Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-02-04
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giddiness. As her head came above
the level of the cliff. she peered
through the foliage, and saw the sig
headland. The big piece of white
duck stood out bravely against the
blue sky. all the more conspicuous for
the fiocks of frightened seafowl which
wheeled above and around it.
Surprised that she did not see the
men, Miss Leslie started to draw her
self up over the cliff edge. She
heard Winthropes voice few yards
away to her left. A sudden realization
that the Englshman 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 a 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 il she's your sweet
heart, you've both been damned close
mouthed over it."
There was an irritable, rasping
nurmur from Winthrope. and again
came Blakes loud retort. Look here,
young man. don't you forget you called
me q cad once before. l can stand a
good deal from sick man; but I'll
give 1t to you straight, you'd better cut
that out. Call me brute or savage,
If thatll let of your steam: but, I'M
derstand, I'm none OF your English
kinds"
Again Winthrope 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 1t comes
to being a 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 1t. 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 | please; and that's what I'm going
to do, IL 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 bitter sheer.
mo 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,
there'd be no soup bones. So 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
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 gazed
back along the cliff edge. Before she
had time to draw a second breath, she
caught a glimpse of Blakes 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
Blake's resonant shout: Hey, Miss
Jenny! where are you? We've got
your laundry on the pole in fine
shapen'
The girls fiaccid 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 blank stare
of CONSERVATION.
What is 1t, Miss Genevieve?" cried
Winthrope. You're white as chalk!"
ITS the fever." growled Blake.
"She's in the cold stage. Get a pot on.
Well"
mo. 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 I'll
have no beasts nosing around my
dooryard, Must be that skulking lion
l heard last night. I'll show him," He
caught up his weapons and stalked off