byOliveSchreinerALittleAfricanStorybyOliveSchreinerDedication。
ToMyBrotherFred，Forwhoselittleschoolmagazinethefirstofthesetinystories——oneofthefirstIevermade——waswrittenoutmanylongyearsago。
O。S。
NewCollege，Eastbourne，Sept。29，1893。
Contents。
I。DreamLifeandRealLife；aLittleAfricanStory。
II。TheWoman’sRose。
III。\"ThePolicyinFavourofProtection——\"。
Kopjes—Inthekaroo，arehillocksofstones，thatriseupsinglyorinclusters，hereandthere；presentingsometimesthefantasticappearanceofoldruinedcastlesorgiantgraves，theworkofhumanhands。
Kraal—Asheepfold。
Krantz—Aprecipice。
Sluit—Adeepfissure，generallydry，inwhichthesuperfluoustorrentsofwaterarecarriedfromthekarooplainsafterthunderstorms。
Stoep—Aporch。
I。DREAMLIFEANDREALLIFE；ALITTLEAFRICANSTORY。
LittleJannitasatalonebesideamilk—bush。Beforeherandbehindherstretchedtheplain，coveredwithredsandandthornykaroobushes；andhereandthereamilk—bush，lookinglikeabundleofpalegreenrodstiedtogether。Notatreewastobeseenanywhere，exceptonthebanksoftheriver，andthatwasfaraway，andthesunbeatonherhead。RoundherfedtheAngoragoatsshewasherding；prettythings，especiallythelittleones，withwhitesilkycurlsthattouchedtheground。ButJannitasatcrying。Ifanangelshouldgatherupinhiscupallthetearsthathavebeenshed，Ithinkthebitterestwouldbethoseofchildren。
Byandbyshewassotired，andthesunwassohot，shelaidherheadagainstthemilk—bush，anddroppedasleep。
Shedreamedabeautifuldream。Shethoughtthatwhenshewentbacktothefarmhouseintheevening，thewallswerecoveredwithvinesandroses，andthekraalswerenotmadeofredstone，butoflilactreesfullofblossom。
AndthefatoldBoersmiledather；andthestickheheldacrossthedoor，forthegoatstojumpover，wasalilyrodwithsevenblossomsattheend。
Whenshewenttothehousehermistressgaveherawholeroaster—cakeforhersupper，andthemistress’sdaughterhadstuckaroseinthecake；andhermistress’sson—in—lawsaid，\"Thankyou！\"whenshepulledoffhisboots，anddidnotkickher。
Itwasabeautifuldream。
Whileshelaythusdreaming，oneofthelittlekidscameandlickedheronhercheek，becauseofthesaltfromherdried—uptears。Andinherdreamshewasnotapoorindenturedchildanymore，livingwithBoers。Itwasherfatherwhokissedher。Hesaidhehadonlybeenasleep——thatdaywhenhelaydownunderthethorn—bush；hehadnotreallydied。Hefeltherhair，andsaiditwasgrownlongandsilky，andhesaidtheywouldgobacktoDenmarknow。Heaskedherwhyherfeetwerebare，andwhatthemarksonherbackwere。Thenheputherheadonhisshoulder，andpickedherup，andcarriedheraway，away！Shelaughed——shecouldfeelherfaceagainsthisbrownbeard。Hisarmsweresostrong。
Asshelaytheredreaming，withtheantsrunningoverhernakedfeet，andwithherbrowncurlslyinginthesand，aHottentotcameuptoher。Hewasdressedinraggedyellowtrousers，andadirtyshirt，andtornjacket。Hehadaredhandkerchiefroundhishead，andafelthatabovethat。Hisnosewasflat，hiseyeslikeslits，andthewoolonhisheadwasgatheredintolittleroundballs。Hecametothemilk—bush，andlookedatthelittlegirllyinginthehotsun。Thenhewalkedoff，andcaughtoneofthefattestlittleAngoragoats，andhelditsmouthfast，ashestuckitunderhisarm。Helookedbacktoseethatshewasstillsleeping，andjumpeddownintooneofthesluits。Hewalkeddownthebedofthesluitalittlewayandcametoanoverhangingbank，underwhich，sittingontheredsand，weretwomen。Onewasatiny，ragged，oldbushman，fourfeethigh；theotherwasanEnglishnavvy，inadarkblueblouse。Theycutthekid’sthroatwiththenavvy’slongknife，andcoveredupthebloodwithsand，andburiedtheentrailsandskin。Thentheytalked，andquarrelledalittle；andthentheytalkedquietlyagain。
TheHottentotmanputalegofthekidunderhiscoatandlefttherestofthemeatforthetwointhesluit，andwalkedaway。
WhenlittleJannitaawokeitwasalmostsunset。Shesatupveryfrightened，buthergoatswereallabouther。Shebegantodrivethemhome。\"Idonotthinkthereareanylost，\"shesaid。
Dirk，theHottentot，hadbroughthisflockhomealready，andstoodatthekraaldoorwithhisraggedyellowtrousers。ThefatoldBoerputhisstickacrossthedoor，andletJannita’sgoatsjumpover，onebyone。Hecountedthem。Whenthelastjumpedover：\"Haveyoubeentosleeptoday？\"hesaid；
\"thereisonemissing。\"
ThenlittleJannitaknewwhatwascoming，andshesaid，inalowvoice，\"No。\"Andthenshefeltinherheartthatdeadlysicknessthatyoufeelwhenyoutellalie；andagainshesaid，\"Yes。\"
\"Doyouthinkyouwillhaveanysupperthisevening？\"saidtheBoer。
\"No，\"saidJannita。
