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The Clinton News-Record, 1898-02-26, Page 3t 111-1 T _4 _ . 1.111 _ ._. � _ . Under an Arica dun. CHAPTER L i "Not more than ten. You will sol "Nell, ,t eon my word, Fraser I mind the climb down I" "\Nell, if it's like this -yes. Hillo "What's the matter now?" what's he duing?" Digby "I'm staggered; I am, really." pointed aoross the barranco tt where a couple of hundred yards away "What about, boy?" "To upon the opposite rook -face, a mat think I could be such an absolute seemed to be slowly descending" th, noodle as to let you morally bind me giddy wall. After birds or rabbits, perhaps," sal' land and loot and bear and off into s I raster. desolate island in the Atlantic, to car- 'fake care of yourself, old chap P ry your confounded specimens; be drag- Ihouted Digby; and then, as his' void was lost in the vastness of the place gad out of bed at unt}ioly hours to walk he followed his companion seaward fo: hundreds of miles in the broiling' sun; a few hundred yards till the track Tec tv sleep in'beds full of 'the active and them to a zig-zag descent out in th, nameleas insect abhorred by the Brit- wall of rock, down which they wen cautiously and not without hesitat}oi lab housewife; and generally become till they reached the little stream, a Your white nigger; ead,carthorse, and'- the bottom, crossed it, and ascended th, "Have you nearly done?" said Hbr- other side, a similar dangerous pat) taking theta to the top. see Fraser, with a rim smile upon hie g By George, this ie a place 1" sate dry quaint oalantenanee. t "No; Digby as they paused for a few mom that was only the preface." "Then sAtListen I" whispered Fraser, stopping let's' have the rest when we short; and there beneath them was c get home in the shape of a neatly � panting and rustling, followed directl2 printed book, a copy of which you can I after by the appearance of a dark fact present to me with a paper -knife of with a band across the brow, a mat with a basket supported on his, bail white !vc ry; and I promise you I will by the band to leave his hands free 'fever cut a leaf or read a line." climbing up from a hidden path amouE "Thanks Di nes." the ferns, and pausing before them tc �a , "Diognes indeed t" cried Fraser with • et dove his load. � What have you there 9" asked Fran a snort, as his crisp hair seemed to er in Spanish. Itand an end. "Now look, Tom Digby; i "Dust of the old people, senor Ingr- lode," "That rou ase about the most ill -conditional, said the man, smiling. it ane of the caves below there where ungrateful, dissatisfied English cub that they used to bury them; a.nd he point - ►ver breathed." ed to an opening just visible amongst f "Go it 1" said the ood-lookin young g g the growth where the side of the bar• tellovv addressed, .as he flung himsel fl rano slo d. P e •'Buried? There?" said Fraser. lown among the ferns and began to "Yes, senor; there are plenty of sucl itntie his oboes, after wiping his steam- Places as this in the sides of the mou.n- ng brow, and taking Off his straw hat, taro." Curious," said Fraser, eagerly peer• to let the hot dry breeze blow through i g into the basket of brown dust, stir - his crisp wavy brown hair. ring it with the end of his alpenstock "I mean to 'go it,' as, you so coarse- and uncovering something gleaming and white. ly `arm it, air," continued Fraser, cross- I • �Vby, it's a tooth!" said Digby, stoop- ing his arms On a roughly made alpen- ing to pick it out of the basket„ but steak. "I came to you in your black dropping it suddenly. "Ughl" he ejac- and grimy chambers, where You were elated; "why, they're bits of bone." "Yes; very interesting," said Fraser. suffering front a soot -engendered cold. "llust of the Guanche mummies. I I said: "I am off to the Canaries for knew- there were remains to be found." "Disgusting a three motitbs' trip:' Leave this mus- I" ejaculated Digby, re- arable Lohdon March weather, and I'll coiling. i ' Vv'hy do you get this dust?" asked take you where you can see the sun Frazer of the man. Wile."' "For my garden, senor. The pota- "See it shine? Yes; but you didn't toes and onions like it, and it is superb." "What does he say?" say a word about feeling it," cried the "They use it for manure for their younger man. "lis you aliow the skin gardens." Digby seized hie friend's arm. "Come is peelin off m nose, and that the g y sway," he said, "No mune vegetables back of my neck is burnt ?" s i while I stay in Isola, Hang it all "Don't he a donkey, Tom 1 I ask, did Fraser, I hope they don't put it among you ever see anything so lovely before the orange -trees." in our life?" "Possibly'! Why not? This is the "Humph 1 'Tis rather pretty," debris of mummies, the remains of the grumbled the younger man. old dwollers here, made of the dust "Pretty !" echoed Fraser contemptu- of the earth, returned to t•he dust of ;ugly, as he took off his hat, as if out, the earth; and the salts here are tak- if respect to Nature, and gazed around en up by plant -life by Nature's won- oim at sea, sky, mountain, and hill, derful •chemistry." whose hues were dazzling in their "I cay, don't preach science," cried rich colours: He then threw down his Digby, 'Come along." Apenstook, drew a large geological "Yee, we must go un now," said hammer from his belt, and seated him- Fraser tbouglltfully: "but we shall -.elf uppon the grass, while his companion hrought ha -e to come and explore those caves. out a cold chickan, some dark I should like to take back a few per- hread, and .a number of hard-boiled feet, skulls." eggs, finishing off with a bottle and For the next two hours they wand - silver cup. "Look at that wonderful film of cloud ered on through scenes of surpassing loveliness, following the faint track floating toward the volcano, Tonal Look which lad them over the mountains till at the sun gleaming upon itl Just they could see the sea on the other side, like a silver veil which the queen of of the little island, as they began to mountains is about to throw over' her descend. Fraser ,vas always busy head." chipping fragments of pumice anti lava; Poetry, by jingo'l" cried Digby. picking rare plants, and making a "Brayvo old stones and bones, I sayl goodly collection for study at the lit - Look at the golden yellow of