The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1909-12-18

Il 4 n II RNANh OlOhigs Jul AL " hAi ~
c. the entire situation underwent
a subtle but complete change The
mail steamer brought diScOncerting
news from London. Chase was obliged
10 tell the islanders that notice Of
a contest had been fled. The lineal
heirs had pooled their issues and were
now fighting side by side. The mat
ter would he in chancery for months.
even years. He could almost feel the
gust of rage and disappointment that
swept over the island. although not
a word came from the lips of the sui
len population. The very silence was
forebOdiug
He did not visit the chateau during
that pcrplexinc week. II was hard.
but he resoIutely kept to the path Of
duty. disdaining the pleasures that
beckOned to him. Every day he saw
and talked with Britt and Saunders.
They. as we'll as the brisk Miss Pei
ham. gave him the family news"
from the chateau. II did not require
extraordinary keenneSS on ChaSe's
part to gather that her ladyship and
Browne had suddenly decided to en-
gage in what he would call mild
Irritation, but what Saunders looked
upon as a real attack of love.
IF | had the nerve Id call Browne
good and hard" said Britt over his
julep. 1T isn't right. Ii isn't decent.
The disappear for hours at a time.
and they've always got their heads to-
gether. Poor little DruSi!la, She's
from Boston, Chase. and can't retail
ate. Besides. Deppingham wouldn't
take notice if she tried. The worst OF
it is Deppngham has got an idea that
they may try to put him out Of the
way-him and Drusilla. Awful. isn't
it? And. say, by the way, Saunders is
getting to dislike You intensely"
Il can't help it if he loves the only
stenographer on the island" said
Chase easily. You seem to be the
only one who isn't in hot water all the
time. Britt
ME and the princess" said Britt Ia
conically. Chase looked up quickly.
but the others face was as straight as
could he. If You were a real gentle
man you would come around once in
awhile and give her something to talk
to instead Of about"
Does she talk about me-" quite
steadily
They all do. I've even heard the
white handmaidens discussing you in
glowing terms. You're a regular matt
nee hero up there. my
"Selim" broke in Chase. The Arab
came to the table Immediately. Don't
nut so much liquor in Mr.. Britt'S
drinks after this-mostly water" Britt
grinned amiably.
Il say. Britt. you're not responsible
for this affair between Browne and
Lady Deppingham, are YOU" demand
ed Chase abruptly.
Il? What do you mean"
Il was just wondering if you could
have put Browne up to the game in
the hope that divorce or two might
solve very difficult problem"
Now that you mention it, I'm going
10 look up the church and colonial
divorce laws" said Britt noncommit-
/ tally after a moment.
/ Il advise YOU To hurry" said Chase
cooIly. If YOU can divorce and marry
1 'em inside Of four weeks. with no
, court qualified 70 Try the case nearer
. than India. you are a wonder"
Chase was IN the habit Of visiting
the mines two or three times Il week
during work hours The next morn
! ing after his conversation with Britt
/ he rode out to the mines. When he
reached the brow of rhe last hill. over
/ looking the wide eXpanse in which the
men toilcd. he drew rein sharply and
( stared aghast at what lay before him.
/ Five hundred half naked brown men
/ were congregated in the shade Of the
! trees far To the right. BY the aid Of
| his glasses be could see that one OF
! their number was addressing them in
/ an earnest. violent harangue. II was
+ Won Blitz. From time to time faint
/ sounds of shouts came across the val
/ ley.
Chase Shuddered. He knew what it
4 meant
How about Allah now. Selim:" he
asked sententiouSIy.
Allah is great. Allah is good" mum
bled the Moslem youth, but without
( heart.
DO you think he can save me from
those dogs" asked the master. with
( a kindly smile.
"Sahib. do not go among them to
day" implored SeIim impulsively
They are expecting me. Selim. Il
4 don't come they VIII know that
have fuukcd. They'll know an
afraid Of them"
DO not 90 today" persisted Seliu
. Coc-edly. suddenly lie started. look
ing iutently To- the left along the line
of the hill Chase followed the dire
ton Of his gaze and uttered a shar.
( exclamation Of surprise
Several hundred yards away. cut
. lined against the blue SKY beyond The
| knob. stood tie motiouleSs figure Of q
horse and ir> riders woman I'm q