\"Whatdoyouthinkyouwillhave？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidJannita。
\"Givemeyourwhip，\"saidtheBoertoDirk，theHottentot……
Themoonwasallbutfullthatnight。Oh，butitslightwasbeautiful！
Thelittlegirlcrepttothedooroftheouthousewheresheslept，andlookedatit。Whenyouarehungry，andvery，verysore，youdonotcry。
Sheleanedherchinononehand，andlooked，withhergreatdove’seyes——
theotherhandwascutopen，soshewrappeditinherpinafore。Shelookedacrosstheplainatthesandandthelowkaroo—bushes，withthemoonlightonthem。
Presently，therecameslowly，fromfaraway，awildspringbuck。Itcameclosetothehouse，andstoodlookingatitinwonder，whilethemoonlightglintedonitshorns，andinitsgreateyes。Itstoodwonderingattheredbrickwalls，andthegirlwatchedit。Then，suddenly，asifitscorneditall，itcurveditsbeautifulbackandturned；andawayitfledoverthebushesandsand，likeasheenystreakofwhitelightning。Shestooduptowatchit。Sofree，sofree！Away，away！Shewatched，tillshecouldseeitnomoreonthewideplain。
Herheartswelled，larger，larger，larger：sheutteredalowcry；andwithoutwaiting，pausing，thinking，shefollowedonitstrack。Away，away，away！\"I——Ialso！\"shesaid，\"I——Ialso！\"
Whenatlastherlegsbegantotrembleunderher，andshestoppedtobreathe，thehousewasaspeckbehindher。Shedroppedontheearth，andheldherpantingsides。
Shebegantothinknow。
Ifshestayedontheplaintheywouldtraceherfootstepsinthemorningandcatchher；butifshewadedinthewaterinthebedoftherivertheywouldnotbeabletofindherfootmarks；andshewouldhide，therewheretherocksandthekopjeswere。
Soshestoodupandwalkedtowardstheriver。Thewaterintheriverwaslow；justalineofsilverinthebroadbedofsand，hereandtherebroadeningintoapool。Shesteppedintoit，andbathedherfeetinthedeliciouscoldwater。Upandupthestreamshewalked，whereitrattledoverthepebbles，andpastwherethefarmhouselay；andwheretherockswerelargesheleapedfromonetotheother。Thenightwindinherfacemadeherstrong——shelaughed。Shehadneverfeltsuchnightwindbefore。
Sothenightsmellstothewildbucks，becausetheyarefree！Afreethingfeelsasachainedthingnevercan。
Atlastshecametoaplacewherethewillowsgrewoneachsideoftheriver，andtrailedtheirlongbranchesonthesandybed。Shecouldnottellwhy，shecouldnottellthereason，butafeelingoffearcameoverher。
Ontheleftbankroseachainofkopjesandaprecipiceofrocks。Betweentheprecipiceandtheriverbanktherewasanarrowpathcoveredbythefragmentsoffallenrock。Anduponthesummitoftheprecipiceakippersoltreegrew，whosepalm—likeleaveswereclearlycutoutagainstthenightsky。Therockscastadeepshadow，andthewillowtrees，oneithersideoftheriver。Shepaused，lookedupandabouther，andthenranon，fearful。
\"WhatwasIafraidof？HowfoolishIhavebeen！\"shesaid，whenshecametoaplacewherethetreeswerenotsoclosetogether。Andshestoodstillandlookedbackandshivered。
Atlastherstepsgrewwearierandwearier。Shewasverysleepynow，shecouldscarcelyliftherfeet。Shesteppedoutoftheriver—bed。Sheonlysawthattherocksaboutherwerewild，asthoughmanylittlekopjeshadbeenbrokenupandstrewnupontheground，laydownatthefootofanaloe，andfellasleep……
But，inthemorning，shesawwhatagloriousplaceitwas。Therockswerepiledononeanother，andtossedthiswayandthat。Pricklypearsgrewamongthem，andtherewerenolessthansixkippersoltreesscatteredhereandthereamongthebrokenkopjes。Intherockstherewerehundredsofhomesfortheconies，andfromthecreviceswildasparagushungdown。Sherantotheriver，bathedintheclearcoldwater，andtosseditoverherhead。Shesangaloud。Allthesongssheknewweresad，soshecouldnotsingthemnow，shewasglad，shewassofree；butshesangthenoteswithoutthewords，asthecock—o—veetsdo。Singingandjumpingalltheway，shewentback，andtookasharpstone，andcutattherootofakippersol，andgotoutalargepiece，aslongasherarm，andsattochewit。Twoconiescameoutontherockaboveherheadandpeepedather。Sheheldthemoutapiece，buttheydidnotwantit，andranaway。
Itwasverydelicioustoher。Kippersolislikerawquince，whenitisverygreen；butshelikedit。Whengoodfoodisthrownatyoubyotherpeople，strangetosay，itisverybitter；butwhateveryoufindyourselfissweet！
Whenshehadfinishedshedugoutanotherpiece，andwenttolookforapantrytoputitin。Atthetopofaheapofrocksupwhichsheclamberedshefoundthatsomelargestonesstoodapartbutmetatthetop，makingaroom。
\"Oh，thisismylittlehome！\"shesaid。
Atthetopandallrounditwasclosed，onlyinthefrontitwasopen。