the hard tle vents or hostel where they bad yolk lying within the ivory walls of taken up their quarters. when a rab- this hard-boiled egg; ana at the— '['here; bit suddenly darted out across the ver - I'll be hanged if I didn't for- dant path they pursued. get to bring some salt l" Tom Digby made a sound with his "Rather tlisappointing place as to game," said Digby. "Fenn birds, too. -ongue as he lasted some of, the wi4e, I say, I expected to see the place with as had poured into the cup; then he wade a canaries as yellow as gold singing on grimace. "I cay. Horace. old chap, it, was all. every bough,-1'st 1" Ile caught his con anion's aria, and c er wail Lar t he old eu ile to a Y m ke A 1 the } Poth to t u to Y e d hot to Its e pvo a fuss about their sack and canary; but a sweet pure ce singing the words for my part a tankard of honest Eng- lith beer is of surae Spanish ditty, the notes ring - worth an ocean of this miserable juice." ing Out melodious and clear, tbough the singer was hidden among the trees DOn't drink it, then," said Fraser, through Which the path led. ,ating mechanically, as he gazed about ".'here's one of your l anary birds," nim at the glorious pines around,'and said Eraser in a whisper and directly i hen down at the tropical foliage of i,anana, palm, lime, two rafter there was a rustle among the orange, and bushes, which were thrust aside; and thousand fe6t below, where it glorified the lovely valleys and gorges which Digby stood enthralled by the picture before him, as a beautiful. girl' of about ran from the black volcanic sandy shore right up into the mountains. nineteen bounded down from a rocky ledge hat Then a silence fell upon the scene, above the pai,h, her straw hanging by its string from her creamy which continued till the al iresce re- throat, and her sun -browned face turn - past was at an end, and Tom Digby deliberately lit up and began to smoke. ing crimson at the sight of the strang- ers, "What an suthtlsiastie'young gush- who made way for her to pass, laden with flovvers, which she bad evi- er you are, Horace W cried Digby bant- eringly. "For a man of forty-one, you dently been gathering in the open- ings do rather go it:" 'And among the trees. Horace, old fellow, did you see?" for one of twenty-five, you as- sume the airs of a boy," said Fraser whispered Digby, his eyes sparkling with excitement. grimly. Well I feel likp ome, old chap, out here. �hy, it's "Yes," was the quiet reply. "Why, you old ascetic I" cried Digby. glorious to breathe .his delicious mountain air, to gale up- in the clouds above and below"at that "An angel. Violet eyes—brown hair— a complexion of which Belgravia. might boast. I did think the Spaniards wonderful blue sea; and'at the yellow not had it in them." pines which look like gold. Yes," he added, ova he sprang up and "Yes," said Eraser slowly. "Some of gazed •i►?nWhim, "it is a perfect Eden] the old race possessed that fair hair. Mary's Philip was tair." ,Vhat a jolly shame that it should be- tong to the Spaniards instead of us." darelsay "But did nou notice her mouth?— (maser, don't talk of such a vision of 1 they appreciate it," i "Must have done, or else they wouldn't beauty as if she were a natural -history nave taken it from t.he—the—tbe—what did you call the aboriginies?" specimen!.'• "Nell, don't go on like that about. "Guanches." the first pretty woman you see. Only "What a aha p you are, Horace! You teem to know a bit of everything." Ybeir pai you were grumbling &Lout their plainness, :and sa,ytug that though thet, women here [tad lovely they I only .try to go about with my eyes eyes. bad men's moustaches—they ought to open, and take interest in something better than colouring a meerschaum sbave.—This way—to the right, I think," he added, for the road had sud- ptpe." Severe 1" "Well, denly forked. And— Well, she is beautiful," you do annoy me, Tom, yyou do indeed. A man with such ca soil- cried Digby. "I wonder who she is." '•A ities, and you will not use them. Wby, yyou haven't even tried to learn Span- S anish settler's descendant, whom, in all human pruba'�}Rity, you ish et." will never see agsin," !.aid Fraser What's the goad? You knowplenty for bot.h.. I'm well enough off not to .broken quietly; and they both went on for half an hour in a silence which was by Fraser. other my brains about Spanish." Ah, Tom, Tom 1 if you only had '•Going wrong evidently," he said ; "this pomae aim ).n life." can't be the way round to the "Rather have some of these delici- town;" sus oranges." "Well, I thought we were going up "Eating again 9" hill again." - "No, for drinking. Thirsty land, Hox- :,ace and I never knew what an "Oughs to have taken the soler turn - ing." orange really was before. And why should I .:vrry myself about languages? I've a Thin was sa ev}dent, that they' turn - ed bath, retracing their steps, till, close lively recollection of your namesake at school, and Virgil and Homer and all the upon the spot weary upo had diverged, they came suddenly upon stall, hand - other dead-lasguage buffers.—I say, though, that's fine. ' , acme, well-dressed man, who started Thea' (tad coarse suddenly upon one of anal looked at them curiously. Will the senor direct us to the the g.isbes in the island known to the Spanish as barrancos-a thorough crack town ?" said Fraser in Spanish. or crevice in the rocky soil, with per- pendicular sides clothed with The haughty searching look gave place to a winninjg smile, and the mosses, , ferns, and the various growths which I stranger volubly indicated the right road, and then said laughingly in Eng - found a home in the disintegrating lava of which the place was composed. Here lish: "But do you understand me?" ' Yes, "and the various patches of green were of the most brilliant, tints, and kept ever perfectly," replied Fraser; I wish my S anish were as good as verdant by the moisture trickling do wn from s v bo e. your English.", Then putnctilions words were ex - "Mind what you are doing t" said Fraser, °banged, and tee einfirst passed io Do You behove in impress}ons, after stop in to chi off a P g p fragment. of perfectly black lava from I Horape?' said Digby,, glancing bank, ,. g and then uttea•ing an impatient excla- a bare s ot. P a m tion. "Y es• it w d ovl be au awkward tumble," said Digby, as he leaned for- , ., "Na -.abate she matter? "Tbab fellow was looking aftew us." ward and peered over the ledge. "Five "Well, you were looking after him, htwdred foot. I daresay." More likely a'thousand," said Prag- "The or you would not have seen. -What do you mean by your first impressions?" er. distances are greater than You think." "I don't like the look of that follow." "Insular Alt, well, don't maike much differ- prejudices." "Don't, care what it is ; I don't like once to a man who falls whether. he him, and I'm sure I ne ver shoitild.