The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-05-07
JUNGLE TRAIN"
CHAPTER vi

piled with solid walls Of bales
and mahogany lumber. Water
proof canvas bags of chicle were
lined in even rows. Dark-skin-
ned natives, their broad backs
glistening with sweat. were
laughing as they worked.
Winding his way through this
crowded, boisterous scene ALI
son saw a tall, dark man. APP
preaching in a perfect fitting
fresh linen suit. His white teeth
cleaned as he smiled his well
come. In one sweeping motion
n took the panama hat from his
head and bowed with formal
dignity.
Miss Topping" he said in
perfect English. Most welcome
to Guatemala"
Allison shifted her eyes from
the stranger to Barry.
"Mr. Renaldo Armada, I'd like
you to meet a friend of mine
from the States, Mr.. Barry
Fielding"
For an instant Renaldos eyes
narrowed as he looked steadily
at Barry
"You, too, are interested in
the chicle business?"
Allison thought she caught a
look of relief cross Renaldos
face when Barry answered good
naturally, Heaven forbid! III
y leave the chewing gum business
to Allison and stick to my min
ing"
"You are a mining engineer"
Renaldo asked.
That's right"
Renaldo offered his arm to
Allison, saying at the same time,
Shall we 60 to the cafe now?
We can talk there more comfort
ably"
The sun was pouring down
like golden molasses and little
puffs Of white dust rose from the
street. A short half block and
Renaldo stopped in front of
small white plaster building
with a dozen umbrella covered
tables along the sidewalk.
Here we are!" Renaldo an
nounced and drew back a bam-
boo chair for Allison. The three
sat down and suddenly three
cups of steaming coffee appear
ed before them.
THE walters her must be psy-
chic" Barry grinned.
"They know when Renaldo
comes it means coffee and
Quick!" The dark man flashed
a smile and took small cham
OILS skin from his pocket. For a
moment-he polished vigorously
on his already too shiny finger
nails, then he turned to Allison.
IL want your stay here to be
most pleasant, Miss Topping.
thought a great deal of your ia
Their, you know, and anything
can do for you will be an honor
to me. l have reserved the best
room in the hotel-you will like
it there"
Allison looked little puzzled.
That will be all right for to-
night but after that I'll be stay
ing at my plantation"
Renaldo smiled patiently.
II was Just getting to that.
You see it is just as wrote you
the whole idea of a young wo-
man running a chicle plantation
is fantastic. The dangers are
great and the discomforts are
beyond description. Frankly,
didn't think you would even
come. Then when got your let
ter I decided maybe it was for
the best that you see for your
self. am easy to get along with.
! knew that we could make some
arrangement where l could look
after things for YOU"
When Renaldo had finished
speaking he turned to Barry.
MIR. Fielding here is familiar
with this country. I'm sure he
will bear out what / say"
Barry's face was a perfect
study in I.told-you-so.
i've been trying to tell Miss
Topping the same thing ever
since we left New York but she
seems to have her own ideas and
III warn you, they're not always
good"
Il think trip to the planta-
ton will be more convincing
than words" Renaldo said short.
ly. I'VE shall start in the morn
ing and after that If you still
want to stay we'll, that, of
course, is up to you"
=. There was a determined set
to Allison's jaw as she said, 81
still think I'll like it,"
Barry lit a fresh cigaret and
tilted back in his chair.
Are you familiar with the
Quiche country" he asked of
Renaldo.
"As familiar as anyone can be
without being Quiche. They
are q strange tribe, you know"
Yes, ] was reading about
them on the way down. How. in
the 18th cepf,,r,, % n~ot~.,