Therewasabeautifulshelfinthewallforthekippersol，andshescrambleddownagain。Shebroughtagreatbunchofpricklypear，andstuckitinacrevicebeforethedoor，andhungwildasparagusoverit，tillitlookedasthoughitgrewthere。Noonecouldseethattherewasaroomthere，forsheleftonlyatinyopening，andhungabranchoffeatheryasparagusoverit。Thenshecreptintoseehowitlooked。Therewasaglorioussoftgreenlight。Thenshewentoutandpickedsomeofthosepurplelittlegroundflowers——youknowthem——thosethatkeeptheirfacesclosetotheground，butwhenyouturnthemupandlookatthemtheyaredeepblueeyeslookingintoyours！Shetookthemwithalittleearth，andputtheminthecrevicesbetweentherocks；andsotheroomwasquitefurnished。Afterwardsshewentdowntotheriverandbroughtherarmsfullofwillow，andmadealovelybed；and，becausetheweatherwasveryhot，shelaydowntorestuponit。
Shewenttosleepsoon，andsleptlong，forshewasveryweak。Lateintheafternoonshewasawakenedbyafewcolddropsfallingonherface。Shesatup。Agreatandfiercethunderstormhadbeenraging，andafewofthecooldropshadfallenthroughthecreviceintherocks。Shepushedtheasparagusbranchaside，andlookedout，withherlittlehandsfoldedaboutherknees。Sheheardthethunderrolling，andsawtheredtorrentsrushamongthestonesontheirwaytotheriver。Sheheardtheroaroftheriverasitnowrolled，angryandred，bearingawaystumpsandtreesonitsmuddywater。Shelistenedandsmiled，andpressedclosertotherockthattookcareofher。Shepressedthepalmofherhandagainstit。Whenyouhavenoonetoloveyou，youlovethedumbthingsverymuch。Whenthesunset，itclearedup。Thenthelittlegirlatesomekippersol，andlaydownagaintosleep。Shethoughttherewasnothingsoniceastosleep。Whenonehashadnofoodbutkippersoljuicefortwodays，onedoesn’tfeelstrong。
\"Itissonicehere，\"shethoughtasshewenttosleep，\"Iwillstayherealways。\"
Afterwardsthemoonrose。Theskywasveryclearnow，therewasnotacloudanywhere；andthemoonshoneinthroughthebushesinthedoor，andmadealattice—workoflightonherface。Shewasdreamingabeautifuldream。Theloveliestdreamsofallaredreamedwhenyouarehungry。Shethoughtshewaswalkinginabeautifulplace，holdingherfather’shand，andtheybothhadcrownsontheirheads，crownsofwildasparagus。Thepeoplewhomtheypassedsmiledandkissedher；somegaveherflowers，andsomegaveherfood，andthesunlightwaseverywhere。Shedreamedthesamedreamoverandover，anditgrewmoreandmorebeautiful；till，suddenly，itseemedasthoughshewerestandingquitealone。Shelookedup：ononesideofherwasthehighprecipice，ontheotherwastheriver，withthewillowtrees，droopingtheirbranchesintothewater；andthemoonlightwasoverall。Up，againstthenightskythepointedleavesofthekippersoltreeswereclearlymarked，andtherocksandthewillowtreescastdarkshadows。
Inhersleepsheshivered，andhalfawoke。
\"Ah，Iamnotthere，Iamhere，\"shesaid；andshecreptclosertotherock，andkissedit，andwenttosleepagain。
Itmusthavebeenaboutthreeo’clock，forthemoonhadbeguntosinktowardsthewesternsky，whenshewoke，withaviolentstart。Shesatup，andpressedherhandagainstherheart。
\"Whatcanitbe？Aconymustsurelyhaverunacrossmyfeetandfrightenedme！\"shesaid，andsheturnedtoliedownagain；butsoonshesatup。
Outside，therewasthedistinctsoundofthornscracklinginafire。
Shecrepttothedoorandmadeanopeninginthebrancheswithherfingers。
Alargefirewasblazingintheshadow，atthefootoftherocks。AlittleBushmansatoversomeburningcoalsthathadbeenrakedfromit，cookingmeat。StretchedonthegroundwasanEnglishman，dressedinablouse，andwithaheavy，sullenface。OnthestonebesidehimwasDirk，theHottentot，sharpeningabowieknife。
Sheheldherbreath。Notaconyinalltherockswassostill。
\"Theycanneverfindmehere，\"shesaid；andsheknelt，andlistenedtoeverywordtheysaid。Shecouldhearitall。
\"Youmayhaveallthemoney，\"saidtheBushman；\"butIwantthecaskofbrandy。Iwillsettheroofalightinsixplaces，foraDutchmanburntmymotheroncealiveinahut，withthreechildren。\"
\"Youaresurethereisnooneelseonthefarm？\"saidthenavvy。
\"No，IhavetoldyoutillIamtired，\"saidDirk；\"ThetwoKaffirshavegonewiththesontotown；andthemaidshavegonetoadance；thereisonlytheoldmanandthetwowomenleft。\"
\"Butsuppose，\"saidthenavvy，\"heshouldhavethegunathisbedside，andloaded！\"
\"Heneverhas，\"saidDirk；\"ithangsinthepassage，andthecartridgestoo。Heneverthoughtwhenheboughtitwhatworkitwasfor！Ionlywishthelittlewhitegirlwastherestill，\"saidDirk；\"butsheisdrowned。Wetracedherfootmarkstothegreatpoolthathasnobottom。\"
Shelistenedtoeveryword，andtheytalkedon。
Afterwards，thelittleBushman，whocrouchedoverthefire，satupsuddenly，listening。
