The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-29
SYNOPSIS
Distributed by King fesivres syndjeo

OAiAA Dug IlskS Ills capital Dy
accepting the U. S. Rubber Div
visions dangerous assignment TO
open up virgin rubber plantations
In New Dixie, South America, a
kind of feudal colony which had
been founded by Americans before
the Civil War. When it's present
head, domineering, old Claribel
Florian, had refused Cliff an
option, fearing it would stir up
trouble with the Bla cklanders a
group of rebellious natives.
Washington had sent down at
tractlve Janet Norman to
straighten things out. Janet knew
the territory, having been brought
up there by her late father, be-
loved doctor of the community.
whose death had occurred during
a recent flood. Janet had her own
reason for coming back, and it was
sufficiently important to have
caused her to forge the credentials
she presented to Cliff. En- route TO
New Dixie from the coast, their
plane is forced down near the
Jungle home Of elderly Wade
Carroll, hunter of wild animals.
Wade discloses that no one knows
the identity of the Blacklanders'
new leader, whom the New Dixie
vaqueros have sworn to capture,
together with Vicente. his lieu
enant. Lilli, attractive young
native girl whom waot adopted
when her parents died, has known
the latter since childhood. While
Wade prepares horses, Vicente
rides out of the jungle and warns
Cliff to give up the rubber project.
However, following a talk with
Janet, he permits them to continue
their journey, with the proviso they
tell no n Of having seen him.
At Claribel's mansion a servant
shows them to rooms. The
following morning Cliff noted the
cold dislike in their hostess eyes
as she GREETED Janet. Two years
before, Madison, Claribel's beloved
nephew, had fallen in love with
Janet and followed her to the
States. Claribel begged Janet to
use her influence to make him re-
turn, promising to do anything for
her if she succeeded. Janet turned
down Madison's proposal. and now,
when Claribel refused to consider
the option, she reminded her of
that promise. Just as Claribel was
about to acquiesce, word arrives
that Vicente and his gang have
burned Cliffs warehouse. Angered
that they did not inform her the
culprit was n the neighborhood,
Claribel dispatches a messenger to
the range for Madison, and orders
Cliff and Janet to leave i'm
mediately.
CHAPTER TEN
TURNING ON his heel, Cliff
walked to the window. Down in
the village the bell still tolled its
warning; crowds had gathered in
the streets, and at the far end of
the pasture men were frantically
saddling horses. His coming had
brought all this about, but it ceased
to conern him now he no longer
shared any part of it. He was done
and for the first time in his life
he knew the Illustration of defeat.
A low sigh beside him recalled
Janet, and at thought o: her he
felt his anger revive.
Somberly he regarded her. The
morning sun was kindling a thou
sand points of fire in her bronze
hair, but her face was pale, and
the dark eyes shadowy with pain.
She was like a child punished with
out knowing why. and even in his
resentment Cliff felt a wave of
sympathy for her-whatever her
motive had been, she too was fac
ing the shattered wreckage of her
hopes.
She looked up at him. "What are
we going to do now?" she whis-
pered. What can we do?"
We're going to pack" In the
quiet room his voice sounded
sharper than he intended. why
don't you face it? You're through"
Through" Blankly she echoed
the word, then in the next breath
blazed at him in a flare Of unhappy
anger. And you're glad I'm
through! Why don't you say it?
You're glad. You wanted me to fail
from the very start. You wanted
to believe that no wonan on earth
knew enough to help you"
"You haven't done much to
change my mind"
She raised both hands to her
lips. I never want to see you"
She started for the door, but his
own hand closed on her arm.
"Wait!" He held her in her
tracks, while she looked at him
out of eyes bright with tears but
too startled even for resentment.
"Quarreling won't get us any
where" he said slowly. "What
ABOUT this MadlSOn? VINO is ne! +
"Claribel's nephew. Let 60 Of my
arm"
Cliffs hand dropped to his side.
Where does he fit in?"
He manages everything for
Claribel-especially the herds OF
cattle. He's head of the vaqueros."
HE seems to be a trained seal
where you're concerned. From
what our charming hostess just
said, you have plenty of influence
with him."