The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-06-18
TREACHERY
CHAPTER XIV

opened his heavy eyes Barry
could not think where he was.
His cropping consciousness told
him it must be the jungle. Yet
it wasn't. The swaying branches
and vines above him were shad-
oWs on the gray of ceiling. A
dull alarm echoed through him,
sharp presentiment of disap-
pointment. He was not on his
Wy through the jungle.
I He raised his head and found
he was in his bed in the estan-
cia. A pool Of yellow sunshine
lay on the floor before the win
dow. And at the edge of it,
Lila was sitting in low chair.
She rose and came over quick
ly.
How do you feel?"
There was look of sharp con-
Germ, almost irritation, in her
dark eyes as she bent over him.
Barry groaned. How'd | get
back here he complained.
Tony brought you"
He cursed silently.
She gave him quick and
sympathetic half smile. Il
know she said 1T is mad
dcning TO have ones plans up
set
His watch told him il was al
ready o'clock. Sounds of activ
ity in the clearing were drifting
in through the window Barry
raised himself on an elbow and
looked out, even as he asked,
whats going on out there?'
He could see for himself. A
dozen Indians were packing the
blocks of chicle into waterproof
bags and fastening them secure
j. TO the sides of the small pack
mules.
Barry watched the scene with
satisfaction, thinking with re
spcct of the hours of dangerous
and difficult labor that had gone
into the blocks Of chicle.
80 the chicle train is really
leaving for Puerto BarrioS,"
Lila came back into the room
with his coffee. He saw now
that her black hair was done
high on her head Her white
sheer dress. the yellow flower in
the coils of her hair carried a
freshness into the room. She
propped his pillows .expertly
and fixed his napkin.
Since you couldn't make the
trip into the Quichc country
she said softly, how about rest
ing today and going with me on
the mule train? A boat leaves
Puerto Barrios for New York
next week.
Barry slipped his coffee slow
ly He felt weak, but well. The
fever had run its course again.
He said with relief, mo. I'm
all right. III be able to start
again tomorrow morning. Alli-
son was right. l had no business
to try it yesterday"
She had moved to the window
and was watching the loading.
Did it ever occur to you" she
asked, in her low voice, that
the company might prefer your
coming home and sending new
man down here?'
Sure. it has," Barry shrug-
gcd. But I'm sending my re-
knat
guy couldn't do much if | don't
get Strengthened around with
Moncha Suma.'
She gave a cry of exaSpcra-
ton. "Moncha Sumal I've heard
nothing but Moncha Suma ever
since | arrived, Can't you ever
think of anyone clse?' She
crossed to his bed and sank
down on the edge of it, her eyes
sombcr dark pools. Me, for
Instance
He grinned little shccpish-
~. Its not that l love the old
boy more than you, s,yeetheart
It's just that 1t more important
TO the war effort right now
that he loves me than that YOU
do.
Il see. I'm just another war
widow
We'll, you're not alone there,
Barry consoled humorously.
Anger smoldcred suddenly in
her ark eyes, frightened her lips.
Alone or not, she burst out, Il
don't like it" She rose and
faced him in open fury And
war effort or mott don't think
you've been neglecting Allison
Topping
Barry regarded the furious
girl with dismay. oh, come on
now, Lila he rcbuked That's
not cricket. / admit Allison did
go out of her way that first
night on the boat to put on a
predatory act for you. But
she's not that type at all
Really Lila laughed icily
Since when did you learn so
much about women?"
You've been here a couple
of weeks now" Barry argued
Couldn't you see she's all
! wrapped up in this plantation?
And there's Renaldo--"
Cant you see,' retorted Lila
with bitter scorn, that she S
using them both as bait for you?
The plantation-to show you
how smart she is--Renaldo to
make you jealous"