The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-04-28

with Tola al his feet
smith came from a. cave and
learned % tho flighi 81 Benson into
The iungleS pursued ~ his bride.
Then, toward dusk a group Of
natives came into the open
space over which Clark presid-
cd. They carried a misshapen
bundle between Them.
The maidcns in the Eroup were
chanting dirge that spoke morv
eloquenlly than words.
clark paled az the approach o.
tho little company.
Il am going. he said. aslng.
Smith, who heard him. wheeled
sharply about.
you can't do that" he said
Remain upon Your throne. You
must lock upon what they br1nE
you II probably is Benson"
Toha, who had been listening.
shook her head,
No. she said. 1T i not the
white man. II is one OF our own
people, else tho maidens would not
cry IN death"
Clark was dumbfounded. lie
was afraid.
You mean. he asked. ''that the
girl may be deadl Good heavens
And he glanced. panieStrioken. az
fat smith. Smith, too, was worried.
lie spoke sharply.
II that l. the girl and not Benson
there Is no telling what these women
viii do In revenge"
Toha, too. was concerned. She
put her arm thru ClarK's and drew
him 10 her.
~ love you. lord" sho said fer.
vently. They win not harm you,
They cannot harm you unless they
harm me"
Thank you for that. Toha." said
I Ciak gratefully, He felt secure IN
this Wild woman's presence az times
az others a great fear.
The group was now before the
/ throne. Tho bundle they carried
was draped ip large leaves.
They laid II AZ the foot OF the
throne and prepared 10 unwrap
I Il at once.
Take Il away said Clark, GOV
ering his eyes with his hands.
Don't warned smith. stant
the gaff. Clark. You are a king
You must not be affected by sight,
Ike these
Clark stoelcd himself and locke,
stoically down az their grewrom,
burden. What he saw brought palloI
again 70 his cheeks.
Smith turned away.
"It j. BOTH" ne said. The
natives say the girl has been
bitten by a reptile and Benson
crushed 10 death"
Look. cried Toba. Here come,
the white woman. let her see, too
Clark glanced down the heavy
leafed path that led from The eavc'
10 the tribal court and saw Marlar
Page. she came slowly toward them
her golden hair streaming over hci
shoulders. her face upliftsd. a smil'
OF greeting on her lips for the king
She was headed directly for N,
throne. and Clark. without mo
meni's hesitation. went toward her
He forgot Toba. forgot the natives
forgot Tor the moment the death o.
Benson and his bride. threw caution
20 the wind.
Miss Page greeted him cherriiy
She was trying TO be brave. Goo,
morning. king" she said. 1T IL no
meant that the ruler OF this islam,
leave his throne TO greet n lowly sui
jet. The subject should so 10 HI
majesty
Then she noticed the agitation h
had tried 20 hard 20 conceal.
''what Ia it, she asked.
1T is nothing" he replied. lie
US walk on the beach"
Tell me. she pleaded. what la
happened. Why do you not wish m
70 90 into the court2''
. Clark shrugged his shoulders. Eva
sion WIS useless. II were better. j.
thought, TO tell her.
AN accident has happened" Il
I sNstAt ffNAtHbtAF AAf' NhsttN VI yNll
shin. has lost his life In the jungle,
and a girl has dill, too
Miss Page pgScd But she said n
uorc. They salked to the bcacl
Clark breathed deeply Of the inyigr
rating air from the ocean.
1T Is good to leave that place,
he said. II wish you and ] migf
walk like this on the beach ever
morning"
She glanced UP at him shyly
what would Tota say?' 81
asked
He frowned. Tobai He hsd foi
gotten Toba. He had left her Will
out an excuse or an apology. II
cautious OF him. yes. But did h
have TO bind his life to the within {
this woman?
In the presence Of this white cir
sors1choxss Tho apciI of the nufft