The Winslow mail., 1924-08-01
VICTOR
ROUSSEAU.
by
ooryRrotir by' VIC cHAH1Aa

fearS and started.
There would be nothing to fear from
the natives in the desert. However
the rebellion might be faring, all the
available warriors would either be
mustered outside the town or, at the
AS for the Hottentots Winton and
Sheila agreed that they would prob
ably remain In the mountains, by the
water, for an indefinite time, since all
their instincts would lie in keeping out
Of the fighting.
1--WE shall meet nobody" said Win
ton as they started, until we reach
the river. Once there, we can recon-
hotter and see how things are faring.
I am confident that the tribesmen will
have found a warm reception"
Yet this, his first prophecy, was
wrong. For, where the last foothill
faded into the blue, in little dry
gully, face down in the dry pit that
he had scooped with his fingers, they
found the skeleton of man beside
a pocketbook.
Winton detached it from the dead
mans grasp and opened it. Inside was
a single envelope with name on it.
Within the envelope was small stone.
The p,an had been Van Worst. The
pebble was the big diamond.
Wintcn sat down beside the skele-
ton, and his shattered nerves gave way
at last He burst into helpless laugh
ter. The irony Of the situation was
too much for him.
The outburst Gained him. When he
arose be felt as if the return of the
stone obliterated all the past, ending
the cycle of misfortune that had begun
with the theft. He caught Sheila to him.
1--WE are going to begin now-begin
to live" he said.
He read her acquiescence in her
happy eyes,
"ADd / am going to have this cut
and set for your engagement ring, even
if it isn't ready before the wedding
ring" added Winton.
After that they went on more brisk
ly. 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
c31 xx1oc
Of getting near Malopo that day, even
II they were keeping a fairly accurate
course. Shella, indeed, was the guide;
Winton alone would have been help
leSsly lost in trying to follow the sun.
1t was middle afternoon, and their
thirst had grown almost uncomfortable.
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-
ceiyed horseman approaching them.
He uttered a glad cry. For the
rider was indubitably a white man, and
he was riding in the white mans
fashion, with toes turned in and a
tight snaffle 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.
He leaped from his saddle with a
yell that would have done credit to
any savage upon the fields, and, grasp
ing Winton's hand, pumped it up and
down violently.
They're all out searching for you
and Miss Sheila !'' he cried. Ned
Burns and half Malopo. l took an idea
that I'd strike off this way. I pre-
sumo that was an inference from intui-
tive premises, Mr.. Garrett? But, thank
God, you are both safe!"
How about Malopo?" shouted Win
ton
"Safe and sound, sir. 1t seems there
was a detachment of police with
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 ab0r1glnal Ban
tus-ran right into them. They didn't
have much heart for fighting after they
got few rounds at five hundred yards.
Malopo only lost seven men, and not
child or woman hurt. And the half
that isn't out looking for you is put
ting the debris underground. And,
Mr.. Garrett, Malopo's going to give
you and Miss Sheila a triumphal pro
| cession, especially her"
Winton's face grew grave. But a
glance at Sheila made it change
swiftly.
''We won't bear malice against Ma
lopo-we can't now" he said softly;
and Sheila agreed
Then he grew very serious.
'We're about finished, SAM" he said.
How far is Mal0po?"
fright over yonder," answered Sam.