The newspaper., 1909-08-06
caught a glimpse of Blakes palm-leaf


murmured. Her frantic strength van
upon her. She felt herself going. and
sought to kneel to ease the fall.
She was reused from the swoon by
Blake's resonant shout: Hey. Miss
Jenny, where are you? We've got
your laundry on the pole in fine
shapei"
The girls faccid limbs grew tense,
and her body quivered with a shudder
of dread and loathing. Yet she set her
little white teeth, and forced herself
to rise and go out to face the men.
Both met her look with a blank stare
of CONSERVATION.
What is it. Miss Genevieve?" cried
Winthrope. You're white as chalk"
IT'S the fever," growled Blake.
She's in the cold stage Get a pot on.
Well"
NO. no; it's not that, It's only
I've been frightened"
Frightened"
BY "a dreadful BEAST"
Beast" repeated Blake, and his
pale eyes flashed as he sprang across
to where his bow and arrows and his
club leaned against the baobab. "T1I
have no beasts nosing around my
dooryard, Must be that skulking lion
l heard last night. I'll show himi" He
caught up his weapons and stalked of
down the cleft.
by Jove," exclaimed Winthrope.
"the man really must be mad. Cali
him back, Miss Genevieve. II any
thing should happen to him"
IF only there might" gasped the
girl.
Why, what do you mean?'
She burst into hysterical laugh.
oh. oh! it's such a joke-such a iokel
Al least he's not a hyena-oh. no; q
brave beast, Hear him shout, And
he actually thinks it's lion. But it
isn't-it's himself. oh, dear, oh.
deari what shall l do?"
Miss Genevieve. what do you
mean? Be calm. pray. be calm,"
"Calm,-when l heard what he
said? Yes; l heard every word, In
the top of the tree"
In the tree? Heavens, Miss-er
Miss Genevieve," stammered Win
thrope, his face paling. Did you
did you hear alp
Notwithstanding he said
What shall do? am so frightened.
What shall do?"
Everything he said?" echoed Win
thrope.
You spoke too low for me to hear:
but I'm sure you faced him like a gem
tleman-I must believe it OF you"
Is, Iaa, h-aash
''Ah. yes: did. Miss Genevieve-I as
sure you. The beast, Yet you see the
plight | am in. 1t is a nasty muddle
indeed IL is, But what can do? He
is strong as a gorilla Really. there is
only one way-no doubt you heard
him taunt me over IT. | assure you
should not be afraid-but il would be
so horrid-so cold-blooded. As a gen
tleman. YOU know"
No: II is not that broke in the
girl. He is right Neither OF us has
the courage-even when he is asleep"
My dear Miss Genevieve. this beast
instinct TO kill
Yes: but think OF him II he is a
beast he is at least a brave one,
While we've haven't the courage OF
EduNlAS- Aihh-nA Nbu NbuiScAA
an English gentleman. Are you going
to stand by. and not lift a finger"
Really. now. Miss Genevieve. to
murder man"
'Selfdefense is not a ~-selt-
preservation. If you have spark OF
manhood"
My dear
For Heavens sake, if you can't do
anything. at least keep still, oh. I'm
sure shall go mad, II only had
been drowned"
All. yes. to be sure. But really
now. what you ask is good deal for a
man to risk. The fellow might wake
up and murder me, Should l take
the risk. might I-er-expect some
manifestation of your gratitude. Miss
Genevieve?"
of course, of course, should al
ways"
"I-ah-refer TO the-the-bestoval
of your hand
My hand? L Would you bargain
for my esteem. I thought you . gen
tleman."
ITO be sure-to be sure' Who says
am not7 But all is fair in love and
war, you know. Your choice Is quite
free. l take 1t. you will not consider
his-er-proposals But IL you do not