Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-09
CHAPTER TX.

|" HOSE who for their sins have
 been to Loango will scarcely
 care to have its beauties re- \ called to memory. And to such as have not visited the spot one can only earnestly recommend Q careful avoidance.
 Suffice it to say, therefore. that there Is such a place, and the curious may find 1t marked in larger type than 1t deserves on the map of Africa, on the west coast of that country and within an inch or so of the equator.
 "This is not checry." Jack Meredith observed to his servant as they found themselves deposited on the beach within Q stone's throw of the French factory.
 "No. sir, not cheery, sir. replied Joseph. He was very busy attending to the landing of their personal effects pnd had only time to be respectful It was Joseph's way to do only one thing at time. on the principle no doubt that enough for the moment is the evil thereof. His manner implied that when those colored gentlemen had got the baggage safely conveyed out of the bo,ts on to the beach 1t would be time enough to think about Loango. It had been arranged by letter that Jack Meredith should put up. as his host expressed It, at the small bunga- low occupied by Maurice Gordon and his sister. Gordon was the local head of a large trading association some what after the style of the old East India company. and his duties partook more of the glory of . governor than of the routine of O trader.
 Of Maurice Gordon's past Meredith knew nothing beyond the fact that they were schoolfcllows strangely brought together again on the deck of coast ing steamer. Maurice Gordon was not . reserved person. and 1t was rather from lack of opportunity than from m excess of caution that he allowed his new found friend to go up the Ogowe river knowing SO little of him. sclf-Mauricc Gordon of Loango.
 On reaching the bungalow Meredith wns pleasantly surprised. It was pret.: ty and homclikc. surrounded by gar den wherein grew a strange profusIon of homcly English vegetables and tropical flowers.
 Jossoh happened to be in front, and as he ncnred the ycrnrda he suddenly stopped at the salute: moreover. he be- gan to wonder in which trunk he had packed his masters crcss clothes.
 An Engiish lady was coming out Of the drawing room window to meet the travciers. She nodded In answer to the servants salutntion and passed oa ts greet the master.
 My brother has been called away suddsny." che raid- "Onc of his sub. agents has been getting into trouble win the natives. 'Of course you arc Mr. Mcredifhr'
 "T am" replied Jack. taking tbe hand she held out; It was a small white hand-smaIl without being frail o' dIaphanous. And you are Mss Cor don. I suppose7 am sorry Gordon k away. but 70 doubt we shall be able to find somewhere Co put up.-
 -You need not do that" she said quietly. This Is Africa. you know You can quite well stay with us. al though Maurice Is away until tcnor row"
 She wss tnll and fair. with q cer taIa statefiness Of caYtiage which har monized vonderfuiIy with a thought ful and pale face. She was not exactly pretty. but gracious and vomanly with honest bine eyes that looked or men snd women alike. She vss prob ably tueuu-esSht year of age. he' manner vss that Of q woman rafhe' then that of a ziri-of one vho was ii fife and not ou the ostsktrtS
 We r.ther pride oarseires- sn' szti. lexIi7g the way Into the draw tns roo.A. -upoa having the b>st hcss' fn Lo.nro Yos vIH. I think be nor -o1fortsfse bere fh2n anywhere
 Tss yos have sIl the ne~ sooks-
 -Ye ve have hscoks s1t nsEzrtne4 T. but of c51rse. ve hve Gu,fe o1f q tke uu<tf