ance's brusQue behavior OF the night be-
fore, which, whilst deprecating. he ex-
plained by attributing II to n feeling OF
jealousy, MADEIRA having, II would ap-
pear. exhibited decided disposition 10
pay serious attention TO Dona Antonia
during his last two or three visits And
Don Manuel suggested-being like the
rest of his countrymen. OF an exceedingly
Jealous disposition, IL was possible that
he would feel somewhat annoyed at fnd-
ing two gentlemen domiciled beneath the
same roof as his inamorata At this
Smellie drew himself up rather haughtily
and was beginning TO express his pro-
round regret that our presence in the
house should prove the means OF intro
ducing a discordant element into an af-
fair OF so delicate nature when Don
Manuel interrupted him by assuring us
both that he regarded the circumstance
as rather fortunate than otherwise. since
however much he might esteem Senior
MADEIRA as an acquaintance and a man
OF business. he was by no means the class
OF person 10 whom ne would be disposed
TO confide the happiness OF his daughter
This little apology and explanation hav-
ing been made, the party separated. Smell
lie retiring to the veranda with a book 10
study Spanish, while Don Manuel and /
trudged of with our guns and butterfly
nets as usual.
On our return we found that MADEIRA
had again put In an appearance. and an
other evening of constralnt and Irritation
was the result. This occurred also on
the third evening. after which, for short
time, Senor MADEIRA apparently conscious
of the fact that his company was not al
together desirable. relieved US OF his
presence.
Just at this time II happened unfortu-
nately--or fortunately rather as the event
proved-that Don Manuel was confined TO
the house. his hand having been badly
stung by some poisonous insect, and I
avaied myself OF the opportunity to make
an exploration OF the neighborhood We
had. Of course. taken an early opportuni-
ty TO acquaint Don Manuel with our ex-
pectation that the Daphne would again
visit the river at no very distant period
and that whenever such an event occurred
we should make a very strenuous effort
to rejoin her. and he had promised to
use every means that lay In his power
to procure for us timely notice of her
arrival, pointing out at the same time
the paucity OF his sources OF information
and suggesting that whfle II would AFFORD
him unmingled pleasure 20 retain us as
his guests for an indefinite period IL would
be we'll for us. when we were quite tired
OF our sojourn ashore, 10 ourselves keep
a lookout for the appearance OF the ship.
So on the occasion OF Don Manuel'e ac-
ciG>nt. finding Smellie unwilling-as In
deed he was still unable--to take a long
walk. determined. as I nave already
said. to make n thorough exploration OF
the neighborhood. and AZ the same time
endeavor to ascertain whether the Daphne
was once more IN the river
Maderas appearance at Don Manuers
house, coupled with the evident fact that
he was a seaman. had at once suggested
to me the strong probability that there
must be n nnvigable creek at no very
great distance and I thought II might
be useful TO ascertain whether such act
ually was or was not the case. and--n
the event OF this question being decided
In the affirmative-also 10 ascertain the
precise locality OF the said creek OF
course II would have been very sim
pie matter 10 put the question directly
20 Don Manuel; but he had evinced such
very palpable embarrassment and reti-
cence whenever Maderas name had been
mentioned that thought II would be bet
ter 20 rely. In the first instance ~ all
events. upon my own personal investiga-
tions So when I left the house that
morning " was with the determination
20 settle this question before turning my
attention 20 anything else.
(To be Continued Tomorrow