The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-02-26

to her heels.
In her cool, white drill, her wide,
white pith helmet, she presented a
charming picture. The exercise had
given her cheeks a bit of color. and
her eyes sparkled and flashed like
raindrops. This morning she had
taken Martha along merely to still her
protests.
ITS all right so long as we keep to
the main streets" said the harried
Martha, "but l do not like the idea
of roaming about In the native quar-
tiers. This is not like Europe. The
hotel manager said we ought to have
| man.
He Is looking out for his commits
sion. Heavens! what is the matter
with everybody? One would think, the
you, that murder and robbery were
daily occurrences in Asia. I've been
here four months, and the only dis
| agreeable moment I have known was
| caused by a white man."
Because we have been lucky so far,
it's no sign that we shall continue So"
And Martha shut her lips grimly. Her
worry was not confined to this particu-
lar phase of Elsa's imperious moods;
1t was general. There was that blond
man with the parrot. She would never
| feel at ease until they were out OF
Yokohama, homeward bound.
81 feel like child this morning."
Coi mt fo MI
| and shout"
"All the more reason why you should
have a guardian. Look, Elsa!"
Martha caught the girl by the arm.
There's that man we left at Manda-
lay coming toward us. Shall we go
into this shop?"
mo, thank you! There is no reason
why l should hide in butcher shop
simply to avoid meeting the man.
Well walk straight past him. If he
speaks we'll ignore him."
81 wish we were in civilized coun-
try"
This man is supposed to be civil
lized. Don't let him catch your eye.
Go on; don't lag"
Craig stepped in front of them, smil-
ing as he raised his helmet. This is
an unexpected pleasure"
Elsa. looking coldly beyond him, at
tempted to pass.
Surely you remember me?"
II remember an insolent cad" re-
piled Elsa, her eyes beginning to burn
dangerously. Twill you stand aside?"
He threw a swift glance about. He
saw with satisfaction that none but
natives was in evidence.
Elsa's glance roved, too, with little
chill of despair. In stories Warrington
would have appeared about this time
and soundly trounced this impudent
scoundrel. She realized that she must
settle this affair alone. She was not
soldiers daughter for nothing.
Stand aside!"
"Hoity-toity!" he laughed He had
been drinking literally and was
shade reckless. "Why not be a good
fellow? Over here nobody minds. /
know a neat little restaurant Bring
the old lady along" with genial nod
toward the quaking Martha.
Resolutely Elsas hand went up to
her helmet, and with flourish drew
out one of the long steel pins.
"Oh, Elsa!" warned Martha.
BE still! This fellow needs a les
son. Once more, Mr.. Craig, will you
stand aside?'
Had he been sober he would have
seen the real danger in the young
woman's eyes.
Cruel" he said. "At least, one
KISS" putting out his arms.
Elsa, merciless in her fury, plunged
the pin into his wrist. 1t stung like
hornet, and, with gasp of pain, Craig
leaped back out of range, sobered.
why, you she-cat!"
II warned you," she replied, her
voice steady and low. "The second stab
will be serious. Stand aside"
He stepped into the gutter, biting
his lips and straining his uninjured
hand over the hurting throb in his
wrist. He had had wide experience
with women. His advantage had al
ways been in the fact that the general
run of them will submit to insult
rather than create a scene This dark
eyed Judith was distinctly an excep-
ton to the rule. Cad! She might
have missed his wrist and jabbed him
in the throat. He swore. and walked
off down the street
Elsa set pace which Martha, with
her wabbling knees, found difficult to
maintain.
you might have killed him!" she
cried breathlessly.
You can't kill that kind OF a snake
with hatpin; you have to stamp on
its head. But / rather believe it will
be some time before Mr.. Craig will
again make the mistake of insulting
woman because she appears to be
| defenseless." Elsa's chin was in the
air. The choking sensation in her
throat began to subside. you know
and the purser knows what happened
on the boat to Mandalay. He was