THE BROKEN WAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 15 (Supplement)

THE BROKEN WAY

CHAPTER Xlll.—(Continued) jjarion ran back to tho hut and fetched a packet of plain milk chocolate, which she broke up and distributed among the kiddies. But tho mothers were quick to intervene, taking the sweetmeat away and tasting it carefully. It was f a good for the little ones, who stood looking with"longing eyes. One mammie was chewing wood and vigorously rubbing her teeth with tho pi''?) a more effective instrument than the brush and powder of civilisation. ".-Another was washing herself in front of her hut, unconscious of her nakedness. It was the first chance that she had had of studying the natives in their/.raw state, and she gathered the impression that they were happy and contented with their lot. she had brought a camera, and she devoted the following day to tho taking of photographs, choosing pictures which she thought would be of interest to tho readers of the Daily Wire. At sundown she started to write of the life around her and became engrossed in her subject. Then the idea occurred to her that she would have sufficient material to inako a book. •" What will father have to say to that? " she asked herself, and a laugh escaped her. The sound startled her and slio becahio self-conscious, her thoughts returning to Robin. She had addressed her letter to Boulton. Would the latter pass it on to Robin? If so, what effect would it have? Would, he want to start away at onco to rescue her from tho clutches of the black king? Curiously enough, she did not doubt Robin's love for her or his courage. Three days passed and tho King deiired a further talk to her. ' Suppose I refuse to leave the hut?" she asked of Caesar, who boro the royal message. " That wouldn't bo advisable. Far better humour him. M'wamba is

rumor red to have a hasty temper. I ' should suggest you ' dash ' him a bottle of pore."

1,.) Marion' had brought a case of tho wine, which ; was unopened, so a bottlo was taken by Caesar and handed to the King on their arrival. It was received graciously and a tumbler drunk with loud appreciation, while she waited to learn the reason for the summons.

However, M'wamba appeared to be con

tent to hold a friendly conversation on diverse subjects, and she soon realised that it was a splendid chance to obtain copy for her book. "Where your hfusban' ? " he asked bluntly. " 1110 catph husband," she answered, and was annoyed to fool that her face had become flushed. " Why your father no give you husban'? He bo big white man," insisted the King. ( Marion made no comment, and suddenly M'wamba's face became grave. " I no savee book. What you go say?" he demanded abruptly, and produced the letters she had written to Boulton and her father. " I ask them to come and fetch me away," she answered promptly. The > King's face'became puckered by an angry • fjown. antLvha called to_his headman to, seize Caesar and keep him a prisoner. Marion rose and walked away, maintaining her composure with difficulty, but no attempt was made to detain her. As soon as the hut was reached she subsided into her chair, for it looked as if , the situation had become serious. However, she was determined not to give way to her fear, and she succeeded in swallowing the food that was brought to her by Addah. " Caesar tied up and no can come," the maid explained. " He tell you, no be frightened." "All right, Addah. We will keep our peckers up," Marion answered lightly. "Peckers?" Addah asked curiously. " Courage," explained Marion. , "I no savee um," the girl answered Tvith a puzzled look. * Marion lay on her camp-bed, wondering what was the best thing to be done. A glance at, her luminous-faced watch and she saw that it was after midnight. What could she do? Suddenly she heard -a sound in the hut and seized the automatic pistol, which was under hdr pillow. " Don't speak aloud. Don't move till I tell you,"'was said in a whisper. A sporigo , was placed in her hand ■which was wet with some sticky liquid. " Don't talk..Rub your face with the «ponge. Then your arms and body down to your feet." Then she recognised the voice with its note of command. It was her father who had come to rescue her, and she must not fail him by lack of nerve So she stripped off her clothes and began to carry out his instructions. Neither spoke until she had finished, and then he gave her a native cloth and she swung it round her body. " Follow, me," he whispered, and they crept along for a few yards and then he raised himself. There was a little light from the ■' istars, and saw that her father's skin had been stained and that he, too, was wearing a cloth. Not a word was ispoken till they had got clear of the huts. " I can't leave Addah," Marion said •abruptly. " Come rflong and don't talk. I sup;.pose Addah is your maid. She'll be all right," ho said curtly. . "And Caesar? " she insisted, i " M'wamha won't dare harm any of . .your party. Don't talk. We've got to hurry, and you'll need all your breath," | he said dryly. CHAPTER XIV Marion hastened along by her ; father's side', finding some difficulty in ; keeping pace with nim. No word was i .spoken until some distance had been y covered, and then he gave a sharp \ 'Order, in a native tongue, and they were quickly surrounded by a number 1 '°f natives, liy the dim light she managed to make out the outlines of a ' haninioek, whjch was brought close to | her. I " Oct in,"/ Sir Simon said curtly, k ; °ihl she obeyed him promptly, g. They set off at once, covering the tj I ground rapidly,- her father marching ' by her side. Soon her eyes closed and p ißhe fell into a sound sleep, from which ii ißhe did not awaken until their destinaJj tion was reached. Marion jumped from | the hammock, and laughed heartily at t *."? sight of her bare limbs, with the I ißkin stained to a dark brown. I "Go into the hut," Sir Simon J; 'Ordered her curtly. " Here's some stuff, B ithat will take off the .colour. 1 will I you sonic clothes of a sort. You will u 'have to cu't down a pair of flannel | trousers."

