Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-05

cable agent referred It to me. Under
the circumstances no, knowing where
| could reach YOU with cable inform
ing you that Mrs. wilkins was headed
for California to see you, | had no
other alternative hut to let matters
take their course. decided You might
arrive on La EStrellta. so | called Ia
welcome you 10 our thriving little city,
and, MS friend of about two min
utes' standing, to warn you away from
it,"
Bllly'S mlen. as he voiced this
warning, was so slngularly mysteri.
Gus that Dolores curiosity was
aroused instantly and rose superior
to her grief. why, what's the mat
teri" she demanded
Billy loked around. as II fearful of
being overheard. He lowered his
voice. "Were going to have one grand
little firSt-claSS revolution" he re.
piled. ITS due to bust almost any
night now. and when it does the
streets of San Buenaventura will run
red with blood"
Dolores blanched "Oh, dearie me,
she quayered. DO they still have
revolutions here? You know, Mr..
Geary, my poor father was killed in
one"
"Yes, and the same old political
gang that shot him is still on deck, "
Billy warned her. 1T would be high
~ dangerous for Ruey. man or WON
an, 10 show his or her nose around
Buenaventura about now. Besides,
Miss Ruey, that isn't the worst, he
continued, for a whole-hearted lad was
Billy who never did anything by
halves. The city is reeking with
cholera he declared
cholera !" Dolores big brown eyes
grew bigger with wonder and concern.
How strange the port authorities
didn't warn us at New Orleans"
"Tish! Tush! Fiddlesticks and then
some The fruit company censors
everything, Miss Ruey and the news
doesn't get out"
But the port doctor just said the
passengers could 90 ashore"
whats human life to a doctor:
Besides, he's on the SluSh-fuId pay
roll and does whatever the hgherupS
tell him. You be guided by what tell
you, Miss Ruey. and do not set foot
on Sobrantean soil. II you stay
aboard La Estrellita, you'll have your
nice clean stateroom. your we'll
cooked meals, your bath, and the at
tentions of the stewardess. The steam
er will be loaded In two days; then
you go back 10 New Orleans, and by
the time you arrive there I'll have
been in communication by cable with
Mother Jenks-I mean"
"MOther who" Dolores demanded.
"a mere slip of the tongue, Miss
Ruey. vas thinking OF my landlady
| meant Mrs. wilkins"
I'm 80 awfully obliged to you. Mr.
Geary. You're so kind, I'm sure I'd
be most ungrateful girl not to be
guided by you accordingly, You
wouldn't risk any friend OF yours in
this terrible place, would you, Mr.
GearyY
Indeed, would not. BY permitting
anybody thought anything of to come
to this city. should feel guilty Of
murder"
I'm sure you would, Mr.. Geary
Nevertheless. there Is one point that |!
not quite clear In my mind. and | wlsl
you'd explain"
Command me. Miss Ruey.'
"If this is such frIghtful place
why are you so anxious, If | may EN-
ploy such language, to hornsw0ggl'
your dearest friend. Mr.. John s, Web
ster into coming down here? Do yol
want to XIII him and get his money
or what?" ~.t
Billy's face famed at thought of tn,
embarrassing trap his glib tongue haO
led him into. He cursed himself 70
a star-spangled jackass and while h
was engaged In this interesting pas
time Dolores spoke again.
"And by the way, which is It? Mis-
wilkins or Mrs? You've called he
both, and when reminded you sh
was a Miss, You agreed with me
whereas she Is nothing of the sort
She's q Mrs. Then you blurted gu
something about Mother jerks, an
finally, Mr.. Geary. It occurs to me tina
for complete stranger you are IN
duly interested In my welfare. III
not such o goose as to assimilate you
weird tales Of death from disease. |
occurs to me that Ii your friend job