The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-03-11


eyes hard and bright Suddenly he
burst into a harsh laugh and strobe
away towards the Cliff. savagely
kicking aside the birds that came in
his path.
When, an hour later, the girl crept
back along the cleft TO the baobab
she saw him hard at work building
little hut several yards down to-
wards the barricade. The moment
she perceived what he was about her
bearing became less guarded. and she
took up her own work with a spirit
since the adventure with the puff
adder.
At her call to the noon meal Blake
took his time TO respond, and when
he at last came to join her he was
morose and taciturn. She met him
with a smile and exerted all her wom-
anly tact to conciliate him.
You must help me eat the egg"
she said. 1--WE boiled it hard"
Rather eat beef" he mumbled.
But just to please me-when I've
cooked it your way?"
He uttered an inartiCulate sound
which she chose to interpret as as
sent. The egg was already shelled.
She cut it exactly in half and served
one Of the pieces to him with a bit Of
warm fat and pinch OF salt. As he
took the dish he raised his sullen
eyes TO her face. She met his gaze
with a look of smiling insistence.
Come now" she said; please don't
refuse. I'm sorry l was so rude"
We'll If you feel that way about
it!-not that I care for fancy dishes"
he responded grufly.
TT would be missing half the on
joyment to eat such dejicacy with
out some one to snare it." she said.
Blake looked away without answer.
But she could see that his face was
beginning TO clear Greatly encour-
aged, she chatted away as though they
were seated at her fathers dinner
table and he was an elderly friend
from the business world whom II was
nor duty to entertain.
For a while Blake betrayed little in
terest combining himself to monoSyl-
lahes except when he commented on
the care with which she had cooked
the various dishes. When she least
expected he looked up at her, his lips
parted in 3 broad smile. She stopped
short. for she had been describing her
first social triumphs and his untimely
levily embarrassed her.
Don't get mad Miss Jenny" he
said. his eyes twinkling "Iou don't
know how funny it seems TO sit here
and listen TO you talking about those
things It's like serving up ice cream
and onions in the same dish"
I'm sure. Mr. Blake"
Beats a burlesQue all hollow
Sint-Regis Waldoffs chop-sooey tea
and young Mrs Vandam-Jones' auto
cotillon-with MS sitting here like
troglodytes, chewing snake-poisoned
antelope, and you in that Kundry
dress
DO you--I was NOT aware that you
knew about music"
Don't know note, But give me
a chance to hear good music and I'm
there II have to stand in the peanut
gallery"
oh. I'm so gl-d! I'm very. very
fond of music, Have you been to
Bayreuth?"
"Wheva's that?'
In Germany It Is where his
operas are given as staged by Wagner
himself 1t is indescribably grand
and spiring-above all. the Par
sifal"
"Ill most certainly take that in,
even il | have to cut short my en-
gagement in this gee-lorious cline
not but what when it comes to leopard
ladies" He paused and surveyed her
with frank admiration.
The blood leaped into her face.
oh" she gasped, Il never dreamed
that even such a man as you would
compare me with--with creature
like that"
Such man as me-" repeated
bldRc, staring w nat 10 YOU luedH
| know I'm not much OF ladies' man;
but 10 be yanked up like this when q
fellow Is trying to pay compliment
well, it's not just what you'd call
pleasant"
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Blake.
misunderstood. i"
That's all right. Miss Jenny.
don't ask any lady to beg my pardon.
The only thing is | don't see why you
should fare ont at me that way"
For a full minute she sat with
Iown-bent head, her face clouded with
doubt and indecisiou. AT last she
bravely raised her eyes TO meet his.
DO you wonder that ! am not quite
myself" she asked. You should re
member that | have always had the
utmost comforts of life aud have been
cared for Don't you see how ter
rible it is for me? And then the death
of-of-"
Il can't be sorry for that"
But even you felt how terrible it
was-and then Oh, surely, you must
see how--how embarrassing"
II was Blake's turn TO look down
and he.itate. She studied his face,
her bosom heaving with quickdrawH
breath; but she could make nothing
Of his square jaw and firm-se, lis
His eyes were concealed nv the h m