Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-08-25
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Avery's
Inheritance
az - - - - - = - - - 1890
By MYRA c. LANE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright, 1922, Western Newspaper Union.

Copyright, 1929, western Newspaper Union
And l shall not see you again2"
NO, l am going on to Tulapang."
Avery clasped the girls hand, looked
squarely into her eyes and, seeing
nothing there but frank good will,
raised his hat and turned away.
He shrugged his shoulders. He had
been attracted to her on the voyage
to the Philippines; but he was no
chicken, and he resolved to set 1t
down as a passing Irritation and forget
It, He was well past thirty, and had
more important matters afoot.
His great-uncle, Lionel Avery, the
explorer, had left him, in his will, a
native kingdom, consisting Of several
hundreds Of square miles, unlimited
copra, pearl fishing, gold in the noun
tains, jungle, swamp, head-hunters,
and elghty-five wives, the legacy of his
predecessor, whom the aged explorer
appears to have supplanted by some
political legerdemain.
But then, Lionel Avery had been a
national character In his day, and his
conquest Of this Wild territory was
nothing remarkable Avery had been
famous from Patang to Singapore, and
all up the China coast, as the last of a
race of intrepid American adventures.
But to young man, who had never
known anything but the drudgery Of a
clerkship, who had no relatives except
Lionel Avery-whom he had seen only
lffn-anh n
cousin, Anne-who was probably
gorgon-the Inheritance Of an entire
kingdom was an event. And Avery
had sailed to take up his Inheritance.
There were thirty miles by railroad
from the port, ninety by coach, hun
dred by bullock wagon, and then about
hundred more over trail through
dense tropical Jungle to the cluster of
huts that was the capital. Long before
Avery reached 1t he had put his fellow
passenger out of his mind.
He had kept his secret till he was
beyond the bounds of civilization, and
there three headmen, who had been
apprlzed Of his coming and spoke a
smattering of English, met him to con
duct him "home," with royal saluta-
lions. 1t was a six days march, and
on the fourth day emlssaries arrived
They sat round the camp fire and
engaged In an animated and protract-
ed palaver, which lasted until Avery
fell asleep. In the morning the ennis
sarles were gone. The headman,
Ngrolles, came up to Avery.
"This is bad business" he said.
ut Is doubtful whether the people
Wish you to arrive, my lord"
He went on to explain that the queen
of the tribe had raised the standard
Of rebellion, and was supported by
fully half the population in her reso-
luton not to acknowledge Avery.
"The messengers say that war
party of our men will meet us five
miles from the capital" the headman
continued. 1--WE may number three
hundred spearmen against four hun
bred of the other SIDE Is It your wish
that we go forward, my lOrd?"
Eyes, let 'er go-I mean, forward"
said Avery.
Nevertheless the headman looked
the capital, and the next night they
left the trail and camped In the jungle
to avoid surprise. On the following
morning the bush gave way to vast
rolling plains, with here and there evil
dences OF cultivation.
About noon they perceived n body
Of men advancing toward them. For
n few moments rhe little party were
left In hesitation but then they proved
to be the friendly recruits who had
fiocked to Avery's SIDE.
They gathered about him raising
their spears aloft, In salutatlon. Avery
turned to Ngrolles.
"Transate this speech" he said. 81
will lead them to victory. To every
widow of u man who falls a water bur
falo shall be given. There is to be
no killing Of the wounded"
Ngrolles translated. and the party |
went frenzed with approval. In a
compact body they moved forward, |
until an hour later they came In sight |
Of the capital on n low hill.
In front Of IT, massed I'm solid |
phaanx, were the partlsans Of the
tribal queen.
Avery restrained his men and went
forward accompanied by Ngrolles.
holding up white flag.
The black ranks opened at the word
Of command, and out strode-a white
wOman--the woman passenger! She
wore short. white skirt and sun
helmet.
"John Avery" she said, II call on
you to return and leave me In posses
sion Of my rights. ! knew all about your
mission, but hope that there may be
no blOodshed This territory Is under
American protection, and the United
States will avenge any act Of piracy
on your part"
"PIracyl" snOrted Avery. 81 In
herited this kingdom legally from my
great-uncle Lionel Avery, and have
the papers TO prove 1t
"What2" she cried. why, Lionel
Avery was my great-uncle, and |
thought you had falsely taken his
name. am Anne Wickham."
"rhen we are cousins" said Avery.
Let's call truce til we can go over
our papers together"
Anne looked at him doubtfully. "The
people will never agree" she said
mournfully whichever Of us gives
way. II will mean bloodshed. They
are very turbulent"
Avery hesitated. "Then-perhaps-
II our papers are In Order-we--lt's
70 al ~ IA /
bOnrd the ship" he said,
A burning blush rrept up under
Auue's skin II III think about II
q t,r I've seen your papers, John" she
answered