The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-01-04

accentuating the SQualid hideOuSneSS
of the white mans pioneer architec-
ture.
The boy, leaning over the rail, was
looking far beyond the man-made town,
deep into the God-made jungle. A lit
tie SILVER Of anticipation tingled his
spine, and then, quite without volition,
he found himself mentally gazing into
the loving eyes Of his mother and the
strong face Of the father which mir
rored beneath its masculine strength
love no less than the mothers eyes
proclaimed. He felt himself weakened
In his resolve.
The task Of lowering the boys
grandmother over the side to a waiting
canoe was rather difficult. The lad in
sisted on being always at her side,
and when at last she was safely en-
sconced in the bottom Of the craft that
was to bear them shOreward her grand
son dropped catlike after her.
So interested was he in seeing her
comfortably disposed that he failed to
observe the little package that had
worked from his pocket as he assisted
In lowering the sling that contained
the old woman over the steamers side,
nor did he notice 1t even as 1t slipped
out entirely and dropped into the sea.
Scarcely he'd the boat containing the
hoy ana the old woman started for the
shore than Conlon hailed a canoe ON
the other side Of the ship and after
bargaining with Its owner finally low
cred his baggage and himself aboard.
Once ashore he kept out Of sight Of
the two story atrocity that bore the
legend "hotel" to lure unsuspecting
wayfarers to its many discomforts.
1t was quite dark before he ventured
to enter and arrange for accommoda-
lions.
In back room upon the second floor
the lad was explaining not without
considerable difficulty to his grand
mother that he had decided to return
to England upon the next steamer. He
was endeavoring to make 1t plain to
the old lady that she might remain in
Africa If she wished, but that for his
part his conscience demanded that he
return to his father and mother, who
doubtless were even now suffering un-
told sorrow because Of his absence,
from which 1t may be assumed that
his parents had not been acquainted
with the plans that he and the old lady
had made for their adventure into
African wildS.
Having come to q decision, the lad
felt a sense Of relief from the worry
that had haunted him for many sleep
less nights. When he closed his eyes
in sleep 1t was to dream Of happy
reunion with those at home, and as he
dreamed, Fate. cruel and inexorable,
crept stealthily upon him through the
dark corridor Of the sQualid building
In which he slept-Fate tn the form OF
the American crook Conlon.
Cautiously the man approached the
door of the lads room. There he
crouched, listening, until assured Dy
the regular breathing Of those within
that both slept.
Quietly he inserted slim skeleton
key In the lock Of the door. With deft
fingers, long accustomed to the silent
manipulation of the bars and bolts that
guarded other mems property, Conlon
turned the key and the knob simulta-
neOusly. Gentle pressure upon the door
swung 1t slowly inward upon Its
hinges. The man entered the room,
closing the door behind him.
The moon was temporarily overcast
by heavy clouds. The interior Of the
apartment was shrouded In gloom.
Conlon CROPPED his way toward the bed.
In the far corner Of the room some
thing moved-moved with a silent
stealthiness which transcribed even
the trained silence of the burglar.
Conlon heard nothing. His attention
was riveted upon the bed, in which he
thought to find q young boy and his
helpless, invalid grandmother.
The American sought only the bank
roll. II he could possess himself Of
this without detection, well and good,
but were he to meet resistance he was
prepared for that too. The lads