THE BROKEN WAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 16

THE BROKEN WAY

CHAPTER XIII Marion sat afc a table in her bedroom, trying to decide what to do. She held a pen in her hand, and had commenced a~ letter. " Dear Bobin," she /had written, and then was at a loss how to proceed. Finally, she decided that any explanation must bo postponed until he had recovered from his attack of fever. She continued: I have come out here to see father, and urn just about to leave to get in toucu with him In tho meantime. I shall be glad if you will continue to keep our marriage a secret. Perhaps you don't know that J ve come out to write nbout the countiy ifor 'tho " Daily Wire." and that I'm taking my work very seriously. I can t tell you ot my future movements until 1 have had a fnlk to father, but I will Get in touch with you when I have finally made up lily mind.—Marion. ' As she was sealing tho letter, Addah came in to announco that Caesaf wished to see hnr, so she went out to the' verandah. ' "Wo should start as soon as possible. I have sent on a ' runner ' to tell your father that we are coming," her man stated. " I am roady to start at once.' Marion said wearily, and returned to the bedroom to seo that her clothes ; were properly packed. _ When she came out again, Boulton was awaiting her, and nodded approval when she handed him the letter, and said' that she was leaving at once. "I shall wait a day or two oefore I givo your note to Hayne. I imagine it will "be a bit of a shock, and hell • want all his strength to meet it, ho said quietly. . „ " Do as you think best. • " Have you said anything about this wretched business? It's just as well I should know, and then I shall in a better position to handle him. " I've not mentioned it. Indeed, I ve said very little. I shall be glad if you will refrain from discussing me with h ™He will be sure to bombard me that vr» forbidden you to answer them. "Wha? are your plans? The Governor is bound to kick up a fuss, and I shall be blamed." ~ , . . „ " You're quite capable of defending yourself. You're not in any way re- . sponsible for my presence here. You could only havo kept mo from coming by using force, and I don't suppose he would expect you to have done that. Well, good-bye, Mr. Boulton. Many thanks for your kindness, she said, and held out her hand. " I intend to see you again as soon as I can arrange a meeting. It Will be /necessary for me to have.a conference with your father over the M business, and he will probably send for me. Marion, think of me I love ' you so much, and, perhaps-^-^- « I'm sick of men, and their so-called love. Good-bye," she repeated, and got into her hammock. 1,,,™, ' An order from Caesar, and the boys started away at a steady pace.: Marion fixed the canvas shelter so that she was well shaded ffom the heat of the sun, and turned on her side so that she could view the passing country. But her eyes were dull and listless and soon were closed. Life had lost its savour, and she had ceased to care what happened to her. Now, that the dreaded bloWhad fallen, she realised the depth of her love for Robin. Yet, she now held him in utter contertipt, and tried to persuade herself that she hated him. . Caesar came beside the hammocK, and walked for a while ill silence; * "I hope you are not lit for an attack of fever," he remarked politely. "No. I'm alt right, Mr. Caesar, she answered quickly. " You know that I am writing articles Oil the country. *' " Yes. YoU were edgitating over your articles?" "I'm dealing with white men and , ■ their native wives. I'erhaps you can give me some information." . "I have strong personal opinions on the subject. My father was white, and I am nothing. My mother's people despise me, while white people hardly V think I'm human. A man who is responsible for bringing half-castes into the world is a criminal," ho cried vehemently. Marion gave him a quick glanCo, for it was the first time that he had ißhown any great excitement. A few days of his company had taught her to' respect him for his good qualities, and she Wais sorry that she had hj,. broached the subject. ' " There should be &n ordinance to '**% punish them," he went on impetuously, and then lapsed into tt brooding silence. Marion Continued to question him on various subjects pertaining to the natives, and he answered her with th§ utmost frahkrtess. Already certain 'articles were taking shape in her brain, and later Oft When they caniped, she sat in a dedk-chair making copious notes. It was a relief to be able to force her mind from her thoughts of ttobiri to tho future. Now she realised that she had flayed the part of a coward> leaving hifft on a sick bed and not waiting to ask for an explanation. It seemed impossible to doubt the truth • of the accusation that Boulton had brought against hirti for she reiftem'bered that, after all, she had known Robin only for a short time, and that there might be hidden depths in his . . character of which she had no suspicion. But she realised that she still loved him, and would continuo to love him in spite of anything that he Jiad done. When she retired to her tent sleep was far away, for there was so much to occupy her mind. To-morrow she would be meeting her father who was practically a stranger, and she must decide what to say to him. Should she tell him at once of her marriage, - or should she wait until she had gained some knowledge of , his character? It was difficult to know what was best, and perhaps it would ,be as well to lie guided by events. ■ < • Their march was renewed at daybreak, for there were many miles to he covered. They halted at about 11 o'clock for rest and " chop," and' 'Marion had just lighted a cigarette when there arose loud yells from the jungle, and in a few seconds they were surrounded by a threatening horde of natives. Caesar kept his head and had his men well in hand, but quickly /realised tho uselessness of offering any "defence. A headman came forward and waved back his followers. Theii lie approached 'Marion and stared at licr with undis- ' gilised interest. " What do you want?" Caesar demanded peremptorily in the nativo tongue. (, "1. come from King M'wambrt> He wishes to see white ' mammie,' " tho /headman answered with a grin. " She i« Koing to her father, the big white massa. Perhaps he will take her io see King M'wamba," Caesar 'answered suavely 4 " Tho King wishes her to corno io , him at once." Caesar turned to Marion, and explained to her what the headman had said. " I'm afraid we shall have to go with him. He has received his orders ,/ jind dare not disobey them* King M'walnba will not harm you," ho added. " But I don't wish to go to King , " M'wamba. What will happen if we refuse?" she asked. " Wo shall be taken very forciblv. ''lf you follow my advico yotl will go with good grace. The King knows Sir Simon Hartley, and you will be treated with respect."