laughed lightly, as she took the 'things from him, but the severo expression did not leave his face, '" See thijt you are ready, in half-an-hour. You and X have to have a Serious talk," he said grimly. " I should like nothing better. It ''■' ill be the first that we've ever had," Rjie said quietly, and disappeared into the hut.

The stain r was easily removed, and snp wasted, no time, bearing in mind, the 130 minutes he had givon her. By iWO expiration of that_ time, she was *cady for him, seated in a deck-chair,

V By PAUL TRENT Author of "The Vow," "Tke Peacemaker." etc.

A STORY OF ROMANTIC ADVENTURE

nnd smokinjr a cigarette. First, a native " boy " dressed in a suit of wnito drill, : came in and prepared a table for ! brenkfast, giving her friendly grins as he worked. "Whose boy are you?" she asked. "1 be boy to Big White Massa," ho answered proudly. 4 » As ho spoke, Sir Simon appeared, nnd sat down in the other deck-chair. There was a frown on his faco as he made a coldly critical inspection of his daughter. _ " What possessed the boy to tie himself up to such an irresponsible person as yourself? " he remarked wonderingly. " To whom do you refer? What are you talking about? " sho asked in surprise. " I refer to young Hayne. Ho'b just the sort of man we need, in this country." " Why do you associate mo with Robin Hayne? " " Aren't you responsible for this? Didn't, you marry him?" " How do you know? " " Ho told mo, in spite of your orders that he should keep the marriage a secret. What was your idea in making such . a request? Did you marry in haste, and repent—well, your repentance does not seem to have been leisurely," lie remarked dryly. " I had good and proper reasons for what I did." " A woman's reasons. You may as ■well tell mo tho whole story, but kindly make it as short sas possible," he said wearily. " It's soon dono. I married Robin Hayne, and quickly discovered 1 had mnde a mistake. I think that's all you need know," sho stated, with quiet decision. Ho looked at her steadily, and appeared to be making a fresh study of her, in view of tho attitudo she had assumed. However, he did not press for her confidence, and signalled to the boy to serve breakfast. They ate in silence, but Marion realised that she was being weighed-up, and was inclined to resent it. " You consider the past to be your own concern, and perhaps you're right, for I haven't troubled much about you," he remarked thduglitfully. " I don't suppose you've given me a thought." " But you've come out here without my consent, or the consent of the man you married, therefore, I'm going to concern myself in your immediate present. I propose to ship you home, just as quickly as possible," he announced quietly. " With or without my consent? " " Quito right. Already you have interfered with my plans, and I'm not going to give you a second chance of doing it."

" You forget that I'm of age. Moreover, I'm here as a representative of the Daily Wire, and I intend to remain until I've completed my job. Last night has afforded mo excellent copy. Your friend Sir Lionel Mather will love my description of you, got up as native," she cried merrily. " You will gof straight home," ho cried curtly. " I've not the slightest intention of doing so," she answered smilingly. " There's going to be serious trouble and the country is no place for a white woman." " This white woman intends to stay."

