Hyder weekly herald., 1933-06-03
International Complications
By H. IRVING KING
@. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
 WNU Service

engaged to Benjamin Littlefeld. That ought to have settled 1t; there should have been nothing further except the wedding bells. the old shoes and the rice. But then, on the other hand, had there not been there would have been no story. Barbara and Ben were Just two wholesome, rather common place, young people we'll established in their own social world.
 Then Garfield Rogers cast his eye upon Barbara and saw that she was fair. Then he investigated her fathers financial standing and saw that 1t was fairer still Then he began to hunt for points against Ben and stumbled across something which afforded him ghoulish glee.
 Rogers and Ben had been in the same class at college and among their classmates had been a certain Harry Butterworth who had been appointed since his graduation United States consul at Porto Gulfo, little banana port on the Central American coast. Ben and Harry had been not only classmates but friends. belonged to the same fraternity, etc.
 The little republic in which Porto GulfO was situated was lively all out of proportion to its size, and Harry wrote Ben such graphic accounts of the tropical scenery and of his own weird experiences that Ben. having nothing to do. took ship and went down to visit his old college chum. Having spent some time there, he came back and, year later, fell in love with Barbara Holden.
 It was after Rogers had gazed upon Barbara and upon her fathers finan- cial record and had become filled with longing to possess them both that he met the former consul at Porto Gulfo, returned home and awaiting appoint ment to more important post.
 "Hullo. Butterworth," said Rogers. "Well, how is the rising young diplo- mat? Got an embassy yet?"
 "Why. it's Rogers, isn't it?" replied Harry. Ever see any of the old boys now? Good old Ben Littlefield comes from your part of the country. Do you see much of him? haven't seen him since he paid me visit at Porto Gulfo. For the last year he has writ ten only at rare intervals. When you see him ask him about his wife. Ask him if he has ever heard of her since they parted at Gulfo? Ha ha That's a good story. I'll tell you how it was. You see" Just then telegram was handed to Butterworth. Great Scott!" he cried as he read 1t, II must try and catch the next train for Washington. Ask Ben to tell you the story of his dusky bride-Inez Castellon. Ia. ta!"
 Within few days Rogers rang Bar bara's front door bell at an hour when he was certain he would find the lov- CTS together. They received him politely. though not enthusiastically. He was beaming, jolly, full of jokes. "Oh. by the way" said he at length. "1 have Just got back from New York. Met Harry Butterworth at the club. He talked lot about you. Ben. Told me to be sure and ask you if you had heard from your wife, Inez Castellon that was, since you parted from her at Porto Gulfo. Seemed quite anxious about It."
 Barbara sat pale. rigid-her eyes wide and angulshed. Ben looked con- fused at first and then said with a laugh: "Oh, that? It's quite story"
 "Never mind now. old top," replied Rogers. Some other time. I've deliv- cred my message and must toddle."
 As the door closed behind him, Ben turned and looked at Barbara. For the first time he realized the serious ness of the situation. Barbara" said he. "what is the matter? You surely don't believe"
 "I don't know what to believe-what to think" she faltered. And then with "Oh. Ben! Oh. BenI" she burst into tears and rushed from the room.
 Ben tried to tell himself that Bar bara was unreasonable. But then was she-very7 He must furnish an ex. planation. that was clear. He went kho