Adventure, February 1917 — page 153: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

See _. Finished - I made some remark to the effect that I presumed that the line had in fact ceased to exist at all, as the Basuto territory had practically become British; after which we strolled back to the house. Walking quietly between the tall rose hedges and without speaking, for each of us was preoccupied with his own thoughts, BEE COHYY Wwe came upon a very pretty scene. We had left Anscombe and Heda seated side by side on the stoep. They were still there, but much closer together. In fact his arms were round her, and they were kissing each other in a remarkably whole- - hearted way. About this there could be no mistake, since the rimpi-strung couch on which they sat was immediately under the hanging lamp—a somewhat unfortunate situation for such endearments. But what did they think of hanging lamps or any other lights, save those of their own eyes, they who were content to kiss and murmur words of passion as though they were as much alone as Adam and Eve in Eden? What did they think either of the serpent coiled about the bole of this tree of knowledge whereof they had just plucked the ripe and maddening fruit? By a mutual instinct Marnham and I withdrew ourselves, very gently indeed purposing to skirt round the house and enter it from behind, or to be seized with a fit of coughing at the gate, or to do some- thing to announce our presence at a con- venient distance. When we had gone a little way we heard a crash in the bushes. ‘“‘Another of those cursed baboons robbing the garden,” remarked Marnham reflect- ively. “T think he is going .to rob the house — also,”’ I replied, turning to point to some- thing dark that seemed to be leaping up on to the veranda. Next moment we heard Heda utter a little cry of alarm, and a man say in a low fierce voice— - “So I have caught you at last, have I!” “The doctor has retutned from his business rounds sooner than was expected, and I think that we Had better join the party,” I remarked, and made a bee-line for the stoep, Marnham following me. I think that I arrived just in time to prevent mischief. There, with a revolver in his hand, stood Todd, tall and formid- able, his dark face looking like that of Satan himself, a very monument of rage 151 and jealousy. There in front of him on the couch sat Heda, grasping its edge with her fingers, her cheeks as pale as a sheet and her eyes shining. By her side was Anscombe, cool and eollected as usual, I noticed, but evidently perplexed. “Tf there is any shooting to be done,’ he was saying, “T think you had better begin | with me.’ His calmness seemed to exasperate Todd, who lifted the revolver. But I too was prepared, for in that house I always went armed. was perhaps fifteen feet away, and I did not want tohurt him. SolIdid the best I could; that is, I fired at the pistol in his hand, and the light being good, struck it near the hilt and knocked it off the barrel before he could press the trigger, if he really meant to. shoot. “That’s a good shot,” remarked Ans- combe who had seén me, while Todd stared at the hilt which he still held. “A lucky one,” I answered, - walking forward. ‘And now, Dr. Todd, will you be so good as to tell me what you mean by flourishing a revolver, presumably loaded, ~ There was no time to get at the man, who - in the faces of a lady and an unarmed man?” - “What the devil”is that to you,” he asked furiously, by firing at me?” “A great deal,’’ I answered, “seeing that a young woman and my friend are con- “and what do you mean cerned. As for firing at you, had I done so — you would not be asking questions now. I fired at the pistol in your hand, but if there is more trouble next time it shall be at the holder,” and I glanced at my revolver. Seeing that I meant business he made no reply, but turned upon Marnham who had followed me. “This i is your work, you old villain,” he said in a low voice that was heavy with hate. ‘You promised your daughter to me. She is engaged to me, and now I find her in this wanderer’s arms.” “What have I to do with it?” said Marn- ham. “Perhaps she has changed her nfind. You had better ask her.” “There is no need to ask me,”’ interrupted Heda, who now seemed to have got her nerve again. “I have changed my mind. I never loved you, Dr. Todd, and-I will — not marry you. Ilove Mr. Anscombe here, and as he has asked me to be his wife I mean to marry him.” JOOK TcOmic ‘co