The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-12-04

From that height dangIed a Wire and
on its end hung a lantern. The man
lit 1t and showed her how 1t could be
carried TO any desired point on the
circumference of the room and hooked
there.
On one side stood a cot already
made up; beside 1t small camp chair.
On the other side was long hammock
chair and close to 1t stood a carved
tabouret piled high with books. Over
a small table hung foolish little
mirror. The walls were wainscoted
with woven mat of golden reeds
The place smelled clean. was clean.
Andrea had come into the room OBJ
sessed by a single idea, and that was
to determine the why and wherefore
of the covered passage leading to the
next hut. She failed to discover its
entrance until her companion drew her
attention to a door, wainscoted like
the walls but crossed by STURDY bar
pivoted at one end, the other sinking
into deep socket.
ut occurred to me-" said the man.
that perhaps you would be afraid al
night unless you were sure of help.
Listen" He raised the bar. and as
he did so the hidden door flew open
and gong sounded in the next hut.
1.-THE bar cannot be lifted from my
side OF course. he added.
Then he led her out through the
veran0a into her private garden and
pointcl 20 a quite new and tiny hut.
Your hath and washroom," he said.
You must have no water in the hut
you live in, not only because its floor
Is o. mud but principally on account
Of the mosquitoes"
"Live?" said Andrea. MY dear
White Man, you are mad. I'm not
going to live here, no matter how hor-
rihly I'm tempted by all this thought
fitness of yours and-care."
He looked questioningly at her face.
"Will you dine with me-" he ventured,
"at half past five7 It's the best hour
on account of daylight and only two
meals day. VIII you? After that
we II TAX II out"
Andrea nodded and dismissed him
with, "Tlll half after five, then"
Things had moved so fast through
the day that she had had no time to
mark more than their general course
Now she settled down to deliberate
survey. She went back In her mind
to Aunty Gwen, to her brothers and
to the public at large as represented
by the colony dance. She imagined
their CONSERVATION at her disappear
ance, visualized the efforts that even
ST this moment were being made TO
trace her and the full force of their
Inevitable futility.
The searchers would have nothing
to go on. There was only one chance
as far as she knew and that was
slim one. In the general excitement
the native whom the white man had
left behind might chatter his way into
sufficient prominence to get himself
called as a witness. But she set
small hope on such a solution. for the
last few hours had taught her that
the author of all her troubles was
more than White Man to those under
him-he was master.
Then her thoughts turned to the
man she was to have married. OF
course, and. whatever happened from
now on, that-deal--was off. She
puckered her brow. puzzled that such
a conclusion brought no great shock
with it. Last of all, she thought of
herself. What was the meaning Of
this day TO Andrea Pellor, to that girl
whom she had curiously watched,
studied and dreamed over during very
nearly quarter of century? I'M
consciously she faced the problem
from the standpoint into which she
had been bred alone--measured it by
the cold rule Of convention and so
ciety usage.
'.Pm done for" said Andrea to her
self. Yesterday / was a pearl of
great price In the marriage market,
and now everything In the way OF cash
that offers will come from the music
hallsl Your last day. Pellor." she
added aloud. giving deep significance
to the use of the old family name
alone. Her lips curled and her eyes
hardened rebelliously as she added
final murmur, "But it's been a hum
merw
"Scoff ready, Missis."
She jumped erect with a startled
cry.
ITO be continued.)