| 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 |
| 1 | 41 | 81 | 122 | 162 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
one of those almost forgotten smiles of radiance that had helped to make her
beauty famous both in Baltimore and London.
She took the gourd in one hand, and rather than cause the giver pain raised it to
her lips, though for the life of her she could scarce restrain the qualm of nausea
that surged through her as the malodorous thing approached her nostrils.
It was Anderssen who came to her rescue, and taking the gourd from her, drank
a portion himself, and then returned it to the native with a gift of blue beads.
The sun was shining brightly now, and though the baby still slept, Jane could
scarce restrain her impatient desire to have at least a brief glance at the beloved
face. The natives had withdrawn at a command from their chief, who now stood
talking with Anderssen, a little apart from her.
As she debated the wisdom of risking disturbing the child's slumber by lifting the
blanket that now protected its face from the sun, she noted that the cook
conversed with the chief in the language of the Negro.
What a remarkable man the fellow was, indeed! She had thought him ignorant
and stupid but a short day before, and now, within the past twenty-four hours,
she had learned that he spoke not only English but French as well, and the
primitive dialect of the West Coast.
She had thought him shifty, cruel, and untrustworthy, yet in so far as she had
reason to believe he had proved himself in every way the contrary since the day
before. It scarce seemed credible that he could be serving her from motives
purely chivalrous. There must be something deeper in his intentions and plans
than he had yet disclosed.
She wondered, and when she looked at him--at his close-set, shifty eyes and
repulsive features, she shuddered, for she was convinced that no lofty
characteristics could be hid behind so foul an exterior.
As she was thinking of these things the while she debated the wisdom of
uncovering the baby's face, there came a little grunt from the wee bundle in her
lap, and then a gurgling coo that set her heart in raptures.
The baby was awake! Now she might feast her eyes upon him.
Quickly she snatched the blanket from before the infant's face; Anderssen was
looking at her as she did so.
He saw her stagger to her feet, holding the baby at arm's length from her, her
eyes glued in horror upon the little chubby face and twinkling eyes.
7
2
Page
Quick Jump
|