As she spoke, she recognised Caesar's voice raised in expostulation, and she rose to her feet, running to the door of the hut. To her great relief, she saw that the whole of her little company were there, together with her boxes. All that M'wamba had retained were the rifles and ammunition. It appeared that the King had become greatly alarmed when it was discovered that Marion had escaped, for he had lost his hostage, and might be punished for theft if he kept her belongings.

" I have a message for your father from the King," Caesar announced. " Then you may give it to me," said Sir Simon, who had appeared at the door of the hut.

" M'wamba says that he only detained your daughter as an honoured guest and did so so that she should suffer no harm. He wishes you to hold another ' palaver ' with him, and promises you that he will do whpt is right. I'don't believe what he says, sir. I think he wishes to keep you from acting, until he has completed his preparations," said Caesar. " I'm inclined to agree with you. I thank you for the way you have looked after my daughter. She was fortunate in her choice of a leader," Sir Simon said quietly. " Thank you, sir. I have had a very anxious time."

" Get your ' chop,' and then I will talk to you. I wish you to conduct my daughter to the railway and I will think over the safest way of getting there," said Sir Simon and gare him a nod of dismissal.

Marion was standing near, talking to Addah, who was wildly excited, for she thought she had lost her mistress. " Father, haven't you forgotten that Caesar is my servant —paid by me, and should look to me for his orders? " Marion, said quietly, and followed him back to the hut, where he reseated himself and went on with his breakfast. She sat down and watched him with angry eyes, for be had taken no notice of what she had said. It was her turn to examine him, and she became oonseious of a reluctant feeling of pride that she should be the daughter of such a man, for he formed her ideal type He was the born leader with his natural air of authority and his stern cast of features. Yet, she suspected that bis eyes could soften and twinkle with humour, and she decided to put it to the test. " Sister Francis sent her love to you," she announced airily. " Sister Francis? " he repeated questioningly. " Yes. Agatha Francis. She's one of your worshippers—don't you know? " she asked sweetly. " She is a most capable woman with no nonsense. I wish you could acquire some of her good qualities." " I'm quite conscious I don't meet with your approval. Please tell me how I shall amend my manners," she said demurely. " I'm amazed that the Governor should have allowed you to set out 011 this mad expedition. I thought he had more sense." " Most men lose their heads when thev fall in love." " Good heavens! Has the man been such a fool? " " Sir Alan Fosdyke is supposed to be a man of sound judgment." "So you-—a married woman —have been flirting with him? " " No. Ho has been trying to make love to me. I discouraged him in every wav," she answered lightly. " It strikes me that you're a minx and the sooner you're out of the country the hotter for everyone concerned. What are. you going to do about this husband of*yours? In common decency you must announce the marriage." " I'm not going to be commonly docent. I hate Robin Hayne, and I shall never live with him again," she cried vehemently. " He struck me as being a good man. I thought you had been extremely fortunate in your choice. What has the poor devil done to offend your ladyship? Flirting with some other woman, I suppose—but he didn't stay very long .at Accra. You had better think well before you take extremo step. Hayne is not the sort to be treated lightly and come to heel at a

"(COPYRIGHT)

