Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-05-22
CHAPTER Y.

Ethel ran forward, caught her in her
arms, and, dropping her head on her
shoulders, began to sob stormily.
And then the subtlety of the serpent
came to Peg. She felt that Christian
Petrie, hidden in the shadows, was
watching, and she felt that she must 90
arouse this mans suspicious
Hush, Ethel, DEAR" she said, patting
the girls shoulders" hush! You have
overtired her, Mr.. Stewart" she said,
speaking lightly as she turned to Mat
Han. 1T is a trying day when girl
meets her lover in a strange country
away from all her own friends. Come
along, Ethel, my pet, and lie down
Leave her to me; she will be all right
tomorrow morning"
Il assure YOU" began Nat Han
earnestly, and Peg could not but see
that he was terribly agitated
yes. yes, know understand" said
Peg, as indeed she did, though not in the
way he thought. do please leave her
to me-"
1t was evident Mat Han did not like
leaving them. Peg wondered what he
would do if things were allowed to go
on. Would he get parson and go
through mock marriage? No, he was
too well known in the Malay states for
that, and she thought with a glow of
thankfulness that in a couple of hours
at the very most she might reckon on
Charlie Denton and the stranger whom
she trusted so much more than Charlie
Denton to help them.
And once in their own room Peg dis
missed the maid whom Mat Han had
sent in to wait on them and tried to
find out what was the matter with Ethel
And Ethel, crying and clinging to her,
could not tell
HE frightened me, Peg. I love him
oh, I must love him or / wouldn't have
come SO far to marry him; but he fright
ened me! Oh, if we were married /
wouldn't be frightened"
Ethel dear"-Peg felt herself trem-
bling all over-4if you were frightened
now | think you would be more fright
ened when you were entirely in his pow
er-living alone here in the jungle with
out another white face anywhere near
you. and the only woman to speak to
the little yellow faced maid we have just
seEt out"
"oh, but I'd have you-you wouldn't
leave mel"
Peg began taking down her compan-
ions hair.
y
l shouldn't like to live always here. You
would have your husband, but think how
lonely / would be-"
Ethel Rule turned round with a great
sob and clasped her arms tightly round
Pegs neck.
Peg, / can't let you go-I can't
should die if you went away and left
mel"
Peg kissed her and soothed her. but
she was firm
Dear, you must make up your mind
sooner or later, that ! must go. Prob
ably sooner than either you or I think
for it seems to me that Mr.. Stewart
does not want me-"
The other girl began to cry in a sub
dued way, as if she were afraid of any
one hearing her.
"Oh," she whispered, 'Im frightened,
Peg, to be without you'll"
If you marry Mr.. Stewart you viii
have to do without me-"
"Oh, but what shall do? What can
l do? I've come out here to marry him,
and the parson viii be here tomorrow"
So, thought Peg, he had not told her
all the truth.
Ethel" she whispered softly, "do you
remember the photograph of Lieut.. Den
e"h SAo"eu youI 1ou ddHlIeu MN
very much"
ooh, Peg, don't be selfish! Do think
of my trouble"
Il am thinking, dear How would you
like to consult Lieut. Dentonf"
Peg! Don't be silly!"
Peg put her hand over the girls mouth
lest she should shrek, and the precaution
was not unnecessary. Ethel gave a cry
which she just succeeded in sitting, when
she said quite calmly as if it were an
everyday occurrence:
Lieut.. Denton will be in the garden at
i o'clock, and he viii tell US what to do"
"Will we get a chance to see him p
asked Ethel Just above her breath when
she had recovered herself. 1t was curious
how ten hours had taught her that this
man whom she proposed to marry was
one to be feared.
III you are brave, if you are quiet; if
You make noise. no."
Oh what shall do?"
Lie down on the bed, dear, and leave
it to me-"
Don't 60 away and leave me-"
BE quiet. / must!"
There were no passages All the rooms
opened into the great sitting room and
on TO the veranda, and in the sitting
their door.
Mr.. Stewart" said Peg, gathering all
her courage together Ethel is a little
upset. 1t is only natural. You must
leave her to me. You must not expect
her to come out again tonight"
She has not said good night"
She has worked herself up into such
state she is not fit You must leave
her TO me. Surely you can be little
patient. We are in your house, miles
away in the jungle. / don't see how We
are to get back even il we wanted to.
1ou can wait till tomorrow morning,
can't your
It seemed to Peg that at the mention
OF his power a smile Of content came
over his face.