An I.D.B. in South Africa Part 16

Unable to control the hara.s.sing conditions of her life, she was like a sick, suffering creature denied the quiet and rest needed for recovery.

In her full strength, and with her former capacity for enjoyment, she would have taken a child's delight in change.

But now, removed from her accustomed places, kept by circ.u.mstances from putting her trust for the future where her heart prompted, and unable to feel toward Donald the reliance of love, she was never at rest.

Often she would sit long by the side of the doctor, not saying a word.

He was the one man she knew well whose presence satisfied her. The doctor never questioned her, for the agony of her spirit was written on her face, which grew sadder day by day. She knew not how to wear a mask.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

THE END OF THE VOYAGE.

But Dainty was not the only uneasy pa.s.senger among our acquaintances; Donald was no less discomfited. The knowledge of his past embittered even his love for Dainty--a love to which he was true. And yet, when in any way we wrong the loved, are we true? No--rather false. For real love will deny itself for the sake of the beloved.

He had no suspicion of the tender feelings that existed between his friend and the woman he called wife. The hidden entanglements of his own life blinded him to all other convictions. What solitary lives were these two living! Watched and hara.s.sed, they were not as happy as the hard-worked, gasping stoker, who came up from below, like a Vulcan from his fiery forge, to get a breath of the stifling equatorial air.

One hot, lazy afternoon, just after tiffin, Donald and Herr Schwatka were walking on deck, when the latter asked:

"What has become of Kildare?"

"Oh, he has set his scheme afloat, and is sailing along. The great gold mining company is now in popular favour. By the by, he compliments the doctor on being the best Poker player, but one, on the Fields."

"And what may be the name of his superior?"

"Why, Major Kildare, of course. He thinks Doctor Fox the best fellow in the country. I suppose you know that the Major accepted his invitation to call and take his revenge, and won back all his money, and immediately went out on the market and bought the finest tiger skin he could find, and hung it in his office. So that is why there is one man in Africa better than the doctor in playing the little game of Poker."

"That is a matter of opinion," said Schwatka, sarcastically; as he strolled away, Donald joined the doctor, who was sitting on deck by Dainty's side, and offered him a cigar. The day was lovely. Not a ripple disturbed the surface of the ocean.

"Laure," said the doctor, "do you know what became of that diamond which the detectives couldn't find, and which was hidden in the Bushman's eye?"

Donald's cigar fell from his mouth, and he seemed to shrivel up in his chair. "If you don't," continued the doctor, as coolly as if he had asked the time of day, "I do."

"You!" gasped Donald.

"Yes. I believe it is in a mail bag on board this very steamer."

"Impossible!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Donald.

"Not at all. In fact, quite probable," said the doctor, showing him the postal order, and then related his interview with Bela.

Donald was stunned, and when the doctor handed him the order for recovery of the package on his arrival in London, the circ.u.mstance did not tend to restore calm.

Donald hesitated at first, but his fingers finally closed over the bit of paper that made him again owner of the diamond. After looking it over, he turned to Dainty and said:

"I think the diamond belongs to you. If it were not now on its way to England through your influence, I would not be sitting here. I will endorse this order, so that you will own the diamond."

He did so, and eventually the gem came into the possession of Dainty.

Late in the afternoon of the nineteenth day out, the steamer anch.o.r.ed in the bay of Plymouth. A tender, with relatives and friends of the pa.s.sengers aboard, came out to meet and take them ash.o.r.e.

In the gathering gloom the faces of those on board the "Arab" were not discernible, but the outline of the forms of three people could be seen, standing silently apart from the crowd at the gangway. Names were called out, and greeted with hearty, joyous words of recognition. Many stood waiting to disembark as soon as the signal was given. Suddenly a voice called out:

"If Mr Donald Laure is on board, he will please land here, as his wife, from Scotland, is waiting to receive him!"

Not a sound was heard from those on deck. All stood as silent as ghosts in the gathering mist.

On hearing those words, Herr Schwatka looked at Dainty, who stood rooted to the spot, and putting his arm around her supported her firmly and tenderly, as he uttered three words:

"Mine at last!"

Donald turned to Dainty with a face like death, but only to see her led away from him upheld by the arm of Herr Schwatka. With a slow step, like that of a man walking to his doom, he disappeared down the gangplank to meet the "wife from Scotland!"

We know not for what race we are preparing. Fate holds the leading horses in her hands. But sooner or later we must drive.

In a certain copy of the "Bloemfontein Gazette" is the following notice.

MARRIED.

Fox-Darcy.--At the residence of the bride's brother, Kimberley, South Africa, May 22, 18--Miss Kate Darcy and C.A. Fox, M.D. New York City papers please copy.