Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-08

What was the story that the faded type
told Of it7
Meriem was baffled by the puzzle that
her search for ammunition had revealed
She stood gazing at the faded photograph
for time and then bethought herself OF
the ammunition for which she had come
Turning again TO the box, she rummaged
to the bottom, and there in a corner she
came upon little box of cartridges.
A single glance assured her that they
were intended for the weapon she had
thrust inside the band of her riding
breeches; and slipping them into her pocket
she turned once more for an examination
of the baffling likeness Of herself that she
held in her hand.
As she stood thus In vain endeavor to
fathom. this inexpllcable mystery the sound
of voices broke upon her ears. Instantly
she was all alert. They were coming
closer A second later she recognized the
lurid profanity of the swede. Malbihn was
returningl
Meriem ran quickly to the opening OF the
tent and looked out 1t was too late! She
was fairly cornered! The white man and
three of his black henchmen were coming
straight across the clearing toward the tent.
What was she to do?
She thrust the photograph into her waist.
Quickly she slipped cartridge into each
of the chambers of the revolver. Then she
backed toward the end Of the tent, keeping
the entrance covered by her weapon
The men stopped outside. and Meriem
could hear Malbihn profanely Issuing in
structions. He was a long time about 1t.
and while he talked in his bellowish. british
voice, the girl sought some avenue of
escape.
STOPPING, she raised the bottom of the
canvas and looked beneath and beyond.
There was no one in sight upon that side
Throwing herself upon her stomach, she
wormed beneath the tent wall, just as Nal.
bihn, with final word to his men. entered
the tent.
Meriem heard him cross the floor, and
then she rose and, STOPPING low. ran to a
native hut directly behind. Once inside this,
she turned and glanced back. There was no
one in sight. She had not been SEEN
And now from Malbihn's tent she heard
a great cursihg. The Swede had discovered
the rhing of his box. He was shouting
to his men. and as she heard them reply
Meriem darted from the hut and ran to.
ward the edge of the bona furthest from
Mabihn's tent.
Overhanging the bona at this point was
a tree that had been too large, in the eyes
of the rest.loving blacks, to cut down So
they had terminated the bona just short
of 1t.
Meriem was thankful for whatever cir.
cumstance had resulted in the leaving of
that particular tree where II was, since Il
gave ner the muCn-needeu avenue or escape
which she might not otherwise have had.
From her hiding place she cav Malbihn
enter the jungle again, this time leaving a
guard of three of his boys in the camp. He
went toward the south, and after he had
disappeared Merem skirted the outside Of
the inclosure and made her way to the
river.
Here lay the canoes that had been used
In bringing the party from the opposite
shore. They were unwieldy things for
lone girl to handle; but there was no other
way, and she must cross the river
The landing place was in full view of the
guard at the camp To risk the crossing
under their eyes would have meant un.
doubted capture, Her only hope lay in
waiting until darkness had fallen, unless
some fortuitous circumstance should arise
before
For an hour she lay watching the guard
one of whom seemed always in a position
where he would discover her should she
attempt to launch one of the canoes.
Presently Malbihn appeared. coming out
of the jungle, hot and putting. He ran i'm.
mediately to the river where the canoes