Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-15

something in the touch which made him open his eyes, uncomprehending at first, and then filled with sudden life.
 "Ah!' he sai1, "you-you at last"
 He took her hand in both of his. He was weakened by illness and great fatigue. Perhaps he was of his guard or only half awake.
 T never should have got better if you had not come" he said. Then sud denly he seemed to recall himself, and rose with an effort from his recumbent position. ..""
 T do not know" he said with re turn of his old half humorous manner, whether to thank you 1rst for your hospitality or to beg your pardon for making such interruptions use of it."
 "Sit down." she said quietly. You are not strong enough to stand about" He obeyed her with little laugh.
 You do not know" he said, 'how English looking. It is like tonic. Where is Maurice?' He will be here soon," she replied. "He is attending to t,re landing of the stores. We will soon make you strong and well, for we have come laden with 1 cases of delicacies for your special de- lectatlon Your father chose them him: self"
 We did not expect you for another ten days" said Meredith after little 1 iF onyinryc tp ahanOn fho cl1tn- l ject Marie said that your brothers leave was not up until the week after next"
 We do not always take our full term" said she vaguely. And he never saw it.
 "As matter of fact" she said lightly, T suppose that you loathe all food?'
 'Loathe it." he replied. He was still looking at her, as if in enjoyment of the Englishness and freshness of which he had spoken. Simply loathe it. All Josephs tact and patience are required to make me eat even eleven meals in 1 the day. He would like thirteen"
 At this moment Maurice came in Maurice-hearty, eager, full of life. He clustered in, kicking the furniture throwing his own vitality into the at mosphere Jocelyn knew that he liked i Jack Meredith, and she knew more. She knew, namely, that Maurice Cor don was a different man when Jack Meredith was in Loango. From Mere dith's presence he seemed to gather a sense of security and comfort even as she did-a sense which in herself she understood for women analyZe love), but which in her brother puzzled her.
 Well, old chap" said Maurice, glad to see you. I am glad to see you. Thank heaven you were bowled over by that confounded malaria, for other wise we should have missed you"
 That is one way of looking at it." answered Meredith. But he did not go so far as to say that it was a way which had not previously suggested itself to him.
 "Of course it is. The best way, take 1t. Well. how do you feel?"
 "Oh, much better. thanks. I have got on splendidly the last week, and better still the last five minutes! The worst of It is that I shall be getting 1 well too soon and shall have to be off" Y, -..a.s-ss..
 "Home?" inquired Maurice signih- cantly.
 Jocelyn moved uneasily.
 "Yes, home"
 I've don't often hear people say that they are sorry to leave Loango." said Maurice.
 'T will oblige you whenever you are taken with the desire" answered Jack lightly. "Ioango has been very good friend to me. But I am afraid there 1 is no choice. The doctor speaks very plain words about it. Besides. l am bound to go home"
 ITO sell the simiacine?" inquired Maurice.
 | "Yes."
 Have you the second crop with you;"
 Yes"
 And the trees have improved under cultivation?"
 "Yes," answered Jack rather wonder ingly. "Ycr seem to know lot about it.
 "of course I do," replied Maurice boisterously. 1 From DurnovoT
 "Yes: he even offered to take me into partnership"
 Jack turned on him fin a fash. | Did he indeed? On what condi- tions?"
 And then, when 1t was too late. Maurice saw his mistake. Ii WIS not the frst time that the exuberancc of his nature had got him into q disi- culty.
 "oh. don't know" he replied vaguely. "Its q long story. I'll tell you about II some day"
 Jack wouhi have left 1t there. for tho moment Maurice Gordon had made his meaning quite clear by glanc- ing significantly toward his sister. Her presence he intimated debarred further explanation
 But Jocelyn would not have 1t thus. She sFIrewdly suspected the nature of the bargain proposed by DurnOvo. and a sudden desire possessed her to have IL all out
 If you mean she said. that you cannot tell MT. Mereilth because I am here. you need not hesitate on that ac. count