The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-24

he had ever swung far enough TO
leap into the cave. He still could
see no possible means Of entrance
or egTcSS, unless n series of six or
eight long ladders, supplemented
by chiSelcd finger and toe holds,
were placed on the face of the
cliff. There were some natural
steps and footholdS, nevertheless.
Defiance Castle was the most inn
prcgnablc of all the cliff fort
rcSScS he had ever seen. he knew.
When he was sure that no other
means offered, Bob did a simple
thing. He grinned TO himself as
he worked.
"pll look like real cave man
when | descend" hc told himself.
He wondered what HadcS Jones
would say then.
With his pocket knife, he cut
and tore his shirt, handkerchief,
trousers legs and undcrShirt into
small strings and tied their ends
together. He let this long string
down to Mary Melissa and Honey
Bee Girl, then pulled up a small
rope which they tied TO the string.
With the small rope he then pull
cd up Il stronger one.
II took time. but it was easy.
He knotted the big rope at fire.
qucnt intervals, for steps" and
himself was back in camp soon
after lladeS Jones returned with
HOLMAN. The talk was very pro-
fuse all around, for while, save
for Honey Bee.
When food had been served,
and the work of building more
permanent camp started, Honey
Bee approached Bob alone, just
outside the supply tent.
IL cried when YOU were up
there" she Simpered, rather sur
prisingly.
Mary Melissa overheard it. She
was inside the supply tent. but
obviously the Indian cir! didn't
know.
Honey Bees infection was one
of secrecy, of deliberate intimacy.
In the Indians background, &C
tionS were direct; one took what
one wanted. one said what one
thought, let the results be rs they
may.
Mary Melissa caught the intent
in a flash, realized in that instant
that Honey Bee was in love with
Robert Barry. The thought
astounded her.
You - you mean - >" Bob
missed it. cav, that's all right,
Honey Bee. Don't worry about
me. But I'm sorry | frightened
you girls. Certainly | don't want
to scare the best cook | ever had.
He felt that some sort Of pat
on-the-back would calm matters.
After all, he had acted rather
foolishly. He didn't see that
Honey Bee was offering herself
to him, with her eyes, her atti-
tudc. her desire. She was still a
servant in his sight. a rather
pretty child who must be kidded
along.
Mary Melissa remained quiet
until they moved away. Best not
reveal that she had overheard,
even by accident. so personal a
bit of conversation. The thing
had upset her greatly. That. on
top Of the excitement when Bob
was in danger, served doubly to
unnerve her.
She realized, though, that all
this was none Of her affair, that
this was n business trip in the
interest of science, and from her
standpoint Il vacation from the
hectic and somewhat sitting rou-
tine Of society in the moneyed
east. What if the red girl did
throw herself at Dr.. Barry?
Mary Melissa was doing her
best to PHILOSOPHERS, TO be logical.
But it wouldn't work. Logic
wasn't the answer. Her eyes fill
ed with unlimited tears, and a
sob came. She got up hastily
then. to go and look for old
HadeS Jones. She must talk TO
somebody.
The white girls chin was set,
and her eyes were strangely
hard, as she walked away. She
knew there was just one thing in
all the world she wanted, and she
meant to have il.
TT, hn ,nr,ipunJA