El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-27
By Constance BurleIgh.

round the girl, and he kissed her pas
sionately
How strange you look. Cecil. What
is the matter?''
His voice was husky
I'VE arranged that our wedding
should take place this day month"
The color stole back into her face, but
left it quickly at his next words.
Suppose something happened to
prevent it taking place on that date?"
''Ohl''-a piteous little cry. "Oh.
Cecil, why do you talk like this, and
look so strange? Why do you brighten
me sou
IT don't want to brighten you.
Xadge. but orders arrived from head
quarters this morning"
'Yes-what?" gasped Madge.
Our marriage will have to- be post
poned.'
"oh. Cecil. why? Till when?"
For a moment Cecil did not answer.
He gazed straight before him. He
was tall. well set up and exceedingly
handsome. Too good looking for
man." had been one woman's verdict.
He had fair curly hair, fine blue eyes.
with lashes women envied, and a per-
feet Greek nose
A flawless face, most would say, but
q student of human faces would have
caviled at the mouth and chin-they
were very weak. and indicated love OF
self and luxury. But to Madge he was
a god, hero.
She could not bear the silence.
"Cecili" she whispered.
He cleared his throat.
II gather from the newspapers this
morning that there will be a good deal
of work to be done down in South
Africa-unexpected mischief with the
natives-and as our corps has to sup
ply a mounted detachment our colonel
gives me the chance of joining it if I
can pass the doctor. OF course. I
must go; II is the finest chance of /
making money and getting on that l
have ever had; it is not only just the
fighting you see, but I shall have other
prospects also
But you are not a poor man now.
Cecil, the appointment you hold in
England is good one. Can we not
let wealth go, and take our happi-
ness?'
"Dont be silly, Madge." He spoke !
almost roughly. Il want to be
wealthy man. and 1 tell you this is a
grand chance for a man to become rich
and powerful"
Wealth and power and love and
happiness don't always go together,
breathed Madge, .tand there is no pa
triotism about your wish to go. 1t is
not love of your country that is steal
ing you from me-" The girls voice 1
was almost bitter
Cecil put a world of expression into
those beautiful eyes of his and his
voice was tender as he kissed her and |
Goodbye. my sweetheart my darl- I
ingi" He kissed her once, twice, a
dozen times and was gone.
The months passed and Cecil did not |
return to claim his love. Rumors |
floated back from the South African /
Jungle telling of a fierce struggle with /
Kaffirs and a long list of missing. |
Cecil was among them
At last after two years had gone
by and her lover had not been heard
rom, Madge became partially recon
eiled to her loss, and married Mark
Sherborne, a wealthy South African
planter, who took her to far off land
20 preside over his household.
you are late tonight, Mark?'
Madge Sherbourne looked up at her
husband with a smile. They had been
settled out in South Africa for year
now, and life passed along TRANQUILITY
enough.
yes, Madge dear; 1 have had lot
TO see today. There is a good deal Of
rouble with the Kaffirs hereabouts. /
md the commissioner doesn't seem to +
AYE the power over them he Ought to
nave There is moreover an ex-British
officer wandering about their kraals
who seems to have them all under his |,
.hunb I don't like the fellow over
much myself; can't make out if ne is
altogether straight or how he has got
such q power over these chaps He's
l legacy of the war; seems to have
1een left behind here as some sort of
adviser to the natives I've had a long
ak with him today. The natives call
lin the Great White Grief I'm going
o try to propitiate hints a thing
don't like doing-and get him to use
lis influence for us. I've asked him
o dinner tomorrow. Madge and I'd
IKE you to be nice to him."
Very well, Mark. I'll see the dinner
S all right. and make myself espec-
ally charming. What Is his Manner
he asked idly.
Mansbridge-Capt. Cecil Mans
ridge
Madge turned deadly pale. For an
Instant everything seemed dark
round her, and she stretched out her
ands as though to ward off a blow.
Great heavensr' she muttered, under
er breath. What name did you say?"
Cecil Mansbridge," Mark answered
uietly. What is the matter, Madge
ear, don't you feel well?"
"Oh. I'm all right But it is close in
ere; III go out on the veranda for
title while
She turned towards the French win
ows, but looked back with pitiful
tempt at a smile.
"Oh, Mark, must he come? You
ont like him. and it will be horrid
aying to be nice to himi"
Foolish little girl" said Mark tend
rly; you look quite pale and worried
can assure you Mansbridge is far
rom being a DOGGY In fact, he is a
orribly good looking chap. and I shall
E quite jealous if you are too nice
himi'
The words were spoken lightly, jest
Ugly. All, Little did Mark know how
ley pierced the heart of the terrified
Irl. {
As the dinner hour approached next
ay, and Cecil Mansbridge was ex
scted aQV minute manic Snizad