- tumbles five hundred or a thousand Why, Horace, look there l" feet. -Going along here? Not twenty yards in front was the "Yes; the traok • leada to a steep de- girl scent. Then we can get up the other they had so lately met ; and as Digby drew attention to her presence, side, and round over the mountain, and he stopped anti hastily picked up a twig Ao back to the part whore, after din- of flowers such as he had seen her ner, we can go and call on Mr., Red- carr I did ing, and which her despondent tit - grave. send on the letter straight titw from London." o suggested that she had drop - ped. All right, old chap. I'm ready.-- For she was walking slowlyy on with her facd buried in her hanLr- HAw malty Hailes roundf' chief, c evidently sobbing bitterly; and N T T. ae theq followed, ehe let others of the, flowers Lad fall. - -_-... - .,.-.a-..�,. cried, in a good-humoured an ry tans "how she gathered car} a man be (happy with a loan Stop l" whispered k'raser hastily, as of debt?' he caught his cumpanion by the arm. "Going to if 1 can—"' D} by listened, but his ayes were dir- see Digby did not finish his sentence, for acted to the ggarden. "Yes " continuQd Redgrave; I've been the girl had evidently heard the harsh so eoniaourrdedly unlucky. 'loo speouls- whisper. She turned, gazing back at t}ve,perhaps;but i came out here twenty him. in an affrighted way ; and as they years ago as a speculatiuu, and 1 am caught sight of the teArful convulsed i face, darted down ide-track, a stubborn Sussex man, air; I will not she a a and be beaten, But I've got hold of the , was one. , "\1 ,t, do you think of that?" cried Di by right thing at last." And wl a that?" i excitedly. .� A, Spanish woodland romance," said "Sulphur, air. I'm workin up that at tLe, top of the muuntain. You shall b'raser dryly—"What do you think abouu it, Tom?" ,,ea the �ilace, if you'll come—Ah, here's 1'hab I should like to go after that i haughty -looking Spanish cuutamer and Nelly. We never ventured to import a iano, entlemen ; but we have a P B ask him what it all means.—Shall 1?" "No. guttar and I'll be bound to say if we Petition rightly, we shall get a song.' Be sensible foe once.—Ah, you can see the Aown from here. -Come Do you wish me to siftsg father?" , along." said the girl, colouring slightly as she `. met Digby's earnest gaze. "' " Yes, my dear, if you are not too ICii'APTER II. tired." The accommodation at the vents was " Oh, nn." she said hastily ; and she , of the humblest description ; but the crossed the rnom to reach down s gni- tar hanging by its from place- wag cleanly, the hostess was at- ribbon a nail tentive, and she was evidently proud in the wall. . of being honored by those she termed The two Englishmen had been a fort - the illustrious strangers, who had come night in Isola, and, attractive as the • from the main island to her unfre- place had proved with its wondrous quentc3 house. vegetation, gorge, bill, and crater, Red - The homely dinner was discussed, the gave's pretty half -English villa seemed cooking declared t.o be not so very bad. to be the spot which drew them to it the Malvasia an outrage on the name of wine, and the view from again and again. The days would be in magnificent .passed penetrating the most out -of - the open window a banquet in it- the -way parts of the island and adding self. to Fraser's collection ; then they would "Yes," said Fraser ; "I'd have braved return, tired out, to the little venta, a worse voyage to see what 1've seen where their dark -eyed moustached to -day." landlady had prepared a substantial Digby, who was toying with an or- meal after which there would be choco- ange. which he had begun to peel, and late and a cigar, followed by: "I say, then left untasted, looked up shnrply, aunt his face flushed a little as he ex- Horace, what do ou say to a walk up to Redgrave's? He will not see much claimed; "Yes'; wasn't ehe lovely?" "I talk! lie ' English society when we are gone." wa r s n about t scene y• t3 said i reser coldly. N'r i - seer 1 a hey a w s l oked casae 0 Y y. h sial and seemed on the point of refus- Digby tut ned imcatiently away, and ing • but he invariably ended by rising began to fill his pipe as he gazed out `o go, till it became almost a matter over the flat roofs of the houses autong of course to find father and daugh- which the leafy crowns of stately palms arose. ter standing by the rough gate be - tween ' Isn't turn like that, Tom," suit! the prickly -pears, Redgrave smoking one of his home-made cigars, Fraser, after a few moments' silence; and Ifelen watching with a sadness of and he rose to lay his hand upon his expression in her eyes which seemed young companion's shoulder. "'Turn to grow night by night. like what?" Then there would be more chocolate "Huffy. my dear tboy. I wouldn't, out there, in the delicious evening, with Tom; let's be sensible. You must nOt the scent of orange blossom floating be so inflammable. We have cc.,mr around, and the boom of the groat At - to admire the beauties of Nature ants lantic billows, softened by the distance, to collect in this. one of the least visit- costing up like a bass murmur from ed of the Canaries. You must not try far below. to work up a romance by taking a fancy to i.he first pretty Spanish maid- Delicious dream yevemings, with sea, en you sea." sky, and shadows of the coming night, Digby flushed more •leeply, and as he gazed up in his cumpanion's face, sober and the slowly developing .stars, all tending to give an indefinable some - quite Horace Fraser could not help thing to the place, which seemed to marking what a frank handsome young Englishman the hold the visitors as in a thrall. It had been: so night after naagght, he looked there, with golden