Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1920-05-07

tree in which Jane clayton CrOuCheL'
painting and trembling. 1t was almost
dark before he finally quit the clear
ing, and even had his place beside the
remnants of the mangled ape not been
Immediately usurped by a pack Of
hyenas, Jane Clayton would scarcely
have dared venture from her refuge in
the face of impending night
Tired nature at last overcame even
her fears, and she dropped into a deep
slumber Graded in a comparatively
safe. though rather uncomfortable, DO
sition against the bole Of the tree, and
supported by two large branches which
grew outward, almost horizontally, but
a few inches apart.
The sun was high in the heavens
when she at last awoke, and beneath
her was no sign either Of Numa or the
hyenas. Both hunger and thirst as
sailed her now, and realizing that she
must descend or die of starvation, she
at last summoned courage to under
take the ordeal of continuing her jour
ney through the jIngle.
Descending from the tree, she set
out in a southerly direction, toward
the point where she believed the plains
of Wazirl lay, and though she knew
that only ruin and desolatiOn marked
the spot where once her happy home
had stood, she hoped that by coming
to the broad plain she might eventual
liz reach one of the numerous Wazir
villages that we're scattered over the
surrounding country, or chance upon
rowing band of these indefatigable
huntsmen.
The day was half spent when there
broke unexpectedly upon her startled
ears the sound Of a rifle shot not far
ahead Of her. AS she paused to listen,
this first shot was followed by another
and another, What could 1t mean!
As the firing became less rapid she
caught the sound Of mems voices,
though she could distinguish no words,
and she heard two men calling to each
other in loud tones. Then there was a
long silence which was finally broken
by the stealthy padding Of footballs on
the trail ahead of her, and In another
moment a man appeared in view back
ing toward her, a rifle in his hands
and his eyes directed in careful watch
fitness along the way that he had
come.
Almost instantly Jane Clayton rec
ognized the man as NJ. Jules Frecoult
who so recently had been guest In
her home. She was upon the point Of
calling to him in glad relief when she
saw him leap quickly to one side and
hide himself in the thick Yerdure at
the trails side 1t was evident that he
was being followed by an enemy, and
so Jane Clayton kept silence, lest she
distract Frecoult's attention, or guide
his foe to his hiding place,
Scarcely had Trecoult hidden him
self than the figure Of a white-robed
Arab crept silently along the trail in
pursuit From her hiding place, Jane
Clayton could see both men plainly.
She recognized Achmet Eek as the
leader Of the rufIians who had ralded
her home and made her a prisoner,
and as she saw Frecoult the supposed
friend and ally, raise his gun and take
careful aim at the Arab, her heart
stood still and every power Of her soul
was directed upon a feyent prayer for
the accuracy of his aim.
Achmet Eek paused in the middle Of
the trail. His keen eyes scanned every
bush and tree within the radius Of his
vision, His tall figure presented a per
feet target to the perhdlous assassin,
There was a sharp report, and little
puff of smoke arose from the bush
that hid the Belgian, as Achmet Eek
stumbled forward and pitched, face
down, upon the trail.
As Werper stepped back into the
trail, he was startled by the sound Of
a glad cry from above him, ana as he
wheeled about to discover the author
of this unexpected interruption, he
saw Jane Clayton drop lightly from a
nearby tree and run forward with out
stretched hands to congratulate him
upon his victory.
If the Belgian had entertained any
doubts as to the woman's knowledge
of his part in the perfdious attack
upon her home and herself, it was
quickly dlssipated by the genuine
friendship of her greeting. She told
him quickly of all thar had befallen
her since he had departed from her
home, and as she spoke Of the death
Of her husband her eyes were yelled
by the tears which she could not re-
press.
81 am shocked" said Weper, in
wcll-slmulated sympathy; but l am
not surprised. That devil there" and
he pointed toward the body Of Achmet
Eek, "has terrorized the entire coun-
try Your Wazin are either exrer,
minated, or have been driven out Of
their country, far to the south. Our
only hope lies in travelling northWard
as rapidly as we may, of coming to the
camp of the raiders before the llnowl-
edge of Achmet Zek's death reaches
those who were left there, and of OBJ,
tanning, through some ruse, an escort
toward the north, 1t is our only hope
Lady Greystobe, and you must place
your entire faith in me if l am to sue,
coed. Wait foF me here a moment
while I take from the Arabs body the
valet that he stole from me-" and