Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-09-19
CHAPTER XIV.
A Tryst 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, lending 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.
I'VE had better hurry" continued
Hanson, "for Wen have to move along
pretty fast If we don't want to be
overtaken."
SIS he badly hurt 2" asked Meriem.
"Only a 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 a mile
and then turned straight into 1t toward
| the west. Meriem, following, paid lit
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 a second time until,
in the heat of the day, he stopped and
motioned the girl to dismount
I'VE will sleep here for time and
let the ponies Craze" he said.
81 had no idea the camp was SO far
away" said Meriem.
II left orders that they were to move
on at daybreak," explained the trader,
80 that we could get good start.
knew that you and l could easily over
take a laden safari. 1t may not be
until tomorrow that Well catch up
with them"
But, though they travelled part of the
night and all the following day, no
| CT Of col 70 al 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 spoor-
very old spoor-of many men. For
the most part they followed this we'll
marked trail along elephant paths and
through parkllke groves. 1t was an
ideal trail for rapid travelling.
E Meriem at last became suspicious.
her side had begun to change Often
: she surprised him devourlng 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 hue
), commenced to cover his neck and
cheeks and chin. and with 1t the as
surance that he was no stranger con
tinued to grow upon the girl.
q 1t was not until the second day, how
!, ever, that Meriem rebelled. She drew
In her pony at last and voiced hel
: doubts. Hanson assured her that tn,
camp was but few miles farther on
. 1t was midafternoon when they sud
8 denly broke out Of the jungle upon tn
banks Of broad and placid river. Be
;, You'd, upon the opposite shore, Metien
!. deserted camp surrounded by higl
= thorn bona.
, (To BE CoNTINUED)