Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-02
THE. CHEERFUL CHERUB

G S--a---C-1.-J
him to the perfumed air of the garden, or
that other infinitely more beautiful flower
who had wandered often among the blooms
beneath the great moon-the black-haired.
sun-tanned 'Merlem2 10.
For three weeks Hanson had remained.
During this time he said that his boys
were resting and gaining strength after
their terrible ordeals in the untracked
jungles to the south but he had not been
as idle he appeared to have been. He
divided his small following into two par
ties, ntrusting the leadership of each to
men whom he believed that he could trust.
To them he explained his plans and the
rich reward that they would win from
him II they carried his designs to sue
cessful conclusion
One party he moved very slowly north
ward along the trail that connects with the
great caravan routes entering the Sahara
from the south. The other he ordered
straight westward with orders to halt and
go into permanent camp Just beyond the
great river which marks the natural boun-
dairy of the country that the big Bwana
rightfully considers almost his own.
To his host he explained that he was
moving his safar slowly toward the north
he said nothing of the party moving west
ward. Then, one day. he announced that
half his boys had deserted for a hunting
party from the bungalow had come across
his northerly camp and he feared that they
might have noticed the reduced numbers
of his following
And thus matters stood when one hot
night Meriem, unable to sleep, rose and
wandered out into the garden. The Hon.
Morrison had been urging his suit once
more that evening, and the girls mind was
in such a turmoil that she had been unable
to sleep.
! The wide heavens above her seemed to
promise greater freedom from doubt and
questioning. Baynes had urged her to tell
him that she loved him dozen times
she thought that she might honestly give
him the answer that he demanded
Korak was fast becoming but a memory.
That he was dead she had come to believe /.
since otherwise he would have sought her
out. She did not know that he had even
better reason to believe her dead, and that
1t was because of that belief he had made
| no effort to find her after his raid upon the
village of Kuvudoo.
Behind a great Towering shrub Hanson
lay gazing at the stars and waiting. He
had lain thus and there many nights be-
| fore. For what was he waiting, or for
| whom? He heard the girl approaching, and
| half raised himself to his elbow. A dozen
PAGES away, the reins looped over fence
| post, stood his pony.
Meriem. walking slowly. approached the
| bush behind which the waiter lay. Hanson
| drew a large bandana handkerchief from
his pocket and rose stealthily to his knees.
| pony neighed down at the corrals. Far
| out across the plain a lion roared. Hanson
changed his position until he squatted upon
| both feet.
Again the pony nelghed-this time closer.
| There was the sound of his body brushing
| against the shrubbery. Hanson heard, and
wondered how the animal had gotten from
| the corral: for 1t was evident that he was
| already in the garden The man turned
| his head in the direction of the beast.
What he saw sent him to the ground,
huddled close beneath the shrubbery-a
man was coming, leading two ponies.
Meriem heard now, and stopped to look
| and listen. A moment later the Hon. Mori-
son Baynes drew near, the two saddled
mounts at his heels.
Meriem looked up at him In surprise.
The Hon. Morrison grinned sheepishly.
'I couldn't Sleep" he explained, ''and was
| going for a bit of ride when chanced
| to see you out here, and thought you'd like
to join me. Ripping good sport you know,
night riding. Come on"
Meriem laughed. The adventure appealed
to her "An right" she said.
Hanson swore beneath his breath The
| two led their horses from the garden to the
| gate and through It. There they discovered
| Hanson's mount.
'cwhy, here's the traders pony" remark
| ed Baynes.
Hes probably down visiting with the
foreman" said Meriem.
Pretty late for him. isn't it7" remarked
| the Hon. Morrison. I'D hate to have to ride
back through that jungle at night TO his
/ camp"
| AS though to give weight to his appre-
| tensions the distant lion roared again. The
| Hon Morrison shivered and glanced at the
| girl to note the effect of the uncanny sound
upon her. She appeared not to have no
ticed It.
A moment later the two had mounted
| and were moving slowly across the moon
bathed plain. The girl turned her pony
head straight toward the jungle. 1t was in
the direction of the roaring OF the hungry
| lion.
Hadn't we better steer clear of that fel-
| low?" suggested the Hon. Morrison. II
| guess you didn't hear him"
| Yes, / heard him." laughed Meriem.
Lets ride over and call on him."
The Hon. Morrison laughed uneaslly. He
didn't care TO appear at disadvantage
before this girl. nor did he care, either, to
| approach hungry lion too closely at night,
| He carried his rifle in his saddle boot but
moonlight is an uncertain light to shoot by.
nor ever had he faced lion alone-even
by day The thought gave him a distinct
| nausea.
The beast ceased his roaring now. They
heard him no more, and the Hon, Morrison
| gained courage accordingly
They were riding down wind toward the
| Jungle The lion lay in little swale to
| their right He was old. For two nights
| he had not fed. for no longer was his charge
as swift or his spring as mighty as In the
| days of his prime, when ne spread terror
| among the creatures Of his wild domain
CONTINUED TOMORROW
oY, .TUAr IN IT