The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-11-08

lit il and showed her how it 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 it a small camp chair
On the other side was a long hammock
chair, and close to it stood a carved
tabouret piled high with books over
a small table hung a foolish little
mirror. The walls were WainScOted
with Il woven mat of golden reeds
The place smeIled 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 IKE
the walls but crossed by Il sturdy bar
pivoted at one end, the other sinking
into a deep socket.
ut occurred to me-" said the man,
that perhaps you would be afraid at
night unless you were sure of help.
Listen" He raised the bar. and as
he did 50 the hidden door flew open
and a gong sounded in the next hut.
''The bar cannot be lifted from my
/ side of course he added.
Then he led her out through the
veranda into her private garden ana
pointed to a quite new and tiny hut.
Your bath and washroom,' he said
you must have no water in the hui
YOU live in, not only because its floor
is of mud but principally on account
of the mosquitoes"
Live" said Andrea. MY dear
White Man. you are mad. I'm MOI
going to live here, no matter how nor
ribIy I'm tempted by all this thought
fulness of yours and-care."
He looked questioningly at her face
"Will you dine with me" he ventured
"at half past five? It's the best hour
on account of daylight and only two
meals a day. viii you? After thai
we'll talk it out"
Andrea nodded and dismissed hin.
with, "Till 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
| or 1or oC rnnrpCpntpG
by the colony dance. She imagined
their CONSERVATION at her disappear
ance. visualized the efforts that even
at this moment were being made to
trace her and the full force of their
inevitable futility.
The searchers would have nothing
to 90 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
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 CIR
whom she had curiously watched
studied and dreamed over during very
nearly a quarter of a century? I'm
consciously she faced the problem
from the standpoint into which she
had been bred alone-measured 1t by
the cold rule of convention and so
ciety usage.
.Pm done for" said Andrea to her
self. yesterday | was pearl OF
great price in the marriage market
and now everything in the way of casl
that offers will come from the music
halls! 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 6
, final murmur, but it's been hum
mer!'
"Scoff ready, Missis."
She jumped erect with startled
cry.
"Plenty hungry, eh?" said Bathtul
, with his usual grin Of pride at his
mowers of deduction.