The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1911-03-17

cleaned white In the moonlight; the
sea was an expanse of molten gold;
the sky showed stars Gimmed by the
full moon riding high in the heavens.
There was the heavy scent of luscious
fruits and flowers, the rank smell OF
vegetation, the peace Of the land OF
the palm, but the cold cities of the
north were calling to him, and he was
going-going home.
Exhilurated, he tu. lined and waved a
farewell to his servants. "Adios!
Adios!" he called, throwing silver
among them. Then there broke from
among the palms fringing the pianta-
ton a running dark form, a man
speeding III haste, and Freeman's heart
sank a little, because he knew the
signs. This messenger was from u
in trouble. Some one sick or dying
needed him.
II will not CO." he told himself fierce.
ly, but when the native had thrown
himself at his feet and begged him to
come to hi2 father Freeman found
hialself relenting.
"Who is your fatherY' he asked to
gain time, not that it mattered, for
there was no caste among his people.
"The old man Of Oragua" cried the
man. eff the master comes not he
will de-
"NVhy, ne is the voodoo man! Well,
no physician can cure himself. I'll
go. Drive on, Dominique, to Oragua!'
They plunged into the forest road,
the messenger running beside the cart,
one hand resting on the shaft. Free
man sank in}o moody reflection. Tie
regarded this interruption as an au-
gUry chat he Il ! be-. ieia%..l behind.
Among these s1perstitious people BE
was growing to Melieve in all sorts OF
signs and T.2ac2.i~Hc"tr, hardly aware
Of it. 1t did not occur 10 him now to
turn away from the sick man. Go he
must, If only t. "" his scanty but
| practical know g" of medicine to
soothe pain or perhaps effect a cure.
His remedies We're mo lily the simple
old fashioned ones he had learned
from his mother.
Oragua lay W. to the south, Il tiny
~ ~ vi iato lISSlI A-lS X a
few miles away from his plantation.
In going there he could not catch the
fruit steamer. Missing that, ii would be
days before he might get another, I'M
less he tra-ersed many miles 81 rough
roads to reach a railroad line. lie set
tied Iespondently in his seat, his mo-
mcntnry enthusiasm smothered by the
pressing necessity of the moment.
He discovered the old man sunk in Il
state OF coma. He had suffered Il
stroke Of apoplcxy. and there WAS
nothing tho young American could do,
SAY TO apply simple remedies that
would ut least satisfy the wailing rel
atiNes that he was doing something.
IN fact, his presence was needless. his
sacrifice in vain.
Morning found him closing the eyes
Of the old man of Oragua. who had
after all conc to the Great Physician
to 3e cured spiritually as we'll us bod
lily of his ailments. When he had
withdrawn from the hut of mourning
and Dominique had thrust in the cart
a large basket of fruit that the CRATE
full relatives Of the old man of Oragua
had pressed upon Freeman the latter
walked down to a little point of land
that iutted into the sea. When he
emerged from a grove OF palms into
the full sunlight he was startled by
the sight Of a large steamer lying per-
haps Il quarter of a mile from shore.
Two small launches were putting off
from her. and another was almost un-
der his very nose at the waters edge.
Wild with excitement. he rushed
away and called his servant to bring
his luggage. Then he intercepted the
first boat, which had just landed a
dozen tourists, men and women, whe
looked at the sun Drowned American
with friendly eyes.
From the sailors Freeman Learned
that the vessel was the Triposa, a
tourist steamer, cruising among the
islands. Her steering gear had gone
wrong off Oragua, and while it was
being repaired those passengers who
desired it had gone ashore. The steam.
er was outward bound from New York
and would make San Juan in the
course of her trip. They thought ii
likely that the captain would take
Freeman as q passenger.
Delighted at this happy turn Of fate
which seemed to have been brough:
about by the old man Of 0ragua, Ralph
found infinite satisfaction in seeing hk
luggage slowed in the boat. Then h..
gave final directions to Dominique
and babe him farewell.
Now the other launches landed theiI
tourists, and they, too, gazed at Free
man as they streamed past. Suddenly
his heart jumped madly and the blood
raced through his veins as 1t had not
done since he had last seen Lillian
Wade. For there she was, staring
back with wondering eyes. starry with
happiness at seeing him.
Forgetful Of the cotton broker and
his possible relationship to Lillian,
Ralph Freeman found himself holding
her hands and trying to appear con.
ventional before many curious eyes.