Evening star., 1927-09-01
LADY SLIPPER
Bv Ella Wistey HaineS
Author of "MYTERIOUS SWEETHEART"
.,.o~riSht Ioog Thompsou Feature Service. Inc,

and drew Anne well aside. and out OF
earshot.
Are you willing to take a chance
with me?" he questioned, II think we
can slip away and reach Colon toniSht.
Are you 9ame?"
But how, Victor? We can't walk,
and they won't let us take a boat.
even if we could row such q big
thing"'
NO, but listen. Around the bend.
I came upon a native, fishing up
little creek in a canoe I managed to
make him understand what wanted,
I've picked up most of these Central
American dialects. He is willing TO
paddle us into Colon. The sea has died
down and by sunset it will be as calm
as a millpond We can keep right
along close to the shore and into Colon
Harbor, which will be far safer than
trying to penetrate the Chagres
River to Gatun Locks at that time OF
night"
But isn't that an immense dis.
tance, Victor? Won't it be too dark?"
Have you forgotten the moon,
dear? There won't be any storm to dim
it tonight! And it's not too far. not
more than or miles, think,
which is nothing to an expert paddler.
This man is native of Chagres, the
little hamlet near the river"
Wouldn't it be better for us to take
shelter there tonight?" Anne could not
! conceal her hesitation to embark upon
such a dangerous expedition.
Its a miserable little settlement,
Anne. Filthy. dirty and no place at all
for a woman alone! l wouldn't dare to
trust you there, dear. Won't you be
guided by me? You know what you
are to me! You know, I'd give my
I OF
Anne looked back at the hostile
group beneath the canvas tent, and
her heart sank. Already she was
haunted by thoughts Of her father,
, his terrible anxiety when news OF the
accident should reach him.
Il simply must get TO town, Victor.
she said, II must cable poor dad to-
night or he'll be frantic! Yes, I'll ven'
ture it, I'll have tor
Then wait here" Straine said. in
tensely relieved. 'I'll have to find
way to persuade the officer to let me
take you around that bend, l can't let
him know were escaping; he'd never
allow it,
Anne never knew what Victor
| Straine said to the officer. She saw
him stroll toward the man nonchalant-
| ly, his hands in his pockets, saw them
conversing, the officer gesticulating,
| Straine Struggling his shoulders and
returning to her unhurried.
He's going to row back to the ship
presently, 'he said in low tones, well
get away then"
| 1t was an hour before the officer
started back to the S. S. Hope and in
| that time the sea had quieted tre-
mendously, so that Anne was becom-
ing accustomed to the idea and less
| afraid to comply with Straine's sug-
gestion. And when the moment for
action arrived she allowed herself to
| be picked up and carried out into the
water, without protest.
Their departure however, was not
/ without difficulty, for the seaman left
in charge Of the castaways was angry
and threatening, pursuing them into
the sea and attempting to wrest Anne
| from Straine's grasp.
Straines reply was a banknote so
| large that it made Anne eXclaim!
"One hundred dollars and your
mouth shut"' Straine's voice snapped,
! we're going around this bend to Sc
cure q moment to ourselves! No harm
done, We'll be back in an hour at the
| latest"
The man gazed at the note and
wavered.
'I may lose my job for this" he
said uncertainty, will you stand by
me, if I'm called up?"
why, of course" Straine laughed,
| land you won't lose anything! I'm
well acquainted with the owners Of
this line. I'll see you through"
| He was victorious. The seaman
waded back and Victor held Anne
| closely, triumphantly, arousing once
more her feeling Of uncertainty.
Are you sure, Victor?" she ques-
| toned TREMENDOUSLY. What would
Chris think-if he knew-wouldn't he
be furious with me for consenting to
such an adventure?"
| Around the bend of the shore, per-
| haps hundred yards along, tiny
| opening appeared.
That's the creek" Straine cried,
''we'll be there in no time! Hold tight,
| dearest, you're safe with me!'
1t was too late to go back. Anne
| gritted her teeth and tried to be game.
1t was foolish for her to distrust Vic
| tor, who had always been so kind, so
considerate of her very wish. so
careful of her safety!
The sight of the native, however,
almost stopped her heart from beat
| ing: He was a half-naked man, small,
| but 1.-the and sinewy, dark skinned
and black eyed, a turban wrapped
around his head, and in the one gar
ment which served as belt and trou-
sers, he wore huge carved knife, the
most deadly weapon Anne had ever
seen!
"Thats machete," Straine ex-
planned, helping Anne into the canoe,
they all carry them, it's their only
means OF cutting through this under
brushp'
Anne was too terrified to reply, and
as Straine seated himself so as to be
able to watch her face, she tried to
conceal her fear.
What kind of canoe is this?" she
| tried to make conversation, its the
queerest thing l ever saw"'
Looks like a homemade affair, to
be sure" Straine agreed, "a dug-out,
/ guess. Never mind, it's swift craft,
well make Colon before midnight
Anne did not reply. Conversation
was difficult. and she began to study
Straine's countenance with more at
tention that she had ever devoted to
it before, asking herself the secret
of this mans fascination. For he had
fascinated her. even though she was
iso completely In love with Chris!
Straine had come into her life about
the same time as Chris Anne had even
better opportunity for becoming ac-
lquainted with him as they had work
ed side by side in her fathers labora-
tory. Tall, very handsome, features so
regular as to be almost classic, man.
ners winning and yet deferential-
this was Victor Straine with whom
she was now af1oat in a dug-out. at
tended by a fierce-looking stranger
with a huge machete!
Continued in Tomorrow's Star.