\"Ha！whatisthat？\"hesaid。
ABushmanislikeadog：hisearissofineheknowsajackal’streadfromawilddog’s。
\"Iheardnothing，\"saidthenavvy。
\"Iheard，\"saidtheHottentot；\"butitwasonlyaconyontherocks。\"
\"Nocony，nocony，\"saidtheBushman；\"see，whatisthattheremovingintheshaderoundthepoint？\"
\"Nothing，youidiot！\"saidthenavvy。\"Finishyourmeat；wemuststartnow。\"
Thereweretworoadstothehomestead。Onewentalongtheopenplain，andwasbyfartheshortest；butyoumightbeseenhalfamileoff。Theotherranalongtheriverbank，wheretherewererocks，andholes，andwillowtreestohideamong。Andalldowntheriverbankranalittlefigure。
Theriverwasswollenbythestormfulltoitsbanks，andthewillowtreesdippedtheirhalf—drownedbranchesintoitswater。Wherevertherewasagapbetweenthem，youcouldseeitflow，redandmuddy，withthestumpsuponit。Butthelittlefigureranonandon；neverlooking，neverthinking；panting，panting！There，wheretherockswerethethickest；
there，whereontheopenspacethemoonlightshone；there，wherethepricklypearsweretangled，andtherockscastshadows，onitran；thelittlehandsclinched，thelittleheartbeating，theeyesfixedalwaysahead。
Itwasnotfartorunnow。Onlythenarrowpathbetweenthehighrocksandtheriver。
Atlastshecametotheendofit，andstoodforaninstant。Beforeherlaytheplain，andtheredfarmhouse，sonear，thatifpersonshadbeenwalkingthereyoumighthaveseentheminthemoonlight。Sheclaspedherhands。\"Yes，Iwilltellthem，Iwilltellthem！\"shesaid；\"Iamalmostthere！\"Sheranforwardagain，thenhesitated。Sheshadedhereyesfromthemoonlight，andlooked。Betweenherandthefarmhousetherewerethreefiguresmovingoverthelowbushes。
Inthesheenymoonlightyoucouldseehowtheymovedon，slowlyandfurtively；theshortone，andtheoneinlightclothes，andtheoneindark。
\"Icannothelpthemnow！\"shecried，andsankdownontheground，withherlittlehandsclaspedbeforeher……
\"Awake，awake！\"saidthefarmer’swife；\"Ihearastrangenoise；somethingcalling，calling，calling！\"
Themanrose，andwenttothewindow。
\"Ihearitalso，\"hesaid；\"surelysomejackal’satthesheep。Iwillloadmygunandgoandsee。\"
\"Itsoundstomelikethecryofnojackal，\"saidthewoman；andwhenhewasgoneshewokeherdaughter。
\"Come，letusgoandmakeafire，Icansleepnomore，\"shesaid；\"Ihaveheardastrangethingtonight。Yourfathersaiditwasajackal’scry，butnojackalcriesso。Itwasachild’svoice，anditcried，’Master，master，wake！’\"
Thewomenlookedateachother；thentheywenttothekitchen，andmadeagreatfire；andtheysangpsalmsallthewhile。
Atlastthemancameback；andtheyaskedhim，\"Whathaveyouseen？\"
\"Nothing，\"hesaid，\"butthesheepasleepintheirkraals，andthemoonlightonthewalls。Andyet，itdidseemtome，\"headded，\"thatfarawaynearthekrantzbytheriver，Isawthreefiguresmoving。Andafterwards——itmighthavebeenfancy——IthoughtIheardthecryagain；butsincethat，allhasbeenstillthere。\"……
Nextdayanavvyhadreturnedtotherailwayworks。
\"Wherehaveyoubeensolong？\"hiscomradesasked。
\"Hekeepslookingoverhisshoulder，\"saidone，\"asthoughhethoughtheshouldseesomethingthere。\"
\"Whenhedrankhisgrogtoday，\"saidanother，\"heletitfall，andlookedround。\"
Nextday，asmalloldBushman，andaHottentot，inraggedyellowtrousers，wereatawaysidecanteen。WhentheBushmanhadhadbrandy，hebegantotellhowsomething（hedidnotsaywhetheritwasman，woman，orchild）hadliftedupitshandsandcriedformercy；hadkissedawhiteman’shands，andcriedtohimtohelpit。ThentheHottentottooktheBushmanbythethroat，anddraggedhimout。
Nextnight，themoonroseup，andmountedthequietsky。Shewasfullnow，andlookedinatthelittlehome；atthepurpleflowersstuckabouttheroom，andthekippersolontheshelf。Herlightfellonthewillowtrees，andonthehighrocks，andonalittlenew—madeheapofearthandroundstones。Threemenknewwhatwasunderit；andnooneelseeverwill。
LilyKloof，SouthAfrica。
II。THEWOMAN’SROSE。
Ihaveanold，browncarvedbox；thelidisbrokenandtiedwithastring。
InitIkeeplittlesquaresofpaper，withhairinside，andalittlepicturewhichhungovermybrother’sbedwhenwewerechildren，andotherthingsassmall。Ihaveinitarose。Otherwomenalsohavesuchboxeswheretheykeepsuchtrifles，butnoonehasmyrose。
Whenmyeyeisdim，andmyheartgrowsfaint，andmyfaithinwomanflickers，andherpresentisanagonytome，andherfutureadespair，thescentofthatdeadrose，witheredfortwelveyears，comesbacktome。I
knowtherewillbespring；assurelyasthebirdsknowitwhentheyseeabovethesnowtwotiny，quiveringgreenleaves。Springcannotfailus。