rays of the westering sun bath- with the only drawback to the plea- ing, his countenance in its glow. sure in the presence of Senor Ramon, Digby's eyes for the moment looked who seemed to be quite at home at resentlul • but a smile came upon his ' he villa, and polite and friendly, to a lips directly. "All right, Horace," he degree ; beat whiose vvaarmt,h never said. "I am an awful donkey, I know; seemed ito thaw the two Englishmen. but that girl's sweet face impressed This night Ramon was. absent at his me ; and then seeing her evidently in home, a quarter of a league on the 'rouble directly after that Spanish chap other aide of the little port and av had left her, seemed to raise my bile." anon as the guitar strings had been "How do you know' that gentleman tuned, Helen sang first one and then had just left her ?" another of the old ballads of home, "Eh ? Ob, of course 1 I bouldn't flys room growing darker, and the faces know, could I t—There ; it's all over, of those present more distinct, till sud- and I'll return to my duty like a man. di-aly Redgrave started top as 'his —Let's have a funk at to -day's collect- child's sweet sympathetic voice ceased, ing; and to -morrow I'll swallow my the last note of the guitar, vi�brati,ng repugnance, and we'll do some of your in the fragrant air. ghoulish ethnology in the mummy "Room's too 'hot.,"•. said Redgrav6 Caves, eh?" huskly.—"Come aad have a walk round "And tu-nig lit, let's go up in the cool b raser." and call on Nlr. Redgrave. i want him "Poor papa I" said Helen, ra}sing as to give us a few hints about what we he left the room followed by Fraser ought' to see and how to gat a guide." with unwilling step. ' Right, Let's go at once, before "Is anything wrong?" said Digby, sunsetl." (eying his' hand upon the guitar, as if The walk was delightful, the western side of the island being glorious in ]n prtvtest. "It was my mothler'9 favorite song," the glow of radiance in which it was said Helen sadly. "tih:e used to sing bathed, while the sea and the islands it. I remember tike air, and found the around seemed glorified by colors that words one day' in her desk. I sang it were almost beyond belief. to him once evening as a surprise, and "Better than sitting in that stuffy his emotioa� frightened me ; but ever little room, Tom." sine he makes me sing it whenever "Bless, you, my son, for bringing me I take clow: tike guitar. He say,, it here," cried Digby merrily.—"l.heerful brings liim back the past; but it al - kind of growth to tumble among," hey ways makes him sad." added, pointing to the prickly -pears There was a few moments' silence, which abounded on one side of the nar- •mliarras„inti' to both. Digby had row rocky path they were ascending vvords rising to his lips which he, lon.g- the other side being furnished with an ed to speak ; but. he checked them, a9 be abundance of ragged-leaysed bananas. felt that he bad nun right. A'dhere`s a house in that nook yonder,” r ser ; "that must be it. ' "Let us join them now," said Helen, "AIId t 1 All h s c a cu i i cur m for a shilling,h ]said Digby, as a la.11. tr. n liar. to dra a�• u 3 waw the B B "No, no; not yet," cried Digby• "One sturdy, in:ddie-aged persunage came to- "An more song—will you?—may I ask y the little Spanish song I heard You ward them smoking a huge cigar. Englishman, by the way he keeps his pinging that day you were gathering bands in his pockets." "Hush I" whis ered Fraser, as .the flowers." , Helen drew her breath so' sharply man approached!; and then, addressing ' hat• there was a, sound in the darken - Then him in Spanish, he asked to be directed to Senor Redgrave's bones. "Suppose ing room as of a painful sob. I here was silence as Digby sank back in you ask ire in English, air," said t,he' other bluffly. "You are Mr. his chair With a feeling of misery crushing down upon him such es he had Fraser, I presume; and this is Mr. Dig- never felt before. by? -Glad to see you, gentlemen. I "I'm an• idiot I" he said to himself. had your getter, and was coming down "What business had I ever to harbor to the venter to hunt you up. Don't such thoughts? But if it. had been an - often see a countryman here; so, be- other, I should not havei cared." fore we say any more," he added, after He knew he was thinking a lie as he warmly shaking hands, "I'll give orders Seemed to start back into oouscious- for your traps to be fetched up here, ness, for the chords of the griiitar rang and you can make this your home while out in a wild, balf-minor refrain, and you stay." before him he could dimly see Helen But Fraser would not bear of it, "We on the other side of the room, seated are iry capital quarters," he said, "and opposite the window while the sweet will not impose on you.—Blut if sou pure notes thrilled him through and. will have us, we'll come up pretty ire- through. quently for a chat." But the song seemed different now. "You shall do as ybu like, gentle- in place of the vivid greenery of the men.—In here, please." wood, and the face of the singer look - "By George W cried Digby involun- ing bright, happy, and surprised in the tarily, as they passed through a gate encounter, everything was dark a.nd into a lovely villa -garden, "wbat a oppressive; even the song seemed sad, paradise l" , "Well, pretty tidy. You see, every- while it was as if a blow hart been struck as the last note rant; out and thing rushes into growth bare with lit- tle trouble. I am a, bit proud of my' a •voice from the window cried "Brava 1 brava l" with the addition of hearty bc.me, and make it as English as I can. 'It P laudits. ' was my poor dead wife's favorite place, the garden•." He raised his hat Digby sprang to hie feet with the hot slightly as lie uttered the last words, blood in his cheeks. •'Ah, my dear Senor Digtiy, I did not and a ailehce fell upon the group. "Forgive me," ea id the hast the next know You were there.—is nob Helen's moment, as he looked in the eyes of hie two visitors. "You are English- voice delicious?" Digby tried to speak, but he bit his men, and can sympathise with one who IiP with rage, for the words would not O ine; and Ramon continued : 'Come, has lost a dear companion out here in a strange land. But there, 'that's senor, cunfess she sings our Spanish fourteen years ago, gentlemen," he songs in a w•ay which throws yours in the alit said cheerly ; "and I'm not quite alone. -Here, Nelly 1" he cried; "where are Miss Redgrave's singing is a plea - you? Visitors from home, my dent•." yah to hear," said Digby coldly.