The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-01-28

that the EngIisnman might consIder
her exploit ill-bred caused her to sink
back out of sight.
She was hesitating whether to de-
scend or to climb on up, when Win
thrope's peevish whine was cut short
by loud and angry retort from Blake.
Every word came TO the girls ears
with the force of blow.
You do, do you? Well, I'd like to
know where in hell you come in. She's
not your sister, nor your mother, nor
your aunt, and if she's your sweet
heart, you've both been damned close
mouthed over it."
There was an irritable, rasping
murmur from Winthrope, and again
came Blake's loud retort. Look here,
young man, don't you forget you called
me a cad once before. l can stand
good deal from a sick man; but I'll
give it to you straight, you'd better cut
that out Call me a brute or a savage.
if thatIl let off your steam; but, I'M
derstand, I'm none of your English
kinds
Again WINTHROP spoke, this time
in fretful whine.
Blake replied with less anger:
That's so; and I'm going TO show you
that I'm the real thing when it comes
to being d sport. Give you my word,
I'll make no move till you're through
the fever and on your legs again.
What I'll do then depends on my own
sweet will, and don't you forget it. I'm
not after her fortune. It's the lady
herself that takes my fancy. Remem-
Der what | said to you when you called
me a cad the other time. You had
your turn aboard ship. Now I can do
as I please: and that's what I'm going
to do. if l have TO kick you over the
cliff end first, to shut off your pesky
Interference"
The girl crouched back into the
withered foliage, dazed with terror.
Again she heard Blake speak. He had
dropped into a bitter sheer.
NO chance? It's no nerve, you
mean. You could brain me, easy
enough, any night-just walk up With
club when I'm asleep. Trouble is,
you're like most other under dogs
fraid that if you licked your boss,
thered be no soup bones. So 1 guess
I'm slated to stay boss of this colony
grand Poo Bah and Mikado, all in
one. Understand? You mind your
own business, and don't go to inter
fering with me any more!
Now. if you've stared enough at the
lady's skirt"
The threat of discovery stung the
girl to instant action. With almost
frantic haste, she scrambled down TO
the lower branches. and sprang to the
ground. She had never ventured such
leap even in childhood. She struck
lightly but without proper balance,
and pitched over sideways. Her hands
CHANGED to alight upon the remnants
OF leopard skin. Great as was her
fear, she stopped TO gather all to-
gether in the edge of her skirt before
darting up the cleft.
At the baobab she turned and gdzed
back along the cliff edge Before she
had time to draw a second breath. she
caught a glimpse of Blake's palm-leaf
hat near the crown of the ladder tree
"O-o-h,-he didn't see me-" she
murmured. Her frantic strength van
ished. and a deathly sickness came
upon her She felt herself going. and
SOUGHT to kneel to ease the fall.
She was reused from the swoon by
Rlake's resonant shout: Hey. Miss
Jenny! where are you? We've got
your laundry on the pole in fine
shape!"
The girls faced limbs grew tense,
and her body quiyered with a shudder
of dread and loathing. Yet she set her
little white teeth, and forced herself
to rise and go out 10 face the mon.
Both met her look with blank stare
of CONSERVATION.
What is it. Miss Genevieve?" cried
WinthIOpe. 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. 'TH
have no beasts nOsing around my
dooryard! Must be that skulking lion
| heard last night I'll show him" He
caught up his weapons and stalked off
down the cleft.
BY Jove!' exclaimed Winthrope;
the man really must be mad. Call
him back, Miss Genevieve. If 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 ioke-such ioae!
At least he's not a hyena-oh. no,
brave beast! Hear him shout! And
he actually thinks it's a lion, But it
isn't-it's himself! Oh, dear! oh,
dear! what shall | do?"
Miss Genevieve, what do you
mean? Be calm, pray, be calm!"
"Calm!-when | heard what he
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