Therewereotherflowersintheboxonce；abunchofwhiteacaciaflowers，gatheredbythestronghandofaman，aswepasseddownavillagestreetonasultryafternoon，whenithadrained，andthedropsfellonusfromtheleavesoftheacaciatrees。Theflowersweredamp；theymademildewmarksonthepaperIfoldedthemin。AftermanyyearsIthrewthemaway。Thereisnothingofthemleftintheboxnow，butafaint，strongsmellofdriedacacia，thatrecallsthatsultrysummerafternoon；buttheroseisintheboxstill。
Itismanyyearsagonow；Iwasagirloffifteen，andIwenttovisitinasmallup—countrytown。Itwasyounginthosedays，andtwodays’journeyfromthenearestvillage；thepopulationconsistedmainlyofmen。Afewweremarried，andhadtheirwivesandchildren，butmostweresingle。
TherewasonlyoneyounggirltherewhenIcame。Shewasaboutseventeen，fair，andratherfully—fleshed；shehadlargedreamyblueeyes，andwavylighthair；full，ratherheavylips，untilshesmiled；thenherfacebrokeintodimples，andallherwhiteteethshone。Thehotel—keepermayhavehadadaughter，andthefarmerintheoutskirtshadtwo，butweneversawthem。
Shereignedalone。Allthemenworshippedher。Shewastheonlywomantheyhadtothinkof。Theytalkedofheronthestoep，atthemarket，atthehotel；theywatchedforheratstreetcorners；theyhatedthemanshebowedtoorwalkedwithdownthestreet。Theybroughtflowerstothefrontdoor；theyofferedhertheirhorses；theybeggedhertomarrythemwhentheydared。Partly，therewassomethingnobleandheroicinthisdevotionofmentothebestwomantheyknew；partlytherewassomethingnaturalinit，thatthesemen，shutofffromtheworld，shouldpouratthefeetofonewomantheworshipthatotherwisewouldhavebeengiventotwenty；andpartlytherewassomethingmeanintheirenvyofoneanother。Ifshehadraisedherlittlefinger，Isuppose，shemighthavemarriedanyoneoutoftwentyofthem。
ThenIcame。IdonotthinkIwasprettier；IdonotthinkIwassoprettyasshewas。Iwascertainlynotashandsome。ButIwasvital，andIwasnew，andshewasold——theyallforsookherandfollowedme。Theyworshippedme。Itwastomydoorthattheflowerscame；itwasIhadtwentyhorsesofferedmewhenIcouldonlyrideone；itwasformetheywaitedatstreetcorners；itwaswhatIsaidanddidthattheytalkedof。
PartlyIlikedit。Ihadlivedaloneallmylife；nooneeverhadtoldmeIwasbeautifulandawoman。Ibelievedthem。Ididnotknowitwassimplyafashion，whichonemanhadsetandtherestfollowedunreasoningly。Ilikedthemtoaskmetomarrythem，andtosay，No。I
despisedthem。Themotherhearthadnotswelledinmeyet；Ididnotknowallmenweremychildren，asthelargewomanknowswhenherheartisgrown。
Iwastoosmalltobetender。Ilikedmypower。Iwaslikeachildwithanewwhip，whichitgoesaboutcrackingeverywhere，notcaringagainstwhat。
Icouldnotwinditupandputitaway。Menwerecuriouscreatures，wholikedme，Icouldnevertellwhy。Onlyonethingtookfrommypleasure；I
couldnotbearthattheyhaddesertedherforme。Ilikedhergreatdreamyblueeyes，Ilikedherslowwalkanddrawl；whenIsawhersittingamongmen，sheseemedtomemuchtoogoodtobeamongthem；Iwouldhavegivenalltheircomplimentsifshewouldoncehavesmiledatmeasshesmiledatthem，withallherfacebreakingintoradiance，withherdimplesandflashingteeth。ButIknewitnevercouldbe；Ifeltsureshehatedme；
thatshewishedIwasdead；thatshewishedIhadnevercometothevillage。Shedidnotknow，whenwewentoutriding，andamanwhohadalwaysriddenbesidehercametoridebesideme，thatIsenthimaway；thatoncewhenamanthoughttowinmyfavourbyridiculingherslowdrawlbeforemeIturnedonhimsofiercelythatheneverdaredcomebeforemeagain。Iknewsheknewthatatthehotelmenhadmadeabetastowhichwastheprettier，sheorI，andhadaskedeachmanwhocamein，andthattheonewhohadstakedonmewon。Ihatedthemforit，butIwouldnotletherseethatIcaredaboutwhatshefelttowardsme。
SheandIneverspoketoeachother。
Ifwemetinthevillagestreetwebowedandpassedon；whenweshookhandswedidsosilently，anddidnotlookateachother。ButIthoughtshefeltmypresenceinaroomjustasIfelthers。
Atlastthetimeformygoingcame。Iwastoleavethenextday。SomeoneIknewgaveapartyinmyhonour，towhichallthevillagewasinvited。
Itwasmidwinter。Therewasnothinginthegardensbutafewdahliasandchrysanthemums，andIsupposethatfortwohundredmilesroundtherewasnotarosetobeboughtforloveormoney。Onlyinthegardenofafriendofmine，inasunnycornerbetweentheovenandthebrickwall，therewasarosetreegrowingwhichhadonitonebud。Itwaswhite，andithadbeenpromisedtothefairhairedgirltowearattheparty。
Theeveningcame；whenIarrivedandwenttothewaiting—room，totakeoffmymantle，Ifoundthegirltherealready。Shewasdressedinpurewhite，withhergreatwhitearmsandshouldersshowing，andherbrighthairglitteringinthecandle—light，andthewhiterosefastenedatherbreast。
