Washington telegraph., 1920-03-05
CHAPTER xIII.-cOntinued.
ID

] 10
"No need to-" said Trevor brislSly
1--WE got these three missionary chaps
here for witnesses to the fact that we
went up in perfectly good faith, that
was forced TO a bad landing and got
fearfully cut up and burned and that
| was only just backing out of deaths
door when they turned up and found
you intact"
"Why, White Mani" exclaimed An
drea, show could you get them to tell
that awful lieT
Easily answered Trevor promptly.
''They wouldn't know it was lie. You
see, these missionary chaps will still
believe a native; they can't afford to
cOncede the immutable fact that a
black consistently makes only one
constant effort in his life-an effort to
give always the answer that he thinks
it will please you most to hear. Why,
l don't even have to fix it up with my
people. You'd believe the lie yourself
If you could understand half they will
say"
Andrea's lips dropped and she shook
her head. mo" she said slowly. "No
I wouldn't" She was sitting with her
elbows on the table, her cheek against
the back Of her clasped hands ard her
eyes following the white mans nervous
movements with a sort of wounded
wonder.
$50, you see, we can fix it," he con-
cluded. "These clergymen are the
only people in this back country that /
could have trusted you with and who
will strike just the right family note
in your precious world-of-the-things
Observation-Disclosures. have
worked my best for you. I've made
them come a hundred miles through
country they have always thought i'm
passable."
Andrea sat back and let her hands
fall to her lap; for a moment she
bowed her head and looked down at
them, then she raised her gaze to his
face. Her own, while It had been half
hidden, had suddenly lost its look of
exuberant youth. 1t was so pale that
her eyes seemed too large for it. They
dimmed its outlines.
white Man." she said, "do you
mean it?"
"Mean what?"
81 have seen you kill beasts and
men, said Andrea, "but even so,
couldn't have believed it of you." Her
voice grew dulled, like water running
over silken moss. Il couldn't have be-
lieved that you would hurt me sow
She cast her arms out across the table
and dropped her face upon them.
With a self-accusing cry, Trevor
sprang to her, picked her up and car
ried her to the couch. She lay in his
arms without resisting; her body had
surrendered to a laxity that let him
pile furs under her head and arrange
her limbs as he would. She was list
less; too tired to fight; too broken to
weep. He knelt beside her and took
both her hands in his. "Now that you
are no longer an irresponsible child"
he said, "nOw that your stripped self is
here to listen, l will tell you how l love
you. The child in you might forget );
the woman never. love you in body
and in spirit. l love you so that am
ready to stand up and deny freedom. I
love you enough TO give you myself and
the world-my world of starlit nights
and silent spaces that I've worshiped
so long alone. Yes, love you enough
for that, and have to, God help me,
for you are in my heart and l can
never, never get you out"
Andrea looked as if blood were be
ing transfused into her veins with each
word. She felt her youth coming back
with the sure surge Of an advancing
tide. Her eyes grew bright and then
frightened. "White Man." she gasped,
Take me quickly; l feel myself grow
ing young again :"
He leaped to his feet, caught her up
in his arms and shook her; then he
surrendered. young or DID," he said,
what difference does ii make? / love
your youth as l already love your old
age. Put your arms around my neck,
look into my eyes and tell me you love
me- too"
Cllnging to him, her head thrown
back, her eyes in his, she said, 81 love
you"
again" commanded Trevor.
81 love you"
"And now, my little sweetheart, my
own girl, just once more"
"Ah! begged Andrea, don't make
me say it again let me kiss you"
Five minutes later Trevor reluctant
ly opened the door on the crool and
cried, Bishop
One of the three white men sprang
to his feet. "God bless my SOUL" he
exclaimed, 'where did you come from?
When did you get here? My dear
chap, what's happened to your faceT
Trevor, forgetful of his damaged ap-
pearance, put his hands to his lips
guiltlly, as though he feared that some
mark had clung there to betray their
recent occupation: then he remem-
hcrcd his singed and bandaged condl-
tior "Oh tho :" he said. Nothing