By PAUL TRENT Author of "Tha Vow," "Tha Peacemaker.

A STORY OF ROMANTIC ADVENTURE

(COPYRIGHT)

"Very well. I suppose there's. no alternative," she answered with a sigh. Tho bearers came along aud she got into the hammock, while the headman gave orders to his followers. The latter remained with Caesar, walking, by his side while the natives remained at some distance away, but Marion noticed that her little party was completely surrounded. During tho rest of the journey which lasted for three days, they saw littlo of M'wamba's men with tho exception of the lieadftian, who kept in closo touch, until they reached their destination. Marion was taken to the hut that had been occupied by Hayne, and left there with Addah. It was night, and she was tired out, so it_ was a relief to know, when Caesar visited her, that tho King did not wish to seo her until the morning. ( " HaVe you spoken to him yourself? she asked. " Yes. Ho was in a good temper, but I couldn't got him to say why he wanted you. I should imagine it has something lo do with your father. I shall try to gather some information to-night. I don't think there's any reason for you to worry," ho said, with ft show of confidence he was far from feeling. Addah was hovering round with frightened eyes, but Caesar gaVe her orders which kept her busily engaged in preparing dinner for her mistress* Marion was not at all easy in mind, but would not allow herself to give Way to fear. After all, it was an interesting experience that would provide her with excellent copy for tho Daily Wire. SoOn after breakfast Caesar catoO to the hut wearing his best clothes and conducted her to the presence of tho King, who was seated on the golden stool and Wearing a heavy silk cloth and many ornaments of gold. He greeted her with dignity and motioned her to a seat, while he eyed her with undisguised curiosity. " Missy, you daughter my fmridP he began. . t " Sir Simon Hartley is my father, she answered quietly. M'wamba nodded his head ana 106k6d at her reflectively. " I call him friend. Yet, I nO b© atife he be my friend. I tink he go niftke hftd ' palaver' for me," he stated with great gravity. , . 4 "My father doesn't make bad palaver ' " she answered promptly. "I go keep you here until I qpvee if he be fit for make bad ' palaver.' " If you keep me here yoii mak6 bad ' palaver ' for my father. He will not like that," she answered quietly. " You see Massa Hayne? " it Ye§." " What he go do? " " 1 fto savee." " He go get soldier-men? " he asßfid slyly. " I no savee. " You savee plenty, but you no fit tell me ; " He continued to press her with questioiis, to which fehe answered, truthfully, that she knew nothing of the intentions or plans of the District Commissioner. After a while he believed her, but when she expressed a wish to continue her journey he shook his head with decision and she began to Suspeot that he intended to detain her as a hostage. It was she who put an end to the interview by rising and Wishing him " good T morning." He made no pro* test as she went away, accompanied by Caesaf, Whose face bore ail anxiouß ex* pression. "What do you think Of it?" she asked of the latter when her hut was reached. ' " I've been able to get a little information. It seems that the King granted your father sortie concessions) but has gone back on his word and sold the concessions for ft second time. Your father has threatened him with punishinertt ahd he thinks that if he keeps you he will have a hold over ydur father. I believe that to be the position," Caesar said gravely. " What are we to do? " " We can do nothing." "Can't we escape?" she asked eagerly. " Not easily. At any rate, we nlust wait a While before making an attempt." \ " Can't we get a message through, either to my father or to Mr. Boulton? " " I will try. If you will write the letters I will sco what can bo done. King M'wamba is not a fool, and it will bo difficult to deceive hiiii." " I Will write the letters at once." "You remember that I sent a fun* ner to yOur father to say that you were on your Way to meet hirti. Whpn yOU do not arrive he will have inquiries made. Your father knows this country very well and has many friends. Bfefdre long he will find out what has happened to you. I will -come back for the letters." Marion wrote two accounts of her recent interview with the King, placing each in an envelope and addressing one to her father and the other to Boulton. To Sir Simon she added a paragraph: I dxpect yoii Will thiiik me Aii inferfidl nuisance for interfering .With yoU? plana ih this way. I am sorry for the trouble I'fli giving you. If it ia in any ..possible id escape I will join you at Slice. I jtldge the King to be thoroughly frightened as to what is going to happen to him. She was careful td stfike no persdrtal note in her letter nor to make any appeal' for "assistance. Aftor all, she was responsible for the position in which she found herself nnd must strain every effort to obtain freedom without assist* ance. Caesaf returned to say that ho had found messengers, but could not guarantee their reliability. However, she handfcd over the letters and then lay down to rest. When the heat of the sun had diminished she weiit to the door of the hut, where there was no guard, and she found she was free to walk about a§ she wished. She stt'olled along and the mammies Came swarming from their huts, gazing at her in open-eyed astonishment. Littlo piccaninnies toddled up to her and she took one of them in her arms. The mother approached in fear, but she was .reassured when Marion smiled. It .Was a quaint, cuddlesomo littlo tiling, and when she pressed it closely there was a gurgle of adlight. (To bo continued daily)