Shelookedlikeaqueen。Isaid\"Good—evening，\"andturnedawayquicklytotheglasstoarrangemyoldblackscarfacrossmyoldblackdress。
ThenIfeltahandtouchmyhair。
\"Standstill，\"shesaid。
Ilookedintheglass。Shehadtakenthewhiterosefromherbreast，andwasfasteningitinmyhair。
\"Hownicedarkhairis；itsetsoffflowersso。\"Shesteppedbackandlookedatme。\"Itlooksmuchbetterthere！\"
Iturnedround。
\"Youaresobeautifultome，\"Isaid。
\"Y—e—s，\"shesaid，withherslowColonialdrawl；\"I’msoglad。\"
Westoodlookingateachother。
Thentheycameinandsweptusawaytodance。Alltheeveningwedidnotcomeneartoeachother。Onlyonce，asshepassed，shesmiledatme。
ThenextmorningIleftthetown。
Ineversawheragain。
YearsafterwardsIheardshehadmarriedandgonetoAmerica；itmayormaynotbeso——buttherose——theroseisintheboxstill！Whenmyfaithinwomangrowsdim，anditseemsthatforwantofloveandmagnanimityshecanplaynopartinanyfutureheaven；thenthescentofthatsmallwitheredthingcomesback：——springcannotfailus。
Matjesfontein，SouthAfrica。
III。\"THEPOLICYINFAVOUROFPROTECTION——\"。
WasitRight？——WasitWrong？
Awomansatatherdeskinthecornerofaroom；behindherafireburntbrightly。
Presentlyaservantcameinandgaveheracard。
\"SayIambusyandcanseenoonenow。Ihavetofinishthisarticlebytwoo’clock。\"
Theservantcameback。Thecallersaidshewouldonlykeepheramoment：
itwasnecessarysheshouldseeher。
Thewomanrosefromherdesk。\"Telltheboytowait。Asktheladytocomein。\"
Ayoungwomaninasilkdress，withacloakreachingtoherfeet，entered。
Shewastallandslight，withfairhair。
\"Iknewyouwouldnotmind。Iwishedtoseeyouso！\"
Thewomanofferedheraseatbythefire。\"MayIloosenyourcloak？——theroomiswarm。\"
\"Iwantedsotocomeandseeyou。Youaretheonlypersonintheworldwhocouldhelpme！Iknowyouaresolarge，andgenerous，andkindtootherwomen！\"Shesatdown。Tearsstoodinherlargeblueeyes：shewaspullingoffherlittleglovesunconsciously。
\"YouknowMr。——\"（shementionedthenameofawell—knownwriter）：\"Iknowyoumeethimofteninyourwork。Iwantyoutodosomethingforme！\"
Thewomanonthehearth—ruglookeddownather。
\"Icouldn’ttellmyfatherormymother，oranyoneelse；butIcantellyou，thoughIknowsolittleofyou。Youknow，lastsummerhecameandstayedwithusamonth。Isawagreatdealofhim。Idon’tknowifhelikedme；Iknowhelikedmysinging，andwerodetogether——IlikedhimmorethananymanIhaveeverseen。Oh，youknowitisn’ttruethatawomancanonlylikeamanwhenhelikesher；andIthought，perhaps，helikedmealittle。Sincewehavebeenintownwehaveasked，buthehasnevercometoseeus。Perhapspeoplehavebeensayingsomethingtohimaboutme。Youknowhim，youarealwaysmeetinghim，couldn’tyousayordoanythingforme？\"Shelookedupwithherlipswhiteanddrawn。\"IfeelsometimesasifIweregoingmad！Oh，itissoterribletobeawoman！\"
Thewomanlookeddownather。\"NowIhearhelikesanotherwoman。Idon’tknowwhosheis，buttheysaysheissoclever，andwrites。Oh，itissoterrible，Ican’tbearit。\"
Thewomanleanedherelbowagainstthemantelpiece，andherfaceagainstherhand。Shelookeddownintothefire。Thensheturnedandlookedattheyoungerwoman。\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"itisaveryterriblethingtobeawoman。\"Shewassilent。Shesaidwithsomedifficulty：\"Areyousureyoulovehim？Areyousureitisnotonlythefeelingayounggirlhasforanoldermanwhoiscelebrated，andofwhomeveryoneistalking？\"
\"Ihavebeennearlymad。Ihaven’tsleptforweeks！\"Sheknitherlittlehandstogether，tillthejewelledringsalmostcutintothefingers。\"Heiseverythingtome；thereisnothingelseintheworld。You，whoaresogreat，andstrong，andclever，andwhocareonlyforyourwork，andformenasyourfriends，youcannotunderstandwhatitiswhenonepersoniseverythingtoyou，whenthereisnothingelseintheworld！\"
\"Andwhatdoyouwantmetodo？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow！\"Shelookedup。\"Awomanknowswhatshecando。Don’ttellhimthatIlovehim。\"Shelookedupagain。\"Justsaysomethingtohim。Oh，it’ssoterribletobeawoman；Ican’tdoanything。Youwon’ttellhimexactlythatIlovehim？That’sthethingthatmakesamanhateawoman，ifyoutellithimplainly。\"
\"IfIspeaktohimImustspeakopenly。Heismyfriend。Icannotfencewithhim。Ihaveneverfencedwithhiminmyownaffairs。\"Shemovedasthoughsheweregoingawayfromthefireplace，thensheturnedandsaid：