-' "Shall wo join your tether w the gar - The sun was low now, and it torn- den V ed the porch, covered with Bougainvil- leas "Thanik you., Mr. Digby ; nob this and a lovely scarlet eraniumi, in- to a frame into evening," said Helen, her voice sound - inflection of gold, which suddenly ing ea if it bad caught the stepped, as it were out of the inner of lits, darkness, the picture wanting to eom- plete the scene. ' • But you will come, my dear senor," "I said Ramon. have brought you a "My daughtetr Helen, gentlemen," few of my latest made cigars."' said their host; and both the visitors In the meantime, R.edgravo had led stood speechless, Digby even spellbound. the way up a hath through his grounds, Far there before him, winning in her followed unwillingly by Fraser, to a beauty, stood the lady of the semi•-tl•op}o seat cut in the steep stone, from which wood, whose sweet notes he had heard they could gaze right away to sea and and whoma blo had seen in smiles and over the sleeping town. bears ; whidie, as he gazed at her, the "Peak looks well to -night," said Red - bright took of wrelcome fin her eyes changed to one of pain and it was as if grave, podnting to what seemed like a faint cloud where the last rays of the a dark shadow had been oast across departed day still lingered. "it's a her. beautiful world this—a bad world," It was no seeming. The edge of the ettl�ti was kissing the western wave, "Paradoxical " said Fraser dryly. "Yes, air. We spoil it, and make it and the tall dark shadonw of a man was cast across her as a click of the bad." There was a long silence, during gvabs was heard, while Mr. Redgrave which they sat and emdked; and from t tur i t a sed sear avJ said n ra her pp y "Ah t i fa' tl hard came ho time to t m in e y e, 's constra d to of voic : nor ne no a Se Ramon, you here ?" t' 1 aE oiler. ink a Helen "You have been so friendly tlo us. Di b, s u bar 1 as and Fr ser t rued a g y P y. Mr. Red .rave said Frage r ah last , g , if to seek the cause of Helen Redgrave's "and you seem so isolated—" troubled face. The Spanish gentleman "Xes; thio is Isola," said the other they had encounters in the woodland with a half laugh. wus coming tow,trd hem bat in hand, "A stranger among strangers, taiiat I take the liberty of speaking," continued interrup- CHAPTER III. Fraser without heeding thhe tion, !'You are in trouble?" "Yes, my dear sirs I cannot conceive a more delightful cilmate. Winter is "To the very eyes, air." "Can •I, as a fellow-ooamtryman, help unknown, and you can suit your taste you?" by selecting the beat you prefer. Africa Clown by the sea-shore1• Italy "Noy" said Reditrave shortly. "I beg I meant well." where you stand a few hundred tett higher in the you pardon. "Of Course yon! did, my dear sir, and mountains, France; then England; and, I thank you; but• you can't help me. -I Norway and its snows at the tops of the have two creat troubles-�-debt, and my volcano. A man oug1rt to tie happy daughter.' here." "A curse --and a blessing," said Fraser , "A.nd you are not?" said Fraser dry- dryly. ly.. 'No, and yes. Of course, I'm bopy grave Call it so if you like, Air " cried Red- , almost fiercely; &'but, I owe that in my garden with my child, Taft-- !Sppanish !`here, hang it dear boys 1" dog more than I can ever ppayy He has led in foci all, my be bum. me on my ish 7 1 desire to speculate, tempting we to bor- row of him as if he were my best friend, and I evuld not see it. I have no means of pro, ing it; but I feel morally cer- totit that lie has used his gent in- fluence as the richest man in the island to undermine me in my sales. And now he demands payments in, full, "Well, air; pay him." "I cannot." "You have not the means ?" "Yes, I have; but I cannot pay him." ' May I ask why?" 'Because he will not take money." "What do you mean?" "What did old Shylook insist upon havin V "His pound of fles+h?" "Yes. I might borrow and pay him; but he insists upon my daughter's hand." Hal ejaculated Fraser, as they eat there in the dark. "And she hates him" - There was a pause. As much as you, sir." "Hal" ejaculated Fraser again. "There; come back, and ,loin the young folks, Fraser. I feel better, now some one knows my trouble.-Humphl there he is again," For Ramon's voice was heard speaking loud enough, and directly after the four men, encounter- ed. That night Ramon and Red rave walked part of the way back wit the two visitors; and after they) had part- ed, Ramon stopped short, "Good -night," said Redgrave. "No, senor; it is not good -night," said the Slianiard haughtily. "How long do these English stay here?" "I don't know; they are their own masters." ' Yes Senor Redgrave; and I am yours.-Tbeir presence here displeases me. Let them go." He stro de awn s nd as R d rev Y , e e B al w bed slow 1 back he struck th ra Y e lm F of hie left hand a tremendous blow with his fist and said something Eng- Isih—only one word, but it was very English indeed. CHAPTER( IV. Another fortnight had passed. Ex- cursions had been made along the shore to where the huge billows thundered in. !.Digby had mastered his antipathy so far as to allow himself to be let down by a rope in company with Fraser to inspect the mummy caves, where, in the most inaccessible spots, the ancient inhabitants of the island buried their dead; and here Fraser had descanted upon facial angles, prog;pathic jaws, width of cheekbone& height of fore- head and the like, as he stood before Digby, Hamlet -like, holding an anti- que skull. Botanical specimens had been procured; geological examples col- leetsd, and packed in boxes for transit home; insects had been captured, and duly stuck; and the troglodytes of the island visited in their cavern villages where they dwelt dirtily and securely ,n caves, which were similar to those used in the past by the Guanches as catacombs, being really huge ruptured bubbles formed by volcanic gases in the molten stone,,when the great mountain of the interior poured forth iii erup- tion the rock -formed fluid of the inter- ior of the earth. While ever, night aft: er night