Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-09-05
CHAPTER xI-contInued.

Meriem was all expectancy. What
would these strangers be like2 Would
they be as nice to her as had Bwana
and My Dear, or would they be like
the other white folk she had known
cruel and relentless7 My Dear assured
her that they all were gentlefolk and
that she would find them kind, consid-
crate and honorable.
At'last the visitors arrived. There
were three men and two women-the
wives Of the two older men. The
youngest member Of the party was
Hon. Morrison Baynes, young man
Of considerable wealth, who, having
exhausted all the possibilities for pleas
ure offered by the capitals of Europe,
had gladly seized upon this opportu-
nifty to turn to another continent for
excitement and adventure.
Nature had favored him with splen-
did physique and handsome face and
also with sufficient good judgment to
appreciate that, while he might enjoy
the contemplation of his superiority to
the masses. there was little likelihood
of the masses being equally entranced
by the same cause. And SO he easily
maintained the reputation Of being a
most democratic and likable fellow,
and, indeed, he was likable. Just
shade Of his egotism was occasionally
apparent-never sufficient to become a
burden to his associates.
And this, briefly, was the Hon. Mori-
son Baynes of luxurious European CIV
ilization. What would be the Hon.
Morrison Baynes Of central Africa 1t
were difficult to guess.
Meriem at first was shy and reserved
IN the presence Of strangers. Her
benefactors had seen fit to ignore men,
ton Of her strange past. and so she
passed as their ward, whose anteced-
ents. not having been mentioned, were
not to be inquired into. The guests
found her sweet and unassuming
laughing, vivacious and a never-ex'
hausted storehouse of quaint and in
teresting jungle lore.
The Hon. Morrison Baynes found
Meriem a most beautiful and charm
Ing companion. He was delighted witt
her from the first, particularly so
II is possible. because he had no
thought to find companionship Of THU
sort upon the African estate Of hi
London friends. They were togethe
great deal. as they were the only un
married couple In the little company.
Meriem. entirely unaccustomed to tn
cOmpanionship Of such as Baynes. wa
fascinated by him. His tales Of tn
ereat, gay cities with which he was ia
miliar filled her with admiration ant
with wonder. II the Hon. Morrison al
ways shone to advantage In these mar
ratives, Meriem saw In that fact blu
natural consequence to his presenc
upon the scene Of his story. Wher
ever Morrison might be he must be
hero. SO thought the girl.
With the actual presence and com
panionship Of the young Englishmal
the image Of Korak became less real
Where before It had been an actualit
10 her. she now realised that K0ra
was but q memory. To that memor
she still was loyal. But what weigh
has a memory In the presence OF q TAI
cinating reality1
And presently she found the feature
of Korak slowly dissOlving and meri
ing into those of another, and the III
IRE Of q tanned. half-naked Tarmar
pani became a khaki-clothed and stu
DIV Englishman astride hunting pom!
The Hon. Morrison Baynes was 81
ting with Meriem upon the verand
one evening after the others had r.
tired. Earlier they had been playin
tennis, a game in which the Hol
Morrison shone to advantage, as,
truth, he did in most all manly sport
He was telling her stories OF Londc
and Paris, Of balls and banquets'
the wonderful women and their wo
derful gowns, of the pleasures al
pastimes of the rich and powerful.
Meriem was entranced. His tai
were like fairy stories to this ntt
Jungle maid. The Hon. Morrison looi