The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-27

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planning of the days to be spent
ashore in this port.
This one day should be hers. After
that the passengers might claim her
if they wished.
She was the last of those going
ashore to leave the ship. She did
not wish any volunteer escorts.
Just before she departed, Flance,
who also had fingered behind came
to speak to her. All morning he
had sought her for word in pri-
vate, only to find her in such de-
mand and so busy that she could
not tear herself away to be alone
with him.
Should you like me to go with
you to Leigh's?" he asked.
THANK you. I'd rather go alone, -
she answered frankly.
IT thought So" he told her.
"Well, you know these natives speak
mostly strange patois. They call
it French, but I don't think they'd
understand you as a Frenchman
would If they don't you can mix it
up with little Spanish or English.
Virginia smiled. I'm getting one
of the stewardesses to accompany
me as a guide: She knows Port Au
Prince well. But thank you very
much for your thoughtsulness, Mr..
Flance. Sorry to lose you here"
Under ordinary circumstances
I'd be sorry to leave, but there's a
welcome waiting for me nearby and
young son I'm going to see for the
first time. So If can't be of service
to you I'll be getting along" he
replied with a broad and happy grin.
Virginia gave him her hand and
congratulated him. She hoped he
would find both mother and son
doing we'll and he hoped she would
find Mr.. Leigh lover the weather"
Virginia was scarcely interested in
the drive out to the plantation as a
drive.
Her mind was wholly on getting tc
Oddly Leigh so she paid scant atten-
ton to the route they took in and
out of narrow winding streets until
they came to the Place L'Ouverture.
Here she was compelled to adj
mire the rows of beautiful royal
palms through which they logged
along in the open coche.
She had hesitated at first sight
of the frail looking little beast that
was drawing them, to engage a
coche but a search for a taxi proved
that all had been taken by the
passengers.
The best Of the coches, too. Vir-
ginia was forced to content herself
with this or even worse.
"It is not $50 far" the stewardesS
informed her encouragingly. "These
little horses are tough"
From the shade of the umbrella
they carried for their own protec-
ton Virginia observed the lathered
sides and thin, shaky legs Of the
tiny pony with great pity.
eff only I did not have to go on
I'd get out and walk back to the
ship" she exclaimed heatedly.
please keep your eyes open for an
empty taxi, Miss Webster, and if
you see one, hail it.
They passed several parties from
the ship but Virginia avoided stop
ping and shook her head firmly
when some of them shouted to her
to join their groups.
After they left tho city and got
on a country highwaY , oy met the
Negro peasants coming In with their
market baskets perched upon their
heads.
The natives moved along, work
ing their jaws industriouSly, the
hips of the women swaying with an
indescribable rhythmic motion.
Those who were mounted on DON
VS. displayed a nonchalant poise
that won Virginia's admiration.
They might have been going to
their own coronation, she remarked
to her companion.
They're proud of their freedom
from slavery" Miss Webster told
her.
Virginia sighed.
"That's why they strut" the
other went on.
Virginia thought she should not
call it strutting. Rather an express
sion of people who had found them
selves-not on a high plane, per-
haps, but so much loftier than their
former state as to f1ll them with a
prideful satisfaction no one could
begrudge.
The natives paid scant attention
to them. Never hating in the
march of turning to stare.