Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-08-11
Copyright by
Frank A. Munsey Co.
(contInued from last week.
CHAPTER XIII.
Morrison and Hanson.

AS Hanson ana Morrison rode toward
the formers camp the Englishman
maintained n morose silence. The
other was attempting TO formulate an
opening that would lead naturally to
the proposition ne had In mind. lie
rode a neck behind his companion,
grinning as he noted the sullen scoWl
upon the others patrician face.
Rather rough on you. wasn't hep
he vcntured at last, jerking his head
back in the direction of the bungalow
as Baynes turned his eyes upon him at
the remark.
He thinks q lot Of the girl contin-
ued Hanson, land don't want nobody
10 marry her and take her away. But
IL looks 10 me as though he was don'
her more harm than good in scndn'
you away. She ought 10 marry some
time and she couldn't do better than
fine young gentleman like YOU
Baynes, who had az first felt inclined
to take offense at the mention of his
private affairs by this common fellow,
was Modified by Hanson's final remark
and Immediately commenced to see in
him q man of discrimination.
Hes a darned bounder." grumbled
the Hon. Morrison, but I'll get even
with him. He may be the whole thing
in central Africa, but I'm as big as he
is in London, and he'll find it out when
he comes home
IF l was you" said Hanson, Il
wouldn't let any man keep me from
gettin' the girl l want. Between YOU
and me l amt got no use for him I'll
ther and if l can help you any, why,
just call on me-"
It's mighty good Of you, Hanson
replied Bayncs, warming up bit, but
what can fellow do here in this God
forsaken holeT
II know what I'd do" said Hanson.
"Id take the girl along with me. II
she loves you she'll go all right
at can't be done" said Baynes. lie
bosses this whole blooming country for
miles around. He'd be sure 10 catch
US"
"No, he wouldn't; not with me run
ming things" said Hanson. I've been
trading and hunting here for ten years,
and l know as much about the country
as he does. If you want 10 take the
girl along I'll help you, and I'll guar
antee that there won't nobody catch
up with us before we reach the coast.
"Tn tell you vhat-you write her "a
note, and I'll get it to her by my head
man. Ask her 10 meet you 20 say
goodby. She won't refuse that. In the
meantime we can be moviu' camp
III -, ~
YOU can make arrangements with her
10 be all ready on certain night. Tell
her I'll meet her then. while YOU wait
for US in camp. ThatU be better, for
l know the country well and can cover
II quicker than you. You can take
charge of the safari and be mov!n
along slow toward the north, and the
girl and III catch up to YOU"
The balance of the long ride TO Han
sons northerly camp was made In ST.
lence, for both men We're occupied with
their own thoughts, most of which
were far from being either compli-
mentary or loyal TO the other
AS they rode through the wood the
sounds of their careless passage came
to the ears of another jungle wayfarer
II was no other than Korak himself,
who was perched in tree.
He moved stealthily through the
branches until he came within sight Of
the riders. He fell in behind the pair,
following them TO Hanson's camp.
Here the Hon. Morrison penned brief
note, which Hanson gave into the
keeping OF one of his boys, who start
ed off forthwith with it toward the
south. Out OF curiosity korak re-
manned in the vicinity Of the camp.
Baynes was restless, pacing back
and forth beneath the trees when he
should have been resting against the
forced marches OF the coming flight.
Hanson lay in his hammock and smok-
ed. They spoke but little. KOrak lay
stretched upon a branch among the
dense foliage above them.
In the garden beside the bungalow
Meriem wandered thoughtfully in the
moonlight. She still smarted from
Bwanas, to her, unjust treatment of
the Hon. Morrison Baynes.
Meriem loved them both and was
grateful TO them for all that they had
surged the savage love of liberty that
her years of untrammeled freedom in
the Jungle had made part and parcel Of
her being. Now for the first time
since she had come to them, Meriem
felt like a prisoner In the bungalow OF
Bwana and Ny Dear.
Like a Gagged tigress the girl paced
the length of the Enclosure. once she
paused near the outer fence. her head
upon one side, listening TO the pad OF
naked human feet just beyond the gar
den. The sound was not repeated.
Then she resumed her restless walk
ing. Down to the opposite end OF th'
garden she passed, turned and retrace'
her steps toward the upper end. Upoi
the sward near the bushes that hid th'
fence, full in the glare of the moon
light, lay q white envelope that ha'
not been there when she had turned
almost upon the very spot momen