The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-11-19

Andrea had come into the room oD-
SesScd by Il single idea, and that was
to determine the why and wherefore
Of the covered passage leading to the
next hut. She failed to discover It's
entrance until her companion drew her
attention to Il door, wainscoted like |
the walls but crossed by sturdy bar
pivotcd at one end, the other sinking |
into deep socket.
"It occurred to me-" said the man,
"that perhaps you would be afraid Mt
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.
'"The Var cannot be lifted from my
side OF course" he added.
ThcE he led her out through the
verand& into her private garden ahd
ponicd to II quite new and tiny hut.
"Your b?ih and washroom," he said.
"Xou lnust have no water in the nut
you live in, not only because its door
IS Of mud but principally on accom-.
Of tho mosquitoes"
"Live? said Andrea. "hIy denc
White Man, you are mad. I'm not
going to live here. no matter how hor-
ribly I'm tempted by al thi" Thought
fulness OF yours and-care."
| He looked quc%;tioningly at her face.
"Will you dine with me-" he yenturcd,
''at half past five? It's the best hour
on account Of daylight and only two
meals q day. VIII you? After that
well talk 1t, out"
Andrea nodded and dismissed him
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 a deliberate
survey. She went back in her mind
to Aunty Gwen, to her brothers and
to the public ut large as represented
by the colony dance. She imagined
their CONSERVATION at her disappear
ancc visualiZcd the efforts that even
at this moment were being made to
trace her and the full force Of their
inevitable futllty.
The scarchers would have nothing
to go on. There was only one chance
rs far as she knew and that was n
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 witness. But she set
, small hope on such q solution, for the
last few hours had taught her that
the author OF all her troubles was
more than White Man to those under
t | him--he was master.
( | Then her thoughts turned to the
= man she was to have married. Ol
. course, and whatever happened from
\ now on, thnt-deal-was Off. Sht
Y puckcrcd her brow, puzzled that sucf
8 conclusion brought no great shocl
n with it. Last Of all, she thought o
s herself What was the meaning o
d this day to Andrea Pcllor to that CIR
8 whom she had curiously watched
g studied and dreamed over during yer.
nearly quarter of century? Un
!. consciously She faced the problem
D from the standpoint into which sh
|. had been bred alonc-mcasurcd 1t b.
;a the cold rule Of convention and sc
It ccty usage.
o "pm done for" said Andrea to hel
d self. yesterday / was pearl c
a great price in the marriage marke
" and now everything in the way OF cas-
II that offers will come from the musi
A. halls! Your last day, pellor." sll
70 added aloud, giving deep sgnificano
n. to the use of the old family nam
Is alone. Her lips curlcd and her eye
t. hardened rcbelliously as she added
d final murmur, "But It's been hun
to mer!'
k. "Scoff ready, Missls."
I'd She jumped erect with q startle
IN cry.
De "Plenty hungry, eh?" said Bahtr
le with his usual grin Of pride at h
ed powers Of deduction.
"Tell your master that shall con
ly in ten minutes" she said, watched hi
ir. go and closed the door after hil
ck Then she turned and hurried to Il
ed little mirror on the wall. She fush
er with anger as she looked at herse
lie The excitement coupled with the he
ed had made her forget her inappropria
Is garb.
She rehung the looking glass al