\"Haveyouthoughtofwhatloveisbetweenamanandawomanwhenitmeansmarriage？Thatlong，longlifetogether，dayafterday，strippedofallromanceanddistance，livingfacetoface：seeingeachotherasamanseeshisownsoul？Doyourealizethattheendofmarriageistomakethemanandwomanstrongerthantheywere；andthatifyoucannot，whenyouareanoldmanandwomanandsitbythefire，say，’Lifehasbeenabraverandafreerthingforus，becausewepassedithandinhand，thanifwehadpassedthroughitalone，’ithasfailed？Doyoucareforhimenoughtoliveforhim，nottomorrow，butwhenheisanold，fadedman，andyouanold，fadedwoman？Canyouforgivehimhissinsandhisweaknesses，whentheyhurtyoumost？Ifheweretolieaquerulousinvalidfortwentyyears，wouldyoubeabletofoldhiminyourarmsallthattime，andcomforthim，asamothercomfortsherlittlechild？\"Thewomandrewherbreathheavily。
\"Oh，Ilovehimabsolutely！Iwouldbegladtodie，ifonlyIcouldonceknowthathelovedmebetterthananythingintheworld！\"
Thewomanstoodlookingdownather。\"Haveyouneverthoughtofthatotherwoman；whethershecouldnotperhapsmakehislifeasperfectasyou？\"sheasked，slowly。
\"Oh，nowomanevercouldbetohimwhatIwouldbe。Iwouldliveforhim。
Hebelongstome。\"Shebentherselfforward，notcrying，buthershouldersmoving。\"Itissuchaterriblethingtobeawoman，tobeabletodonothingandsaynothing！\"
Thewomanputherhandonhershoulder；theyoungerwomanlookedupintoherface；thentheelderturnedawayandstoodlookingintothefire。
Therewassuchquiet，youcouldheartheclocktickabovethewriting—
table。
Thewomansaid：\"ThereisonethingIcandoforyou。Idonotknowifitwillbeofanyuse——Iwilldoit。\"Sheturnedaway。
\"Oh，youaresogreatandgood，sobeautiful，sodifferentfromotherwomen，whoarealwaysthinkingonlyofthemselves！Thankyousomuch。I
knowIcantrustyou。Icouldn’thavetoldmymother，oranyonebutyou。\"
\"Nowyoumustgo；Ihavemyworktofinish。\"
Theyoungerwomanputherarmsroundher。\"Oh，youaresogoodandbeautiful！\"
Thesilkdressandthefurcloakrustledoutoftheroom。
Thewomanwhowasleftalonewalkedupanddown，atlastfasterandfaster，tillthedropsstoodonherforehead。Afteratimeshewentuptothetable；therewaswrittenillegiblyinaman’shandonafragmentofmanuscriptpaper：\"CanIcometoseeyouthisafternoon？\"Nearitwasaclosedandaddressedenvelope。Sheopenedit。Initwerewrittenthewords：\"Yes，please，come。\"
Shetoreitacrossandwrotethewords：\"No，Ishallnotbeatliberty。\"
Sheclosedtheminanenvelopeandaddressedthem。Thensherolledupthemanuscriptonthetableandrangthebell。Shegaveittotheservant。
\"Telltheboytogivethistohismaster，andsaythearticleendsratherabruptly；theymuststateitistobecontinued；Iwillfinishittomorrow。
AshepassesNo。20lethimleavethisnotethere。\"
Theservantwentout。Shewalkedupanddownwithherhandsfoldedaboveherhead……
Twomonthsafter，theolderwomanstoodbeforethefire。Thedooropenedsuddenly，andtheyoungerwomancamein。
\"Ihadtocome——Icouldn’twait。Youhaveheard，hewasmarriedthismorning？Oh，doyouthinkitistrue？Dohelpme！\"Sheputoutherhands。
\"Sitdown。Yes，itisquitetrue。\"
\"Oh，itissoterrible，andIdidn’tknowanything！Didyoueversayanythingtohim？\"Shecaughtthewoman’shands。
\"Ineversawhimagainafterthedayyouwerehere，——soIcouldnotspeaktohim，——butIdidwhatIcould。\"Shestoodlookingpassivelyintothefire。
\"Andtheysaysheisquiteachild，onlyeighteen。Theysayheonlysawherthreetimesbeforeheproposedtoher。Doyouthinkitistrue？\"
\"Yes，itisquitetrue。\"
\"Hecan’tloveher。Theysayhe’sonlymarryingherforherrankandhermoney。\"
Thewomanturnedquickly。
\"Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat？NoonebutIknowhim。Whatneedhasheofanyone’srankorwealth？Heisgreaterthanthemall！Olderwomenmayhavefailedhim；hehasneededtoturntoherbeautiful，fresh，younglifetocompensatehim。Sheisawomanwhomanymanmighthaveloved，soyoungandbeautiful；herfamilyarefamedfortheirintellect。Ifhetrainsher，shemaymakehimabetterwifethananyotherwomanwouldhavedone。\"
\"Oh，butIcan’tbearit——Ican’tbearit！\"Theyoungerwomansatdowninthechair。\"Shewillbehiswife，andhavehischildren。\"
\"Yes。\"Theelderwomanmovedquickly。\"Onewantstohavethechild，andlayitsheadonone’sbreastandfeedit。\"Shemovedquickly。\"Itwouldnotmatterifanotherwomanboreit，ifonehadittotakecareof。\"Shemovedrestlessly。
\"Oh，no，Icouldn’tbearittobehers。WhenIthinkofherIfeelasifI
weredying；allmyfingersturncold；Ifeeldead。Oh，youwereonlyhisfriend；youdon’tknow！\"
Theolderspokesoftlyandquickly，\"Don’tyoufeelalittlegentletoherwhenyouthinkshe’sgoingtobehiswifeandthemotherofhischild？I
wouldliketoputmyarmsroundherandtouchheronce，ifshewouldletme。Sheissobeautiful，theysay。\"
