Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-09
"Yes," answered his. ccmpanion curk

had not heard before. When thsy shouted to. announce their arrival it was suddenly hushed. and presently Durnovo came forward to greet them. Meredith hardly knew him. he was so much stronger and healthier in ap- pearance. Durnovo shook hands heart fly.
 "No need to introduce you two" he said, looking from one to the other.
 No; after one mistake we discovered each others Identity in the forest" an- swered Meredith.
 Durnovo smiled, but there was some thing behind the smile. He did not seem to approve of thair meeting with out his intervention.
 The three men walked up toward the house together. It was fair sized house, with heavy matched roof that overhung the walls like the crown of . mushroom. The wills were only mud. and the thatching was nothing else than banana leaves, but there was evil dence of European taste in the garden surrounding the structure and in the glazed windows and wooden door.
 As they approached the open door way three little children, clad in very little more than their native modesty. ran gleefully out and proceeded to engage seats on Jack Meredith's boots, looking upon him as mere public conveyance. They took hardly any notice of him, but chattered and quar- reled among themselves. sometimes in baby English, sometimes in dialect unknown to Oscard and Meredith. "These," said the latter, when they were seated and clinging with their little dusky arms round his legs. "ars the very rummest little kids l ever came across"
 Durnovo gave an impatient laugh and went on toward the house. But Guy Oscard stopped and walked more slowly beside Meredith as he labored along heavy footed.
 "They are the jolliest little souls i'm aginable," continued Jack Meredith. "There," he said to them when they had reached the doorstep. run away. to you mother-very fine ride-no. no more tonight! I'm aweary, you understand, aweary" "Aweary, awe-e-e-aryw repeated tho little things, standing before him in infantile nude rotundity, looking up with bright eyes.
 "Aweary, that is 1t. Good night, Epaminondas; good night, Xantippe! Give ye good hap. most stout Nesto- rius.'
 He stopped and gravely shook hands with each one in turn, and, after fore ing like ceremonial upon Guy Oscard, they reluctantly withdrew.
 "They have not joined us; l sup poser said Oscard as he followed his companion into the house.
 Not yet. They live in this place. Nestorious. I understand. takes care of his mother, who in her turn takes care of this house. He Is one and . half."
 Guy Oscard seemed to have inherited the mind inquisitive from his learned father. He asked another question later on.
 "Who is that woman2" he said during dinner. with little nod toward the doorway through which the object of his curiosity had passed with some plates.
 "That is the mother of the stout Nes- torius," answered Jack-"Durnovo's housekeeper."
 He spoke quietly. looking straight In front of him; and Joseph, who was drawing a cork at the back of the room, was watching his face.
 There was little pause, during which Durnovo drank slowly. Then Guy Oscartl spoke again.
 If she cooked the dinner" he said, 'shc knows her business"
 "Yes," answered Durnovo, "she is . good cook, if she is nothing else"
 It did not sound as if further inquiries woukl be welcome. and so the subject was dropped with silent tribute to the culinary powers of Durnovos house keeper at the Msala station.
 The woman had only appeared for . moment. bringing in some dishes for Joseph-a tall. stately woman, with great dark eyes, In which the patience of motherhood had succeeded to the soft fire of West Indian love and youth. She had the graceful slow carriage of tbe creole. although Ter skin was dark CT than that of those dangerous sirens.
 They call me-" she had said to Jack Meredith in her soft. mumbled English a fortnight earlier. they call md Marie"
 The children he had named after hia own fantasy. and when she had onc< seen him with them there was q not able change in her manner. Her eyes rested on him with sort of wondering attention, and when she cooked hla meals or touched anything that vas hii there was something in her attituds that denoted special care.
 Joseph called her "mlss,s." with [ sort of friendiiness In his voice which never rose to badinage nor descended to familiarity.
 The man who had found the simia cine was eager. restless. full of suspi cion. To the others the scheme obvious ly presented itself h a different light Jack Meredith was dIlettante. ligh' hearted and unsatisfactory. It was i'm possible to arouse any enthusiasm fl him. 10 make him take it seriously