Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1920-06-04
CHAPTER xl.--contlnusd.

IL u
II nlled Andren with n p%relnonition
and brought her n desperate courage
She took on her hlsh-heeled slippers
aud climbed down several rungs OF the
ladder that led to her platform then
seating herself and getting Il good
kncc-grlp ON the limb, she leaned down
md gradually worked loose the cleat
below her. After that she took the next
above and then the next, deposltlng
each client rs she removed II In her
room.
No sooner had she finished, leaving
herself cut on from ensy access TO the
outside world but In compensation
having established n substantial OBJ
stncle 20 sudden assault from below.
thnn she wns nware of The Whispering,
whcezy sound OF heavy breathing. I'm
medlately afterward anne TO her dis
tended n%ostrlls nm overpoworlng odor
Of gin, nnuseatlngly sweet and sour nj
the same time. She looked down into
the shadowy gloom aud saw MacClos-
ter's bulk moving slowly upward, rung
by rung, ench movement as deliberate
and repulslvc MS that Of n giant sloih.
Gripping one of THE looscned clcats
In her right hand, she knelt on the
edge OF the platform nnd watched
breathlessly his progress. When he
cnme to the break IN the ladder his
hairy paws CROPPED helplessly for n mo-
mcnt only; then they embraced the
tree-trunk and he began to swarm up
the cnsy slant. "Wnltlng up for me,
dearle?" he whispered.
Andrea suppressed nm instructive
impulse to fly before his advance, all
the more terrifying because II wns 50
deliberate. Her face went white. her
eyes narrowed, but her lips set In n
straight line ms she waited. trying her
best to quiet her excited breathing lest
II betray her pltlful agitation. She
measured the distance between the
edge O the platform and those slowly
sliding hands. Only when they got 50
close that she could see the mist OF
fine yellow hair OF them did she strike
first 1T one and then ut the other, and
not with the edge of the cleat, but
with the three jagged nails that pro.
truded from It's hit side.
with Il below OF rage Manchester
snatched back his pierced hands, trust
ing to the grip of his knees. Andren
clutched tho clent tightly. leaned for
ward ana struck him across the side
of the head with all her strength. II,
lost his balance and fell. She henrt
his body crashing from limb TO llml
until II landed with n terrific thud ~
soine platform far below. Up from thu
depths came II liquid stream Of curses
he could no longer below, he wa
whining with the rage that means e
kill.
Andrea sank back and covered II
the corner Of her hOvcl, She wa
through that Inst blow had drained
her of all energy and courage, she wa
10 longer conscious of n desire TO live
Her head rang with Incredible sounds
Ilnllucinution tortured her and eve
brought to her longing ears The tni
AWAY huin Of Trevor's nirplane mOtoi
So VIVA was her imagination TINT tn
hum grew louder ana louder, ns
would nave done In reality, ana hnnll
nttnlned n stnccntO roar. She smile
wlstfully, her face llumlned by all til
love Of the White Man which she ha
hidden under n mask Of nlppnncy hu
which. now thut hope was dead, pr'
claimed itself frankly aud seemed I
be- trying to rock her TO comfort an
oblivion.
Suddenly 4 terrific ripping cras
above her hend tore through her nulnl
ed senses and brought her %staggerir
to her feet. The whole monster stru
ture of the Gaia swnyed aud bent 4
though n had been struck 10y n torn
TO-. strong limbs creaked and crackt
with repurts like pistol shots and
shower OF leuves fell with Il full
click clicking that could be distinct.
heard rs II through the lnterstices
the general ana grosser commotio
The rouring of the alrrlane that 81
had thought an Authorization sudden
,rlsed. Presently smoke, penrl-gru
begun TO seep through the thntch
the roof.
Andrea cnme fully TO her senses al
cnlled In n clenr, high voice I'm lei
white Man, I'm here. White NAV
She repeated the cry stendily az sho
Intervals until he shouted an answ'
Following the sound of his voice, h
eyes caught the CLEAN of his huntll
kuife. knocking q way through 4
thntch nnd when, finally his feet Wr
thrust through the Opcu!ng, she SELF