Washington telegraph., 1919-12-12

table was a hand sewing machine ana
from eorner-to-corner post swung o
hammocs. She had to stOOp very low
TO enter the hut itself, and once within
had to wait a long time for her sun
| filled eyes TO accustom themselves to
the kindly gloom. The man grew inn
patient and struck a match. BY its
light Andrea saw a vision OF comfort
The room was circular and unceiled
so that one could look up and up into
the very depths OF its tapering peak.
From that height dangled a wire and
on its end hung a lantern. The man
III IL and showed her how Il 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 long hammock
chair, and close TO II stood carved
tabouret piled high with books. Over
a small table hung foolish little
mirror. The walls were wainsco,ed
with a 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 a deep socket.
1T occurred 10 me-" said the man,
chat perhaps you would be afraid at
night unless you were sure Of help.
Listen" He raised the bar, and a.
he did so the hidden door few open
and n gong sounded in the next hut
"rhe bar cannot be lifted from my
side of course" he added.
Then he led her out through the
veranda into her private garden and
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
Liver" said Andrea. my dear
White Man, you are mad. I'm not
going to live here, no matter how hor.
ribly 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 aver It's the best hour
on account Of daylight and only two
meals a day. VIII you? After that
We'll talk it OUT
Andrea nodded and dismissed him
with, "rifi 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 at large as represented
by the colony dance. She imagined
their CONSERVATION at her disappear
ance, visualized the efforts that even
at this moment were being made ia
trace her and the full force OF their
inevitable futillty.
The searchers would have nothing
TO go, on. There was only one chance
as far as she knew and that was a
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 n witness. But she set
small hope on such n 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-wus off. She
puckered her brow, puzzled that such
n conclusion brought no great shock
with 1t. 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 a quarter of a century? IN
consciously she faced the problem
from the standpoint into which she
had been bred nlone-measured II by
the cold rule Of convention and so.
ciety usage.
"I'm done for" said Andrea to her
self. Yesterday l was pearl of
great price in the marriage market,
and now everything in the way of cash
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 a
final murmur. but it's been a hum.
merl"
"Seoff ready, Missls."
She Jumped erect with a startled
cry.
"Plenty hungry, eh?' said Bathtab
with his usual grin Of pride at his
powers of deduction.