as if drawn by a magnet, the two tisitors found their way to Red - grave's house where the master was gravely friendly as be noted how his child's sad countenance lit up as the familiar footsteps were beard upon the silvery pumice -path. Raman raged and stormed. Redgrave forgot his Canary -S anish education, and grew mere English displaying a i bull -dug obstinacy. Then Ramon threatened as be show- ed his white teeth. "Misch;.ef may Come, my dear Redgrave," he whisper- ed. In an instant Redgrave's strong hand gripped him by the shoulder, and his gray eyes flashed fire into the Spani- ard's dark orbs. • "Don't try it," he said fiercely. "Yon! have an English- man and a Scot to deaf with, sir, anti those two together can beat the world let alone Spain. ,stead your history, sir, if you don't believe. You Spani- ards fight with knives; we Englishmen with our fists. Knives break, fats break too, but they break peopie's heads. That's metaphorical, Senor lLainon, but tbore's a good deal of truth in it, all the same. :Don't threat- en, sir. You've got me down, but I i b t be iia me Cn g n arcus iP ted to kick." g You temp "My dear Redgrave, this is absurd," said Ramon. "You uisunderstand me. 1Ve are the best of frierid s. I will say no more. We two cannot afford to quarrel. I gook upon you as my fath- er, yet to be." . !'ram tbat moment Ramon was smiles and good -humour combined. Placid as one of the volcanoes of the island sleep- ing and covered by time with grass a,nd flowers, with nothing to ,tell that they were riot pleasant mounds, till a stick was thrust in deeply, and then aqua]nt" vapour arose, invisible to the eye, but diffusing an odor of sul'pMir that was strangely suggestive of heat far down be low. Redgrave was always friendly to the two men, but he, maale no proposals for trips in the island; he never invited them to come. I'll do nothing," he used to mutter to himself. "My attempts always fail. I'll leave everything to fate." "When are we to, have the long -talk- ed -of -trip to your works?" said Eraser one evening, when he had been watch- ing angrily the locks ,which Digby dir- ected at Helen. "Eh? Ali, when you like," said Red- grave.. To -morrow be it then," said Fraser. "A trip—a walk? said Ramon, turn- ing sharply. Yes; only to the works." "Ab, yes! very interesting. --You will take them to -morrow, Redgrave ?" The lat ter nodded. "I wish you a pleasant- day.—You will start early, as it is far?" "Yes. Soon after sunrise.—I shall have everything ready, gentlemen, so be here in good time." Ramon smiled to himself ast he went away in the best of humor that night, but he smiled too soon. Redgrave saw it, and he was very tboughtful as he bade his• ether visit- ors good -night. Ne,ly, my darling," he said as they re-entered the house, "it is very cold up the mountain, and the way there Is scorching and dusty; but if I bad the sidesaddles clapped on one of the mules, you could go with us." The sad aspect fled from Helen's face on the instant. "Ali yes," she cried. "That's right," said her father. "Then be ready. Thick boots and cloak ready for the cold." . Helen flung her arms about his nAck, and hid hor face for a moment in his breast before kissing him and saying, "Good -night." I've seen him smile before," said Redgrave to himself; "and It means mischief. As soon as we were out of the way, he would be here pestering m� ppoor g rl. Checkmate there." Treaohe ous enemy at least," said Ramon, as lie returned home. "Tom," said Frasier suddenly, as they two walked together down the steep I slope. ' Eh9 Yes?" said Digby with a start. i "What do you say to getting back to Santa Cruz and trying to catch•one of the C setts to home 9" "leo." • "Eh ?" ., I sa: d c i No. I'm syr ba d out o y R sorts, Horace; and this place is doing i me worlds of good. Rmpphatically, No. t Besides, you have noxi balf-done the isl- c and yet. You said so the other day," I "True; I did." 1 "Then do it properly while you are I here; and don't bother. Why, you are I always wanting to go home. ' 1 Fraser's countenance grew mors sad as he gazed sideways at his companion a t blippy face, and he sighed gontlyy I "Yours —•bands me --volatile, he said to himself; "and he loves her dearly; while c the"— He seemed to have come upon c a confused mental tanglemegt, and it leas some minutes after blindly blund- t lying on through a maze of thought, ;hat he said sost)y: "Matters are get- I ;ing in a knot." i t1HAPTER V. f "Gaing with us- -yowl" oried Digby as * . 1,. he catered the pretty room at tiled, grave's the next iztorning; to find a de• liic}otw breakfast spread and Helen standing ready to receivve h:im in a riding -habit especially adapted to the place. You will not think me in the way?" she said playfully. Fraser's countenance looked more sombre as he took the hand extended to h'm, and smiled sadly as he followed D: lay's example and expressed his de- li" o bath men that day was a dream o1 a wondrous ourney upward along a flower-strown rack towards a dense cloud, which soon atter enveloped them, and through which they laboriously climbed to find themselves in a new region, where the air was cooler, and fragrant with the odour of the resinous pines through which they passed; and as Digby led Helen's mule, they talk- ed little, but listened to the music of the birds and gurgle of water, and caught from time to time among the tree -tops glimpses of the dazzling blue sky• They spoke but seldom but went on with their eyes fixed upon Fraser and Redgrave, who led the the way some fifty yards ahead, but stopped from time to time, for the lag- gards to overtake them, and admire some fresh view . And all through that temperate sum, - mer zone the birds sung around them ; and to Digby they sang• only of love. and to Helen of w hat might be. ,But the sadness in her heart suf- fused her eyes with tears. There was a black shadow always before tier ; and when, after riding her multi through some rougher part, Digby turned to seek her gaze, she averted it with a sigirh, blit to own to herself that all this was very sweet, and she knew that she had never before enjoyed a day like this, The fir -tree zone came to an end ; the cool darkness and suft silence of the shady glade gave place to a rug- ged pumice-strown desert, where fine dust