Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-29

questioning expression entered tn
strangers eyes. He looked at the cir
80 Korak is an ape7" he said. IAN,
what, pray, are youP'
am Meriem. I. also am an ape"
| Men, was the strangers only oral com
ment upon this startling announcement
put what he thought might have been par
t,aily interpreted through the pitylng ligh
tnat entered his eyes He approached tht
girl and started to lay his hand upon hel
forehead. She drew back with savag,
little growl smile touched his lips.
You need not fear me-" he said "a
snall not harm you, I only wish to dis
| ~ Well IL you are, we will set forth ir
search of Korak."
Meriem looked straight into the keen
gray eyes. She must have found there an
unquestionable assurance Of the honorable.
ness OF their owner, for she permitted him
10 lay his palm upon her forehead and feel
her pulse Apparently she had no fever
the man
Since was little girl, many. many
years ago. and Rorak came and took me
IRON my father who was beating me. Since
and Ait"
Where In the Jungle lives Korak7" asked
the stranger
Meriem pointed with a sweep of her hand
that took in. generously, half the continent
of Africa.
Gould you find your way back to him 7''
II do not know" she replied; but he
will find his way to me-"
Then have a plan" said the stranger.
Il live but few marches from here I
snail take you home, where my wife will,
look after you and care for you until we
can find Korak, or Korak finds us. If he
could find you here, he can find you at
my village Is Il not so7"
Meriem thought that II was so but she
did not like the Idea of not starting imme-
diately back to meet Korak on the other
hand. the man had no intention of permit
ting this poor, insane child to wander fur
ther amid the dangers of the Jungle
whence she had come, or what she had un-
dergone, he could not guess but that her
korak and their life among the apes was
but figment of disordered mind he could
not doubt.
He knew the jungle we'll. and he knew
that men had lived alone and naked among
the savages beasts for years but a frail
and slender girl No, 1t was not possible.
Together they went outside Malblhn's
boys were striking camp in preparation for
hasty departure. The strangers blacks
were conversing with them. Malbihn stood
at distance, angry and glowering.
The stranger approached one of his own
men.
Find out where they got this girl" he
commanded.
The negro thus addressed questioned one
of Malbihn's followers. Presently he re-
turned to his master.
They bought her from old Kovudoo." he
said THAT is all that this fellow will tell
me. He pretends that he knows nothing
more, and think that he does not These
two white men were very bad men. They
did many things that their boys knew not
the meanings of 1t would be WELL .Bwana,
to kill the other"
81 wish that 1 might; but a new law is
come into this part of the jungle. 1t Is
not as 1t was in the old days. Muviri," re-
piled the master,
The stranger remained until Malbihn and
his safari had disappeared into the jungle
toward the north. Merien trustful now,
stood at his side, Geeka clutched in one
slim. brown hand.
They talked together the man wonder
InG at the falterng Arabic of the girl. but
attributing it finally to her defective men
tality.
Could he have known that years had
alapsed since she had used 1t until she
was taken by the Swedes, he would not have