The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-25

WIN ner tomorrow.
But tomorrow's stream of
events crowded all thought Of Lilli
from his mind.
Cliff heard about it first from
Casey. A band OF vaqueros, prob
ably acting under Madison's or
ders, had ridden through the
plantations and came upon three
rubber gatherers building a lean
to shelter. Recognizing them as
members of a Blackland family
friendly to Cliff, the vaqueros or
dered them off the plantation and
began tearing down their half
finished shack. Just about thai
time Casey a n d his construction
crew CHANGED along, and the vac.
ueros were told in Casey's blunt.
est terms to get out Of the planta,
lions and stay out.
The affair was not merely ar
isolated incident, for the same aft.
ernoon Cliff learned that groups G.
Vaqueros were systematically
visiting every household that hac
been gathering rubber for him, or.
dering the men to keep of the
plantations, a n d when one, NOR
courageous than the rest, refused
Sloan himself had beaten him te
insensibility.
When he heard the news, Cliffs
only comment was. $50 that's the
way it's going to be-" It was
something, he realized, he should
have foreseen, and might have
prevented if he had been more
tactful with Madison. But regrets
were useless. The thing had hap.
pened.
He walked slowly over to the
office, and inside found Janet, her
face so pale he asked anxiously,
whats wrong?"
For a moment she did not an.
swer. then still refusing to meet
his eyes, she said, "I just heard
something ! don't want to be-
lieve."
He could see she was fighting
against unwelcome news, but on a
moment she went on. Don An
tonic left here a few minutes ago.
Remember him?"
"The old fellow you saved from
a beating?"
"You saved him-I didn't. He
told me that his two boys were ur
the river the day your barges
were cut loose. They saw who die
it."
CLIFF whirled. "Who was it," He
almost shouted the words.
Wde-eyed, she looked up al
him. Madison and Sloan"
The blood had risen to Cliff
face. Twice he paced the length
Of the office, then halted before
Janet. why didn't Antonio tell
us sooner" he demanded.
HE was afraid. But today the
vaqueros burned his barn because
the two boys had been working for
Casey. He's leaving tonight to &c
back into the Black1ands where
he'll be safe, and before he went
he told me about Madison. At frs
I couldn't believe it." Wonder
ingly she shook her head. GIVE
known Madison for so many
years. I used to think I knew hin
better than he knew himself. Cliff
it's just not possible he'd do g
thing SO mean and cowardly. VIVA
would he have to gain?"
"Plenty."
"Then you really believe he did
it?"
Cliff Sat down behind his desk.
Lets not kid ourselves, Janet.
Madison loves you and hates me.
He would never have let me get
started here except for two things
First, it gave him an opportunity
to have you near him, and second,
he had every reason to suppose
my gang would start a war with
Vicente. That would be his chance
to jump in and get rid OF the
Blacklanders for all time. The
idea was perfect from his stand
point, but it didn't happen, so
Madison changed his tactics. He's
tried to stir up trouble between
US and the Blacklanders, and
when that didn't work either, he
began trying everything he could
to delay my work and void our
contract. 1ntimidating our work
ers, cutting loose our barges,
that's just part of it. This morning
two Of his vaqueros tried to mix
it up with one of my boys. They
got the beating of their lives, but
all this is slowing us up. We can't
let these things go on-it's better
to have a showdown" Cliff glanc-
ed toward the clock. II think I'll
60 up and see Madison tonight"
Janet looked at his stonily set
face and asked quickly, cliff,
will you do something for me?"
"Of course"
Before you see Madison, let me
talk to Claribel."
"Why?"
Il don't like the way your jaw
is locked"
His face relaxed. but he shook
his head. whats the use of talk
ing to Claribel? She doesn't know
what's going on; she thinks every
thing Madison does is perfect. And
besides, the last time you tried
diplomacy with Claribel, you al
most got me thrown out"
"This is different. She's been
more friendly lately. The very
fact that Madison has to resort to
these tactics shows that Claribel
isn't against you. If she were, she
could simply break your contract
you've always said it was
drawn up that way. Cliff" Janet
pleaded, "let me ride up now. I'll
be back before midnight, and if
1 fail, you can still talk to Madi-
son."
Watching her earnest face, Cliff
smiled in retrospect. Il wonder if
you realize how you've changed
from the girl I used to call a rsb-
bit"
81 know I have. I don't feel
afraid any more. You've kept me