word. Well, it's your own ' palaver,' nnd I'm not going to interfere. You may as well rest* here to-night, and be ready to start at day-break. I will give Caesar careful instructions as to route and so on," he wound up and left tho hut. Marion was tempted to call him back and to settle tho issue there and then, but decided that it would be wiser to give some thought to her plans before making them known to him. In any case she would refuse to bo hustled home like a naughty child. After a while she took out a writing tablet and * began to composo an adcount of all that had happened during tho last few days. Sho treated tho incidents with a light touch and drew a humorous picturo of her father's appearance on tho scene, taking a mischievous delight in describing his make-up as a native. As sho wrote sho knew that he would be furious if ever ho should read her copy, but this did not deter her. Sir Lionel Mather would welcome it heartily and the readers of the Wire would bo equally delighted with so intimate an account of tho personality of tho illusive Sir Simon Hartley. It was not until dinner was served that her father returned, and during the meal he appeared to bo preoccupied in mind. After they had finished eating, he rose and walked to tho door, but sho called him back. "Don't you think we. had better avail ourselves of the. chance of getting to know 0110 another a little? After all, wo are daughter and father, and you're just as ignorant of me as I am of you. Isn't that a state of affaire that should be remedied? " she asked mockingly. Sir Simon gave her a look of surprise, and hesitated, but a laugh escaped him, and he sat down again. " Probably you imagine that a mere woman is not worth the knowing. But you can have no experience of tho modern type," she said with a smile. " If you are a fair type " " I can guess what you were going to say. Now for our serious talk. 1 toll. you, quite frankly—l'm not going home." " You can't Rtav here. There will probably be fighting." "I might go to headquarters. Mr. Boulton is a friend of mine." " But your husband is there. Wouldn't it be awkward to meet him? Boulton is coming to meet me for a conference, and you would bo alone with Haync." " Have you heard from Mr. Boulton? Did he say if Robin —if Mr, Havne was better?" she asked eagerly. " 1 can see no objection to your staying for a while at the headquarters of the District Commissioner. Hayne is, after all, your husband, nnd you won't need a chaperon," he said with a touch of malice. " I feel quite safe with Caesar. will leave here in the morning nnd I will be guided by events —or the whim of the moment." Sir Simon was becoming interested in this daughter of his, and perhaps there was a dawning pride mingled with the interest. Certainly she did not know the meaning of fear, and she appeared to possess qualities that he thought to be confined to his own sex. It was a pity that she were not a boy, for he might have trained her to follow in his steps. " Why did you marry Hayne P " he demanded abruptly. "For the same reason you married my mother—because I loved him. There's no need to frown because I mentioned my mother. I have no reason to love her memory." " What do you mean? " " 1 am supposed to have been responsible for her death. And hor death seems to have deprived me of both parents, for you died so far as I was concerned. Was it fair of you to dislike me on her account? Was 1 to be blamed for her death? " sho demanded vehemently. Hartley was essentially fair-minded, and he could not deny the truth of her accusation. • For the first time he began to understand that he had treated this child of his with almost criminal negligence, and he found liimhelf softening toward her. " I've not disliked you. It was only that you made me remember —what I had lost. You are very like her," he said musingly. " I suppose it's too late to start."

" To start —what? " " The foundations of a friendship. I know I'm dreadfully spoilt, but you're to blame for it. I believe I have some good qualities, and might improve under your good influence." There was a lightness of manner that caused him to wonder if she were really serious in what she was saying, but he could not deny that she was interesting him. "1 should imagine that Hayne would

be the better man to train you. He

would probably have more patience with your whims and fancies than I should have. Besides. I know nothing at all about the inoclern female. From

all one reads, she seems to be an impossible person;" he said lightly.

"It's unwise to believe all one reads. Still, I'm sorry you don't seem inclined to accept my offer. I don't suppose I shall be inclined to make it a second time," she remarked, and then began to laugh. " You are easily amused." " It is rather a funny feeling to have such an offer refused. Men usually make a fuss of me, and treat 1110 as though I'm of some consequence." " Now that I look at you, I can seo that it's quite possible that men should be attracted by you. To be quite candid, I've never thought about such people as yourself. As you know I've been home very little, and society bores me. I'm trying to regard things from your point of view, and I admit that you have just grounds for complaint. Just now you were good enough to suggest that we might try to be friends, and if the* offer is still open, I' will take advantage of it." " Splendid," she cried, and standing up, held out her hand. After a monrent of hesitation he took it, and she gave his hand a hearty shake. ' " I should hate to bo a nuisance, but 1 should simply love to remain with you for a few days. I assure you I don't need a nurso to look after me. I'm quite a useful shot with a rifle, and 1 don't think I'm unduly nervous if there's any danger." Sir Simon thought for a few moments before he made his decision. "All right. You can remain foir a while. I am going to send an answer to M'wamba's message, and you can stay till I hear what he says." ''What are you going to say to him? He's an amusing scoundrel, and I don't altogether dislike him." "I'm going to summon him to hold the 'palaver' here, but I doubt if ho will come. He's as cunning as a cart load of monkeys and one never knows when one has got him. The District Commissioner will be in charge of the 'palaver.' By the bye, I wish it was Hayne and not Boulton. Your husband is worth a half-a-dozen of the other man." " You seem to have taken a fancy to the man I married," she remarked dryly. 1" I've learnt to know a man when I meet one. Hayne is the tvne to rule the negro. Since I learnt he was my son-in-law I have caused a number of inquiries to be made among the natives, and my reports are uniformly satisfactory." (To be continued dally)