www.freeclassicebooks.com

The girl had given up hope that Bulan ever could recover, so weak and emaciated

had he become, and when the fever finally left him quite suddenly she was

positive that it was the beginning of the end. It was on the morning of the

seventh day since they had commenced their wandering in search of the long-

house that, as she sat watching him, she saw his eyes resting upon her face with

a look of recognition.

Gently she took his hand, and at the act he smiled at her very weakly.

"You are better, Bulan," she said. "You have been very sick, but now you shall

soon be well again."

She did not believe her own words, yet the mere saying of them gave her renewed

hope.

"Yes," replied the man. "I shall soon be well again. How long have I been like

this?"

"For two days," she replied.

"And you have watched over me alone in the jungle for two days?" he asked

incredulously.

"Had it been for life," she said in a low voice, "it would scarce have repaid the debt

I owe you."

For a long time he lay looking up into her eyes--longingly, wistfully.

"I wish that it had been for life," he said.

At first she did not quite realize what he meant, but presently the tired and

hopeless expression of his eyes brought to her a sudden knowledge of his

meaning.

Oh, Bulan," she cried, "you must not say that. Why should you wish to die?"

Because I love you, Virginia," he replied. "And because, when you know what I

am, you will hate and loathe me."

On the girl's lips was an avowal of her own love, but as she bent closer to whisper

the words in his ear there came the sound of men crashing through the jungle,

and as she turned to face the peril that she thought approaching, von Horn

sprang into view, while directly behind him came her father and Sing Lee.

128

The Monster Men