The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-01-10

lit 1t and showed her how it could p0
carried to any desired point on the
circumference of the room and hooked
there.
On one side stood cot eli eady
made up; beside it small camp chair.
On the other side was long hammock
chair, and close to it stood a carved
tabouret piled high with books. Over
a small table hung a foolish little
mirror. The walls were waiEscOted
with a woven mat of golden reeds
The place smelled clean. was clean.
Andrea had come into the room OBJ
sessed by single idea, and that was
of the covered passage leading to the
next hut. a She failed 10 discover It's
entrance until her companion drew her
attention to door, wainScGte'l like
the walls but crossed by a sturdy bar
pivOted at one end, the other sinking
into a deep socket.
ut occurred to me-" said the man,
that perhaps you would be afraid at
night unless you were sure of help.
Listen" He raised the bar, and as
he did SO the hidden door flew open
and a gong sounded in the next hut.
''The bar cannot be lifted from my
side of course" he added.
Then he led her out through the
x-oropdo into bar Drivota Oar6an and
pointed to quite new and tiny hut.
'Your bath and washroom," he said.
"You must have no water in the hut
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 FIVE? 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, IT'LL half after five, then"
Things had moved so fast through
the day that she had had no time tC
mark more than their general course
Now she settled down to deliberate
survey. She went back in her mind
to Aunty Gwen, to her brothers anC
to the public at large as represented
by the colony dance. She imagined
their CONSERVATION at her disappear
ance, visualized the efforts that ever
at this moment were being made t.
trace her and the full force of theil
inevitable futility.
The searchers would have nothin!
to 90 on. There was only one chanc'
as far as she knew and that was ;
slim one. In the general excitemen
the native whom the white man hat
left behind might chatter his way int
sufficient prominence to get himsel
called as a witness. But she sc
small hope on such a solution, for tn
last few hours had taught her tina
the author of all her troubles wa
more than White Man to those unde
him-he was master.
Then her thoughts turned to tn
man she was to have married. o
course, and whatever happened fror
now on, that-deal-wa off. Sh
puckered her brow, puzzled that sue
conclusion brought no great shoe
with 1t. Last of all, she thought @
herself. What was the meaning G
this day to Andrea Pellor, to that gil
whom she had curiously watched
studied and dreamed over during yer
nearly a quarter of a century? On
consciously she faced the probleI
from the standpoint into which sh
had been bred alone-measured 1t b
the cold rule of convention and 81
ciety usage.
Pm done for" said Andrea to he
self. yesterday l was a pearl {
; great price In the marriage marke
and now everything In the way of cas-
that offers will come from the mus
halls! Your last day, Pellor," sh
added aloud, giving a deep significant
TO the use of the old family nam
alone. Her lips curled and her eye
hardened rebelliously as she added
! final murmur, But it's been hun
| merI'
"Scoff ready, Missis."
She jumped erect with a startle
i cry.
"Plenty hungry. eh?" said Bathtu
, with his usual grin of pride at h
: mowers of deduction.