The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-07-23
In Tropics

Light had settled down upon the VIII
| loge of old Panama. Through the viii
+ lage, with a hollow, ghostly sound, a
tom-tom beat. 1t was sundown and
u ihe prayer to the gods was on. Soon
thc moon rose and revealed the dane
q crs-men, women and children whirl-
N ing round and round, painted in Wild
9 pigments.
The music shrieked; quicker, quick
er whrled the worshlpers. Then a
long vail FROM the reed pipes, the Wild
3 funaiica ring fell into time again. The
unearthly music slowed down as
though gathering strength for another
outburst OF sound
In the distant camp two American
soldiers were sleeping. The eldest Of
The two awoke, sat UP and rubbed his
y eyes. Then he awakened his compan-
ion. II was dinner time; they had ta-
ken little nap after their long morn
ings ride.
Presently the music died down, one
by one the dancers departed and the
two soldiers, having cleared away their
soilcd dishes after scanty repast,
began a friendly conversation.
"Well, I've had my frstr-and / think
my only ventured AIcCraig "ny first
real love affair at last" he breathed
with sigh Then his companion,
Dick Warsworth, began to jlbe him.
Bur AcCraig was firm.
ITS no kidding Dick; I'm serious
It's got me All broken up"
"Then why the dickens don't you
marry the girl?7 teased Dick. "YoulI
be home in few weeks"
THAT'S 1t exactly Hal McCraig
broke in suddenly. Il can't, boy;
simply can't-and yet want to, or,
don't you understand, don't you know
whom l mean--its Juanita, little Jul
anita"
Dick sat rigid. Neither uttered one
word until Dick, having sufficiently
recovered from the shock, spoke
"Why Hal, old boy, come out of
it. You must be mad Don't you
know the girl has colored blood in
her? What are you thinking of, and
your family back homer
For reply Harrison McCraig
breathed a heavy sigh ard ran his
long, bony fingers through his massive
brown curly hair
"I know it, he said simply.
Then he arose, stretching himself
like a great gaunt shadow in the semi
darkness. The two boys nodded good
night and went off to their hunks.
Early the next morning according
10 orders from headquarters, the
whole camp began packing their kits
for the return trip back North.
Hal and his companion ambled aim
lessly down the central avenue 10 the
shops. Their DOORS opened wide, were
as though gaspng for a breath Of air
70 cool the flaming bandannas strewn
over the counters. Dick purchased ,
some of the bright bits Of silk, togeth-
er with a finely-woven Panama hat
una was all prepared for his homeward /
journey.
When they came to Coconut Palm
boulevard Hal looked at Dick mean
ngiy, and the slight nod Of his head
meant more than words could posi-
bly, tell.
"All right, old boy, I'll go down with
you, but please remember your family
above az things" Dick said BY way
Of caution.
The two boys strolled On until they
came to a tiny whte shack oyerrun
with tropical We, dure to uch an extent
chat Hal could sca ely 6nd the knock
" on the door
III second Juanita stood in the
open doorway. q bunch Of fresh lotus
flowers Ia her arm.
1T ecs SO good Of you to come" she
said by way of greeting, ana with a
graceful wave Of her little brown hand
Sic molioned the two boys into the
adjoining room, whore they seated
thems lives on q bamboo settee.
Inanita was beauty, Dick could
nog help but confess it. though SCI
efeuy. Her soft brown eyes sparkled
aud danced with animation, and the
flash Of her strong white teeth against
the scarlet Of her lips was refreshing
She wasn't 50 dark-skinned, either
Dick mused to himself; nor had she
The features of a negress; and yet
well, it certainly was too bad for Hats
sake.
When Juanita's parents had enterea
and been introduced to Dick Hal hay
ing met them during his previous Yis-
lis to the cabin, Hal sprang the news
"Well, we're going back in few
days" he said, "qnd 1 hate like the
dickens TO go. Seems as though | can
never get used to the cold northern
winter again" he added slowly
Juanitas eyes opened wide with sur
r,,iao tha, inst as Suddenly her cX-