Part 19 (1/2)

”Rotten bad,” growled Mainward, ”especially about Ethel; don't you think it was pretty lon of her to lead me on to believe she fully fond of ,” said the strange, white ravely, ”but put her out of yourabout What do you say to this?”

He held up a ser and thuhed weakly

”Oh, rot!” he chuckled faintly ”You're one of those Forest of Happy Dreams Johnnies; what's that? A love philtre?” He was hysterically amused at the witticism

Sanders nodded

”Love or life, it's all one,” he said, but apparently unaled and obeyed

”And now,” said the stranger-this was six hours later-”the best thing you can do is to let my boys put you on my steamer and take you down river”

Mainward shook his head He had awakened irritable and lamentably weak

”My dear chap, it's awfully kind of you to have come-by the way, I suppose you are a doctor?”

Sanders shook his head

”On the contrary, I am the Commissioner of this district,” he said flippantly-”but you were saying--”

”I want to stay here-it's devilish pretty”

”Devilish is the very adjective I should have used-o; it's the ho in Africa”

He waved his hand to the hidden vistas of fresh green glades, of gorgeous creepers shown in the light of the carass,” he said; ”it's horass-that's the seductive part of it; I nearly camped here myself Come, my friend, let me take you to my camp”

Mainward shook his head obstinately

”I'ed, but I'll stay here for a day or so I want to try the supernatural effects of this pleasant place,” he said with a weary shts that need treathly, ”you know jolly well how this forest got its nanated with fever, and with every disease fro sickness You don't wake from the dreams you dream here Man, I know this country, and you're a newcoet away fro your pardon” Mainward's face flushed; and he spoke a little stiffly

”Oh, I know all about you-didn't I tell you I was the Co rocky with you, and I've read the rest in the papers I get fro to me I'm here to help you start fair If you had wanted to commit suicide, why come to Africa to do it? Be sensible and shi+ft your camp; I'll send my steamer back for your men Will you come?”

”No,” said Mainward sulkily ”I don't want to, I'm not keen; besides, I'ument which Sanders could not answer He was none too sure upon that point hiain

”Very well,” he said at length, ”suppose you stay another day to give you a chance to pull yourself together I'll co to-morroith a tip-top invalid chair for you-is it a bet?”

Mainward held out his shaking hand, and the ghost of a smile puckered the corners of his eyes ”It's a bet,” he said

He watched the Co to one ular, ht Mainward Would he have er with curious eyes, and noted how his own lazy devils of carriers juht,” said Sanders' voice; and Mainward looked up ”You must take another of these pellets, and to-et back to ht, or I shall find half ; but if you'd rather I stopped--”

”No, no,” replied the other hastily He wanted to be alone He had lots of matters to settle with himself There was the question of Ethel, for instance