\"Oh，Icouldneverbeartoseeher；itwouldkillme。Andtheyaresohappytogethertoday！Heislovingherso！\"
\"Don’tyouwanthimtobehappy？\"Theolderwomanlookeddownather。
\"Haveyouneverlovedhim，atall？\"
Theyoungerwoman’sfacewascoveredwithherhands。\"Oh，it’ssoterrible，sodark！andIshallgoonlivingyearafteryear，alwaysinthisawfulpain！Oh，ifIcouldonlydie！\"
Theolderwomanstoodlookingintothefire；thenslowlyandmeasuredlyshesaid，\"Therearetimes，inlife，wheneverythingseemsdark，whenthebrainreels，andwecannotseethatthereisanythingbutdeath。But，ifwewaitlongenough，afterlong，longyears，calmcomes。Itmaybewecannotsayitwaswell；butwearecontented，weacceptthepast。Thestruggleisended。Thatdaymaycomeforyou，perhapssoonerthanyouthink。\"Shespokeslowlyandwithdifficulty。
\"No，itcannevercomeforme。IfonceIhavelovedathing，Iloveitforever。Icanneverforget。\"
\"Loveisnottheonlyendinlife。Thereareotherthingstolivefor。\"
\"Oh，yes，foryou！Tomeloveiseverything！\"
\"Now，youmustgo，dear。\"
Theyoungerwomanstoodup。\"Ithasbeensuchacomforttotalktoyou。I
thinkIshouldhavekilledmyselfifIhadnotcome。Youhelpmeso。I
shallalwaysbegratefultoyou。\"
Theolderwomantookherhand。
\"Iwanttoasksomethingofyou。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Icannotquiteexplaintoyou。Youwillnotunderstand。Buttherearetimeswhensomethingmoreterriblecancomeintoalifethanitshouldlosewhatitloves。Ifyouhavehadadreamofwhatlifeoughttobe，andyoutrytomakeitreal，andyoufail；andsomethingyouhavekilledoutinyourheartforlongyearswakesupandcries，’Leteachmanplayhisowngame，andcarenothingforthehandofhisfellow！Eachmanforhimself。
Sothegamemustbeplayed！’andyoudoubtallyouhavelivedfor，andthegroundseemswashingoutunderyourfeet——。\"Shepaused。\"Suchatimehascometomenow。Ifyouwouldpromisemethatifeveranotherwomancomestoseekyourhelp，youwillgiveittoher，andtrytoloveherformysake，Ithinkitwillhelpme。IthinkIshouldbeabletokeepmyfaith。\"
\"Oh，Iwilldoanythingyouaskmeto。Youaresogoodandgreat。\"
\"Oh，goodandgreat！——ifyouknew！Nowgo，dear。\"
\"Ihavenotkeptyoufromyourwork，haveI？\"
\"No；Ihavenotbeenworkinglately。Good—by，dear。\"
Theyoungerwomanwent；andtheelderkneltdownbythechair，andwailedlikealittlechildwhenyouhavestruckitanditdoesnotdaretocryloud。
Ayearafter；itwasearlyspringagain。
Thewomansatatherdeskwriting；behindherthefireburntbrightly。ShewaswritingaleadingarticleonthecauseswhichindifferingpeoplesleadtotheadoptionofFreeTradeorProtectionistprinciples。
Thewomanwroteonquickly。Afterawhiletheservantenteredandlaidapileoflettersonthetable。\"TelltheboyIshallhavedoneinfifteenminutes。\"Shewroteon。Thenshecaughtsightofthewritingononeoftheletters。Sheputdownherpen，andopenedit。Itranso：——
\"DearFriend，——Iamwritingtoyou，becauseIknowyouwillrejoicetohearofmygreathappiness。Doyourememberhowyoutoldmethatdaybythefiretowait，andafterlong，longyearsIshouldseethatallwasforthebest？Thattimehascomesoonerthanwehoped。LastweekinRomeIwasmarriedtothebest，noblest，mostlarge—heartedofmen。WearenowinFlorencetogether。Youdon’tknowhowbeautifulalllifeistome。Iknownowthattheoldpassionwasonlyagirl’sfoolishdream。MyhusbandisthefirstmanIhaveevertrulyloved。Helovesmeandunderstandsmeasnoothermanevercould。Iamthankfulthatmydreamwasbroken；Godhadbetterthingsinstoreforme。Idon’thatethatwomananymore；Iloveeveryone！Howareyou，dear？WeshallcomeandseeyouassoonaswearriveinEngland。Ialwaysthinkofyousohappyinyourgreatworkandhelpingotherpeople。Idon’tthinknowitisterribletobeawoman；itislovely。
\"Ihopeyouareenjoyingthisbeautifulspringweather。
\"Yours，alwaysfullofgratitudeandlove，\"E——。\"
Thewomanreadtheletter：thenshestoodupandwalkedtowardsthefire。
Shedidnotre—readit，butstoodwithitopeninherhand，lookingdownintotheblaze。Herlipsweredrawninatthecorners。Presentlyshetoretheletterupslowly，andwatchedthebitsfloatingdownonebyoneintothegrate。Thenshewentbacktoherdesk，andbegantowrite，withhermouthstilldrawninatthecorners。Afterawhileshelaidherarmonthepaperandherheadonherarm，andseemedtogotosleepthere。
Presentlytheservantknocked；theboywaswaiting。\"Tellhimtowaittenminutesmore。\"Shetookupherpen——\"ThePolicyoftheAustralianColoniesinfavourofProtectioniseasilyunderstood——\"shewaited——\"whenoneconsidersthefact——thefact——；\"thenshefinishedthearticle。
CapeTown，SouthAfrica，1892。