Part 1 (1/2)

The Blind Lion of the Congo

by Elliott Whitney

CHAPTER I

AN AMAZING PROPOSAL

”What's on for to-night, Burt?”

Mr St John, a large automobile manufacturer of New Britain, Connecticut, looked across the dinner table at his son Burton The latter was a boy of seventeen Although he was sturdy for his age, his features were pale and denoted hard study As his father and mother watched him there was just a hint of anxiety in their faces

”Lots,” replied the boy ”Got a frat ot to finish my last paper for the history prof”

”Can't you let the paper go?” asked hispretty hard, Burt!”

”Yes,” added Mr St John heartily ”Forget the work, son You've done enough papers lately for a dozen boys”

”Not rab that Yale scholarshi+p There's only a week till school's out now”

At thatroom door

”Mr St John, there's a ive me any name and--”

She was interrupted by a tall, fur-overcoated form that brushed her aside The visitor's hawk-like face broke instantly into an eager sood people!” cried the otten e!”

The three members of the family broke into three simultaneous cries of surprise The next instant Mrs St John was in the arms of the tall reeted her

”hello, Burt! How's your grip?” he cried as he released the couple and seized the hand of their son

”Ouch!” yelled the boy, his grin changing to an expression of pain ”I ain't no wooden man!”

”Where on earth did you co his brother-in-law's big coat and handing it to the astonished maid ”We haven't heard fro to eat, Tom, and I'll talk later” As the hawk-faced e Williareatest hero Fae William” for his books on little-traveled countries, he was knoidely at every end of the world He had crossed the Turkestan deserts, helped to survey the Cape to Cairo railway, led armies in China and South America, and explored the recesses of the Sahara In his brief intervals of relaxation he lived with the St Johns, having no hoazed, Burt half wished that his own face was not so square and angular and more like that of his uncle Mr Wallace was thin but of very large frah forehead, beneath which shone two intensely black eyes A long, curving nose gave his face its hawk-like effect, and thin lips and strong chin coreat bird of prey

”What are you doing with that fur overcoat in June, George?” asked Mrs

St John with s warm!” shot back the explorer as he pushed away his plate

”This beastly rain goes to the bone, Etta I landed only yesterday and got the first train up here after leaving my cases at the Explorers'

Club”