The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-28

O1A4 NV O0N INV
unconsciously he stiffened, for a
deeper note in Janet's voice ard
the way she raised her face told
him She was playing her last card.
"Claribel'-Janet went on more
slowly-''1 know you don't like me
you've told me so. Ever since
Madison wanted to marry me
you've been terrified Id take him
away from New Dixie, but when
he followed me to the States you
wrote me that if I'd send him back
you'd do anything l asked. Didn't
your"
The old lady scowled. On, L
Didn't your"
Yes"
well, 1 sent him back. 1t didn't
matter to you whether l wanted
him or MOTT didn't occur TO you
that l might have loved Madison.
All you looking for vas get
ting him back, Claribel. Now what
about your promise?"
She stopped, and Cliff searched
her face in puzzled wonder. Every
thing about her signaled that she
was fighting in the last ditch and
knew it. but she was fighting with
a cool desperation he never
thought she possessed. Only her
tell-tale hands were SO tightly
clasped the fingers showed white.
Then again he heard her voice.
"Claribel, when Father wiped
malaria out OF the Blacklands, !
heard you tell him in this very
room how grateful everyone in
New Dixie should be to him. He
made it possible for you to grow
those rubber plantations, and he'd
want his country to have the use
of them"
Claribel moved impatiently.
The point is the Blacklanders
don't"
"The Blacklanders loved Father
Just as dearly as the people of
New Dixie loved him." Janet in
terrupted. Think Of the months
he spent working with them in the
fever season. If they knew his
daughter wanted this, I don't be-
lieve the Blacklanders would in
terfere. Give us a chance, Claribel.
If a promise means anything,
you've got to give us a chance"
The voice ceased, the words
trailed into silence. while with
stubby fingers Claribel drummed
on the desk. At last she picked up
a pencil and turned it in her hand.
cts a risk, it's a crazy risk" she
muttered, and abruptly she threw
the pencil down. "A promise is q
promise" Then as if repenting Of
her compliance, she added ~fiercely,
Nov listen here. If l let this Mr..
What's his name - Bogard - 90
back there and the Blacklanders
show the first sign of trouble. III
pull you out of those plantations
so fast it'll make your eyes pop
Cliff could feel the %quickened
beat of his heart-she was about
to say yes!
But now she stopped. Down in
the village a bell had begun toll
ing, and Claribel half rose from
her chair. Through the window
Cliff saw men racing GRO the
fields, and just outside the house
a rider came galloping up the path.
Almost before the horse had halted
the man jumped from the saddle
and burst into the room.
Miss Claribel," he painted the
words, "Vicents's gang burned
that rubber warehouse last night
and dumped everything into the
river. They may be heading this
way. They were down at Wade's
all yesterday afternoon"
"Wade's!' Claribels eyes fixed
on Janet. Didn't you come up
from Wade's yesterday?"
Janet's head moved in an almost
imperceptible nod.
Didn't you hear anything Of
them?" Claribel persisted.
Yes" 1t was a whisper. eve
saw them"
"You saw them, and you deliber-
ately kept it to yourself!' Wrath
fully Claribel's hand banged down
on the desk. For all of you they
might have raided the town." In
mounting anger she whirled to-
ward Cliff. DO you know what
that raid means? 1t mean the
Blacklanders are serving notice
they don't want you around-and
if they don't want you, neither do
l." Thinly the woman smiled.
That junk they threw in the river
belonged to your late lamented
predecessor"
mo" Cliff corrected gently, "it
belonged to me-"
Claribel pried her huge bulk out
of the chair and glowered at the
messenger. Send a rider to bring
in Madison and the vaqueros.' she
ordered. Then go down and tell
Pablo Ramirez to get his plane
ready-he's taking two passengers
back to the coast"
Her eyes. colder than ice, re-
turned to Janet. II don't know
what you're up to, young lady, but
I've never trusted you. You made
a fool of Madison: you won't make
a fool of me. I'll give you and this
Bogard person just ten minutes to
pack"
The door slammed after her.
Slowly Cliff Strengthened. So this
was the end! They were done-and
they had been so near success. For
a second swift anger shook him.
It could all have been so different.
1t would have been different il
Janet had taken his advice. He
had urged her to tell them about
Vicente, but she had known best.
A1u,,v. cha Lpaw host