The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-01-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
Najla's Pretense and What Came of II.

A Ii SINGH'S hypnotic influence
"a over his niece was weakening.
N He did not know it, but the
subconscious revolt In the girls
soul was an ever active agent in sap
ping his power. She herself became
aware OF the fact and hailed 1t gladly.
But she took the utmost care to con-
ceal any hint Of growing deliverance
from that hateful thraldom. By main
tanning a rigid control over each look
and gesture she actually managed to
deceive Ali Singh's basilisk scrutiny
no less than the jealous watchfulness
of Katisha.
Thus she was compelled to simulate
Joy when her very heart was torn with
apprehension. Her lips had to be
wreathed in smiles when they were
quivering with fear.
When Ahmed. the young Turk, in
trusted by Ali Singh with the convey
ance Of that thrice precious formula,
returned to his master dhe man was a
first rate swimmer and had lodged the
police boats by long sustained dives
she overheard his explanation and real
lied that Ali Singh well knew to whom
was owing this serious discontinue OF
one of his most important projects.
She gathered, too. the nature of the re-
venge planned forthwith by the master
fiend.
Hong Kong Harry and Ahmed were
intrusted with its execution, the one
being spurred on by the hope of ex-
terminating a rival and the other by
burning desire to wipe out failure
for which he was not really RESPONSE
BILE. Then Malta realized the fate in
store for Manning and was forced to
face problem which many an unhap-
py woman is called on to solve--Was
her love so great that she would sacri-
flee herself In order to save the loved
one?
She was present when All Singh ex-
planned to his assassins the action Of
the Internal machine which he had de-
vised for the Staying Of Manning
Fearing lest some incautious word or
| look might betray her secret, the girl
| withdrew to an ante-chamber screened
| from the laboratory by heavy curtains
| There she waited to make herself ac-
quainted with the fiendish plot and. In
the extremity of her distress, conceiv-
ed the thought that Hong Kong Harry
| at least might be suborned from his
| CHASTITY mission.
She took the earliest opportunity Of
meeting him privately. Concealing her
| detestation Of the man. she placed
timid hand on his arm and gazed up
pathetically into his wondering face.
| Harry" she said brokenly. you
have often told me-thnt you loved me-
Well, I'm inclined to trust you
| He threw his arms around her and
drew her close.
"Do you mean that?" he whispered
in ecstasy.
For the first time she permitted him
to embrace her.
| "Yes." she crooned. This time
promise .irrevocably to he yours But
you must prove your love- Margaret
Bronson is my one true friend In all
the world She Is engaged to Man
ming. and they would have been mar
ried now were II not for her fathers
death: If anything happens to him It
will kill her. You must save him.
Warn him Of this plot, and take care
that he escapes. and I am yours for
| ever"
Hong Kong Harry's sallow features
blanched with fear He well knew the
penalty OF any fresh failure in his
fealty to All Singh. Yet he was de-
lirious with JOY at NaJla's surrender
He felt her swaying in his arms. and,
lifting her head tenderly. he kissed her
on the lips. Then. afraid lest Katisha
or some other OF All Singh's cohort of
spies might have seen this love making.
he turned and ran.
That evening when the hour fixed for
the attempt on Manning's life was