The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-06-11
LILA'S PLOT
CHAPTER XXI

Lila wanted to shrek at
them. What did she care if TO-
900 kilos flowed from the pla-
Igued zapote! = She wouldn't 90 a
step into that hellish jungle if
she was shot for it. But her face
hdid not give away her thoughts.
She alibied sweetly on the score
of her work.
( Unfortunately for her. Allison
came around the corner Of the
thYt in time to hear her. She
was carrying bowl of soup for
an emaciated-looking Indian lol-
ling in the shadow Of the door
way.
Nonsense, she called bright
ly to Barry as she gave the soup
to the Indian. You take her
right along We've got TO sec
she doesn't ovcrWork-like this
poor Indian did" Her eyes met
Lila's steadily.
A shadow passed over Lila'S
face. Then she said with slow
effort, AN right-Id love to
60"
Sunset was bathing the estan-
cha clearing in a crimon mist
when Lila, Barry and Renaldo
came out OF the jungle. a chat
tering flock of parakeets beat
NOISY wings i'm sudden flight.
Barry's hand closed on Lila's
arm
"Technicolor, uh?" he whis-
percd. He stood watching the
brilliant scene and Rcnaldo
lpaused bcsidN him. A muffled
fury and desperation caught up
Lila. Would the fools never get
back to the house? But she
''SSrced herself to stand quietly.
ITS what gets you about
Ijungle country Barry said.
E"You never know what mad
lwhim nature will be throwing
next"
| mo" Rcnaldo smiled. You
lonly know it Will be sudden
land vigorous"
| They moved on finally, and
lcrosscd the clearing.
| Allison greeted them from the
jVeranda. In the sunset glow, she
Twas a misty vision in her full
lskirted evening gown Of sheerest
ltulle. Lila could have killed her,
Were having party" cried
IAllison gally.
"A party?" said Barry. What
for"
ITS Rcnaldoso birthday" AL
I]ison sent the Spaniard mis-
schievous smile. Cook told me-
lShe said father always had her
lbake a cake for him. So were
lhavlng one tonight
The handsome Renaldo for
lonce lost his SAVIOR faire. He
lstuttercd in his confusion. you
you shouldn't have gone TO
that trouble!' But he was
. pleased,
Its been a rather--strenuous
day Lila began with con-
trolled anger. Couldn't we post
pone-'
Renaldo looked sharply disap-
pointed.
Allison cried, ooh, you can't
postpone birthday party"
And Barry chimcd in, II
think it'll be jolly
Lila swept in to her room. If
il weren't that she wanted Barry
even more than she wanted to
get her hands on that yellow
haired vixen! she thought saw
agely. A shower took away some
of the fatigue from her aching
body, but she was still in no
humor for a party. II didn't help
her mood, either, to have ALI
son offer TO lend her an evening
gown to make a change from the
one she had been wearing each
might
This will do nicely" she
Imurmurcd, slipping the dark
lsatin over her head. But she
'seethcd furlously as she snapped
1T up and fastened her diamond
clips at her cars and breast. She
was sick of the almost as
i.s.ck OF il as she was Of this
place Something must happen
soon. She couldn't carry on this
ridiculous masquerade IN NC h
E1onger-not even for Barry
Fielding. If he thought more Of
this awful country and this
blonde than he did of her
But she went out to the living
room looking tall and regal and
serene.
Slim, dark Rcnaldo. in spot
less whites. was handsome gal
liant, and Barry, with his broad
shoulders, his clcan-cut fca-
lures, his engaging grin, looked
the spirit Of conviviality.
Over the shining, hand -hewn
mahogany table they toasted
Renaldo, the candlclight gleam-
ing on their copper cups Of wine
Il wish Tor you many, many
Happy years on the plantation"
IAllison cried.
Renaldo's black eyes held a
sudden CLEAN as they met Ali
lsOn's across the table. His voice
Twas low, vibrant with tense
Questioning.
MAY hope the same 70.
Iyou?" he said.
Barry glanced sharply at tie
girl. She ignored the significant
tone and went on smiling warm