rose at every step, and the sun poured down with blinding' power. A weary, weary tramp to some ; but to those two who bung behind, a dreamy time of bliss, through :which 'they journeyed tin hour after hour, till a wooden but was reached, where the mule was tethered; and Fraser now, at Redgrave's suggestion, offered his arm to help Helen up a cindery slope to the edge of the mountain crater, the party then descending a hundred feet or so into a hollow, where Fraser forgot everything but the delight he found in gathering specimens of sul- phur Crystals -•pale straw• color, rich yellow, and brilliant scarlet. "Yes, this is my last venture," said Redgrave suddenly. "My men come up here to dig the sulpbur, of which there is no end, store it for me in the cent below. and we ship it off home, But you, had not better stay long ' the sulphur gas comes up strong to -day '; "What would happen if there was to be an eruption now, alit•. Redgrave?" said Digby. This party would never know," was the serious reply. Then I wish to goodness Senor Ra- mon were here, and tbib pasty safe at home, if it did blow up," said Digby in a balf-whis er as he glanced at Helen who shook hei head at him sadly ; and he sawl her eyes fill with tears. Fraser was a dozen yards away, ,t.eoping to pick up yet another crystal, while Redgiave was walking towards him. 13lorgive me," whispered ;Digby. "!'hey were the words of a thoughtle,,,s boy," Her look said so much that he caught. her hand and raised it to his lips, but only got it to be drawn timidly drawn awn ell, Fraser, when you're ready," said Redgrave. "It's a long way back; the wind's high; the gases bad, and th,e dust blows. It's very cold too.— Shall we go back d" Fraser assented; and Digby gave way to him as he came forward to help Iielen climb up the side of the crater to the edge. whence, after a brief gaze round at the glorious view, they all descended to the but, and .partook of the luncheon they had brought. Helen remounted the mule, and Digby took the bridle once more as her father and Fraser went on. 'The first part of the descent took place in silence, both Digby and Helen wondering how it was that they bad not noticed that it was bitterly cold, the wind boisterous, and the dust that rose painful and wearying to a degree. 't1hey were conscious ci nothing save that they were together in an. idyllic dream with a world of beauty spread out below. !sight thousand feet, they had been told, was the height of the •quiescent volcano; but the words had fallen upon, deaf ears, for there was a question ask- ing itself at the portals of their heafts: "How is this to end ?" `l`he sun was getting low in the west aii the pine zohe upon the .mountain was reached; and once more in the ob- scurity (they penetrated, everything seemed more dreamy and sweet than ever. Fraser and Redgrrave were well on ahead ; the !track wound here and there; but dim as the woodland be- came, the mule was familiar with the way, and iiaued slovly on with its bridle upon its neck, and Dig- by walking now with his hand upon the saddle -bow. Darker and• darker it grew, save where the ruddy light of the westering sun pierced the garden pine -boughs, and cast strangly lurid rays through the dense forest. And still darker and darker, till a gurgling stream was, reached; the mule stopped of its own accord to bond down and drink, and Digby's hand took that which was near bis on the pommel. of the saddle. "Helen I" he said, and his voice was a whisper among the pines. She did not speak; but her hand was timidly resigned to bis grasp,' and the next moment bir•arms were,about her. "My darling I" were his words; "I love you with all a man's first true love 1" There was no reply, a timid shrink- ing, and with a sob Helen let her head rest upon bis shoulder, as if that were the place where she might find safety. from the fate that seemed to her worse than death. There was a strange grating noise. such as might have been made Ly a frightened bird, but it was caused by ivory gritting and grinding upon ivory. Digby started round to see dimly, half -a -dozen yards away, Ramon stand- ing by the bole of one of the thiekesti pines, while a cheery voice ahead shouted back ; "Come, you people ; don't lose your way." --� CHAPTER VI. Tom Dighy's right hand clenched, and is Helen clung to his left, she felt leis nerves and muscles quiver with rage. A curious sensation of faintness 'ame over her, and she struggled to be firm, as she told herself that she night prevent some terrible encounter. But there was nothing of the kind, .'or Ramon carne forward eagerly. "Ali, ;bore you are 1" he exclaimed. " Had a Pleasant day? Why, where are the Ptbers?"' Did you not hear them?" said Dig- iy roughly. ' I? No. Oh yea; I heard Senor Red - rave call. I miss d th as I came r e tam Ihrou h t t - ( i tful g he roes. W hat a lel ge ven]ngg I I passed three years in Lon - Ion Mr, . i b t i n y saw such D bu a er g Y, to evening as this." He chattered !way, as he stepped to the other side if the mule, keeping on without wait - ng for the other's reply. " You have tad a splendid day, but very hot down iy the town• You have felt it cold up tie mountain, M.r. Digby?" Yes, very," said Digby shortly; and ie felt Ilolcn press his hand gently, a if she were imploring hits not to to angry. But yotl could not have hail a Clear - r day for the view. Did you feel the old much, Miss Helen ? " No -no," she said quietly. "I don't hink it wn.s very cold." "Genera.11y is, ibex pardon, Mr. Dig - ,y i Have a cigar ?' If I refuse it, he'll t.akA it for a aclaration of war, and i don't want to ight.. Why should i? poor wreiteh I' There you are," said Ramon, coming t, . 