Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-13
CHAPTER XIV.
A Trvst by Proxy,

ATryst by Proxy.
Hanson and his boy had ridden d. !
rectly to the clearing. 1t was already
dark when they arrived. Leaving the
boy there, Hanson rode to the edge Of
the plain, leading the boys horse.
There he waited. 1t was nine o'clock
before he saw solitary figure gallop-
ing toward him from the direction of
the bungalow. A few moments later
Meriem drew in her mount beside him.
She was nervous and flushed.
When she recognized Hanson she
drew back, startled.
"Mr. Baynes' horse fell on him and
sprained his ankle" Hanson FASTENED
to explain. HE couldn't very well
come, so he sent me to meet you and
bring you to camp"
The girl could not see in the dark
ness the gloating, triumphant express
sion on the speakers face.
Eve had better hurry" continued
Hanson, "for we'll have to move along
pretty fast If We don't want to be
overtakenI"
as he badly hurt?' asked Meriem.
"Only little sprain," replied Han
son. HE can ride all right, but We
both thought he'd better lie up tonight
and rest, for he'll have plenty hard
| riding in the next few weeks"
"Yes," agreed the girl.
/ Hanson swung his pony about, and
Meriem followed him. They rode north
along the edge of the jungle for mile
and then turned straight into 1t toward
: the west. Meriem. following, paid 1T
| tie attention to directions. She did not
know exactly where HansOn's camp
lay, and so she did not guess that he
was not leading her toward it.
All night they rode straight toward
the west. When morning came Han
son permitted short halt for break
fast, which he had provided in we'll
filled saddlebags before leaving his
camp. Then they pushed on again,
nor did they halt second time until,
in the heat of the day, he stopped and
motioned the girl to dismOunt.
1--WE will sleep here for time and
let the ponies Craze" he said.
II had no idea the camp was so far
away" said Meriem.
81 left orders that they were to move
on at daybreak," explained the trader
80 that we could get good start.
knew that you and could easily over.
take a laden saf1ri. 1t may not be
until tomorrow that We'll catch up
with them"
But, though they Travelled part of the
night and all the following day, nc
sign of the safari appeared ahead OF
them. Meriem, an adept in jungle
craft. knew that none had passed ahead
of them for many days. Occasionally
she saw indications of an old spaor-
q very old spoor-of many men. Fol
the most part they followed this we'll
marked trail along elephant paths AND
through parklike groves. 1t was ar
ideal trail for rapid travelling.
Meriem at last became suspicious
Gradually the attitude Of the man Al
her side had begun to change. Often
; she surprised him devouring her with
his eyes.
Steadily the former sensation of pre-
vious acquaintanceship urged Itself
upon her. Somewhere, some time be
fore she had known this man. 1t was
evident that he had not shaved fol
several days. A blond stubble had
commenced to cover HIS neck ant
cheeks and chin, and with it the as
surance that he was no stranger con
tinued to grow upon the girl.
1t was not until the second day, how
ever that Merfem rebelled. She drew
in her pony at last and voiced he
doubts. Hanson assured her that tn
camp was but few miles farther on
It was midafternoon when they sud
! denly broke out q the jungle upon tn
banks of broad ana placid river. BE
yond, upon the opposite shore. Merfen
deserted a camp surrounded by hig
! thorn bona.
!, "Here we are at hast" said Hanson
He drew his revolver and fired In tn
: air. Instantly the camp across the ri'
e er was astlr. Black men ran down (
|, the rivers bank Hanson hailed then
. But there was no sign Of the Hor
l. Morrison Baynes.
0 In accordance with their masters II
= structions the blacks manned cano
r and rowed across. Hanson placed NJ
e riem In the little craft and entered
l. himself, leaving two boys to watch tn
{. horses, which the canoe was to retur
for and swim across to the camp sic
= of the river.
!. Once In the camp Meriem asked Il
n Baynes. For fhe moment her fea
# had been allayed by the sight of Il
n caMR, Nhisk aAa bad IaiaA- ~ N