The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-05-15
Diamonds of MalOpO
BY VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright by W. G.. Chapman

| stone obliterated all the past, ending
the cycle of misfortune that had begun
with the theft. He caught Sheila to him
"We are going to begin now-begir
to live,' he said.
He read her acQuiescence in her
happy eyes.
"And | am going to have this cut
and set for your engagement ring, ever
if it isn't ready before the wedding
ring added Winton.
After that they wept on more brisk
~. Their hunger only made them
more buoyant and resolved to reach
their destination before their strength
failed them. But as the day grew
hotter and the sky remained cloudless
their speed slackened. A natural re-
action and depression came on them.
They rested at noon and resumed their
| journey silently. There was no hope
of getting near Malopo that day.
1t was middle afternoon, and their
Still, they hoped. Rain would come,
must come, by nightfall. The sun was
halfway down in the west when sud
denly Winton, lifting up his eyes, per
ceived a horseman approaching them.
He uttered a glad cry. For the
rider was Individually a white man, and
he was riding in the white mans
fashion, with toes turned in and a
tight snaf1e and loose curb.
That was where Winton made his
second wrong guess that day. The
man was not white but coal-black; he
seemed to blacken the air around him
within the distance of an aureole.
1t was Sam.
They're all out searching for you
and Miss Sheila! !" he cried. "Ned
Burns and half Malopo. 1 took an idea
that I'd strike off this way. l pre-
sumo that was an inference from intuf-
tive premises, Mr.. Garrett? But, thank
God, you are both safel"
"How about Malopo?" shouted Win
ton.
"Safe and sound, sir. 1t seems there
was a detachment of police with a
couple of Maxims on the way up from
vryburg before the row began. The
government had been wider awake
than we gave them credit for being.
And those nig-colored aboriginal Ban
tus-ran right into them. They didn't
have much heart for fighting after they
got a few rounds at five hundred yards.
Malopo only lost seven men, and not a
child or woman hurt. And the half
that isn't put looking for you is put
ting the debris underground. And,
Mr.. Garrett, Malopo's going to give
you and Miss Sheila a triumphal pro
c~ession, especially her"
Winton's face grew grave. But a
at Sheila made it change
swiftly.
eve won't bear malice against Ma
can't now" he said softly;
and Sheila agreed.
Then he grew very serious.
"We're about finished, SAM" he said.
How far is Malopo?"
fright over yonder," answered Sam.
Not ten miles away. Miss Sheila can
make it on my horse in an hour"
Sam, 1 see you haven't a water
"Why, Mr.. Garrett, we've got a
o%ackhorse with a water skin. If only
hadn't left the crowdl We might
sight them on the way back, though,
Miss Sheila is sure to come upon
some of them
"If only we had something moist,
SAM" groaned Winton.
"Why, Mr.. Garrett" exclaimed Sam,
I never thought of it, but here's some
hing I found growing in the desert. l
picked two of them, and I think I'll
AXE the seeds back and plant them.
IN glad l didn't eat both"
And from the other side Of his saddle
detached a huge wild watermelon,
which he divided with his knife. He
landed half to Sheila and the other
lalf to Winton.
The fruit was insipid in flavor, but
t tasted to the travellers like nectar.
Winton discarded the g%nawed-out
hell. "Sam," he said.
"Sir?"
Il hate to be personal, Sam, but
eally-"
"Pray don't mention it," answered
am politely.
GLOW about those primeval in
Sam?'
1.-THE END