4 O, round by the back of the muab with him case open. The smaller are the best." " Thanks," said Digby, taking cast. "Le me give you a light." A match was struck, and by its light Digby caught a glimpse of the Span- iard's face, which was as calm and un- ruffled as couldd be. Then they went on, and retook their places on either side of the mule. "I've been very busy, too," continu- ed RaWon. " Tired ; but was curious to bear bow you had got on ; and yet half afraid that the crater had given way and swallowed you all un." Digby felt tongue-tied , bat Ramon chattered away. " I wonder whether Senor Redgrave will let me throw myself upon his hos- pitality this evening? I called on my way up, and found that you had not returned. I left ssome fruit ; and there was a fragrance from the Wtchen win- dow that was maddening to a hungry cam, Ab I here we are." For they had •ome up to Redgrave and Fraser, who were standing beside the track. " You, Ramon ?" said Redgrave, rath- er sternly. Yes, my dear sir, I thought I would go and meet them ; but I missed you. My dear Redgrave, I want you to give me a bit of dinner to-n}ght." " Certainly," replied Radgra�e-and he told a polite lie : " I shall be very: happy.., For the rest of the way Ramon did nearly all the talking ; and during the evening bis conversation was fluent and highly interesting as he engaged Fraser in conversation about the antiquities of the place ; smoking cigars and sip- ping bis chocolate in the most unruf- fled way. You are making quite a collection of our minerals, I hear," be said }pi the course of t i he oonversat on. " Yee ; I have a good many." " Of course you examined the head of the barranco on the west. side of the mountain ?" ? No ; we have not been there yet," ? " Not }leen I Why, my dear air, that is the most Interesting p'_aoe of the whole. You should go there.—By the way, Redgrave, I suppose the nearest way would be right across my planta- ;IOn ?" ' Decidedly," said Redgrave, who teemed puzzled by his visitor's urban- ity Yes,"' said Ramon thoughtfully; " that is certainly the best way. There is an interesting mummy cave there, too, about half -way along; but you will certainly be delighted with the head of the barranco. There ; I must say good -night. Going now, gentlemen?" " Yes," said Fraser, rising. " It is time we were back." Digby rose reluctantly ; but It was time they left; so the customary ad- dois were said, Ramon making a point of going first, so that Digby had an oPartunuty to raise Helen's trembling hand to his lips. " Good-night—my darling," he whispered. " I shall tell Mr- Redgrave all." Heaven protect him l" muttered the girl devoutly; and she stood there at the door listening till her father return- ed ; and then they lingered, each sliglit- ly uneasy, but ashamed to give their. fears words, and being content to lis- ten to the voices of the guests, as they -came clearly up through the still night - air. Redgrave felt disposed to speak to big child before retiring for the night,. bu the remained silent. , " Marriages are made in heaven," he said to himself. " I feel help- less ; and perhaps Nally herself may find the way out of the difficulty, i.nd, somehow, 1 begin to like young Digby." The three guests of the villa went slowly down the track toward the lit- tle town, with Ramon chatting pleas- antly about the island. "I daresay you Englishmen are dis- appointed at the absence of sport," he said. "Very differept from Norfolk, where I went on a visit when I was ]n England. Here we have partridges and rabbits—that is all." "We find plenty to amuse us," said Fraser quietly. "Oh, yes; I have seen that. Why, you will have a boat -load of specimens.— But don't forget the heed of the bar- nanco beyond my place. It will re - ('To be Continued.) TO THE KLONDIKE BY BALLOON. it Party of Frenchmen Will Make the 7•rip from ,lnnestu to the Mondike. To the Klondike'in a balloon! Pre- pgsterous as the idea seems,- it is ))a- ing seriously entertained by several. Frenchmen. According to a leading Parisian journal, the idea first sug- gested itself to M. Varicle, a well- known balloonist. He expresses no doubt as to his ai)Eity to make the trip,i� and he says that ha will surely start for the Klondike before the middle of this month. M. Varicle first began to think seri- ously of going to the Klondike when he read in certain French g-apers of the hardships which th- gold seekers were suffering there through the extreme cold and want of food. In the words of a .French journalist, ai soon as'he heard that "thous=ands of reckless adventur- ers, ignorant of the perils and of the rigorous climate of the Klondike, were imprisoned In these icy so;itudes with- out the pos•;ibEity .of returning home before sum•nor," and that these fami,h- ed millionaires, though surrounded by gold on all sides, would almost surely come to a horrible end, they thought at once occurrodl to him that, there. was no reason why he should not go to their• assistance with a fleet of balloons. He interested his friends in the pro- ject. and in due time a plan was formu- lated. A new la'loon, entitled "The From," was built by RI. },acliquibre for the purpose and vv a's tested a few dn.•ys ago, According to the Figaro this aerostat, which hat a capacity of 1,`200 metres, ascended at La V}l;ette and came down some hours afterward at Heriey, on t:he banks of the Seine, Next day the aeronauts set off. again,'steer'- Ing the balloon as they chose," and at noon they passed over Fontaint•bleaii toward the southwe,,t. 'Phe. party in- cluded MM, Varicle, Mallet,,. Magnier and Bureau, and their main object was to make final experiments in steer- ing the balloon and to test a contrive( ante designed to enable its passengers to stop at will. Twelve fellow explorers will accom( paiiy M, Varicle on big trip to the Klondike. The pitity will go first to Liverpool and thence to New York. From that point they: will go yto Van- couver by the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, and a day later they will arrive at Victoria, There they will remain about a week for the purpose of ohtain- ing; provisions :slid other necessaries, Then e iso h , cvi 1 I n , t nn to ,Junoau and Y g at tis io' h g int the balloon ascenk will take Place. The ho th a e na c ra F y , P Ye 3 co fit n tont, that from this (Point i;he� will be able to mace, the trip to th- Klondfke within twenty hours. :m 4 A i I DISTINGUISHED. '' Mamma-That.'s a nice little boy yon play marbles with, Bobby, }tubby -You heelter I a,n' he's had fx measles four times. A FRATIIBIRED COURTSHIP. The Parcant Ow•1-Minerva., has that young Owl gone Yet? Knerva--No, l'al a. The Parent Owl --He'd setter get a move ori, Minerva. It's two hours af- ter sunrise and he ought to go home and turn in. ,j°, -i i r 1111 "vCC]] , , �,I .- - 1111.,. - , �:: -_�, 1111. _ -`. _ .. �.. s;�. --�. _,n. re. ... .� _ ,w �i...i..W,i