The Tupelo journal., 1915-01-29
CHAPTER XIII.
The Hunters Return.

The Hunters Return.
Edith Wayne picked geraniums,
hummed a tango tune and vaguely
wondered when Capt. Duncan Jones
would return from Africa. The month
now was June. In the library by the
open window Edith's mother sat in her
wheel chair, watching the gathering
Of the crimson blossoms which grew
SO p~rofusely in the garden surround
ing the Wayne bungalow.
Mrs. Morris from next door came
across the lawn, her countenance COS
siping of important news.
Edith" she said, have you heard
the tidings? Capt. Duncan Jones and
his friends returned from their African
hunting trip this morning"
"Oh, goody," exclaimed the vel
enthusiastic Edith. you will see that
I meet him, won't you, dear Mrs. Nor
ris?'
THAT / will, darling. And this very
night, too"
"Tonight?'
Eyes! I've already phoned to my
fellow-patronesses of the assembly
ball-and we're going to give a dance
tonight-impromptu-in honor OF Cap
tain Jones and his party"
At ten o'clock that night the assem-
bly, ball was in full swing. Edith had
already danced with many young men
who were more or less open suitors for
her hand. More than n of these
fashionable SWANS had proposed to
her. But each in turn had become a
brother through the diplomacy Of
Edith Wayne. She had no one ia
vorite among them. She liked them
all, but she loved none.
Capt. Duncan Jones, after a tango
with one of the beautiful maidens of
the City Of Angels, excused himself
and left the ballroom. He was cross
ing an anteroom on his way out for
a smoke when he met Mrs. Morris.
They chatted till the ballroom again
swarmed with dancers doing the max
ike. Edith danced past the doorway OF
the anteroom.
"There!' said Captain Jones.
There's the girl want to meet, Mrs.
Morris. Do you know herr"
The result was that when the max
ike ended, Edith entered the ante
room and Mrs. Morris forthwith pre-
scented Capt. Duncan Jones.
Edith felt a distinct quake in her
,o,,J uop hanrt hoaf focf Tho nan.
tain, she was certain, with his bronzed
face and athletic form, was the hand
soonest, manifest man she had ever
seen.
.'Shall we dancer" asked Captain
Jones. as the orchestra broke forth
into another of the Argentine steps.
NO." Edith replied Il want to ask
you about Africa"
They strolled out into the moonlit
garden, where the air was fower-per-
fumed and where fountains made CUR
Cling, tinkling music.
They talked of Africa, and Edith
told him of her own childhood passed
in the jungle and of the tragic passing
of her father.
Near the end Of this. their first
happy hour together in the moonlt
garden, Captain Jones said:
"And-oh, yes-in the jungle I met a
wild man."
wild mani" Edith exclaimed.
"Black, of counsel"
mo. White!"
"a white wild man! How strange!
Why did you not get his story?'
I'VE couldn't" Jones replied. He
was a sort of human island entirely
surrounded by wild animals. And our
Kafirs refused to try to find him for
us. He was wild, yet, somehow, Miss
Wayne, in the one brief encounter l
had with that wild man there was
something about him that deeply In
terested me. He seemed to be-com-
pletely in tune with the wild"
Edith started.
I'm tune with the Wild" she cried,
in a low, thoughtful tone. How CO
incidental! Those were the very
words my father often used-in tune
with the wild! Captain Jones, tell me
more of this wild man."
But just then Uncle Steve appeared,
looking for Edith.