The evening world. Newspaper, October 14, 1922, Page 14

hha WHO'S WHO IN THE STORY. PETER CABOT, adventurer, from Harvard, by way of France, in Mexico. MENDOZA, the chief to whose fortunes Peter has pledged his abilities VON HEINRICH, adventurer, but of another type, and Men- doza’s sworn enemy. PRISCILLA AMORY of Boston also, as charming a butterfly hunter as ever handled a net. MISS PATIENCE AMORY, her aunt, not so enthusiastic ‘about entomology. YVE of adventure automatic. Then, blindingly, the glare is to some men Of @ pocket searchlight fell full upon him, piace “Drop that Iight—or I'll shoot!"’ love of women is to oth- Startled, he spoke in English. The ers. Peter Cabot light wavered, but did not fall. was born with it. “Please don't be so impulsive,’’ It took him out of SUsKested a fresh contralto votce. “If this particular jungle happens to be- Harvard and tong to you I'll proffer apologies and across to France pay the damages. I'm only collecting long before tise moths, you know.” United States A girl! An American girl, slim, breeched and booted, prowling about stirred and spoke, the Campino Real at midnight, ac- and then, when companied by peons! The lght that this weary old still played upon him must have re- world relaxed to peace once more, it vealed his amazement, for she laughed took him down into the most troub- —‘ieliclously: lous of Peter ci to. of troublous States tn the more what ure you doing here or less sovereign State of Mexico. manded. In {ts rank, steaming, unventilated ‘I just told you—collecting moths Jungles there are mahogany trees five Or perhaps you call them butterfiles and six feet through, drugs and dye- ort People do. Come here and en woods, ffults and subtle olls. And in feid tha aad oe {ts mountains are silver and gold, ho held the light, she reached out her hand for it. C0} pper and lead, tungsten and coal, ‘rie tight, for a brief instant, ilu- " he de- sometimes two and three togethe: . 2 ” Peter's professed interest was in this mined her face, Peter's | instant vast untapped reservoir of the things ‘Mousht was that it matched her man covets. He went into Mendoza's hare- , “The man,” she sald softly, “has brained insurrection, not because he frsotten me. You have; haven't wanted to—so he assured himself— ¥°U, Peter Cabot?” but because a white man couldn't , “Forgotten you! stand aside and seo a transplanted !mancly. Hun and a lot of renegade Mexicans ,, “Completely,” she assured him get away with it. “which is unforgivable. But, then, the Jf Von Heinrich, who had s only reason I remember you was that Poco A Poca and established a little Your hair would never stay slicked autocrecy there, was given a chance down.” She glanced at him. “It's as to grow, heaven only knew how far Ted and as unruly as ever—isn't it? the roots would run. Mendoza wan Peter was belond words. unquestionably a patriot of the first ‘Then—you are from Boston?’’ water, but no soldier. The best type Isn't the world small, after of the true Mexican aristocrat, he 7" she mocked. “I'm Priseill exclaimed Peter had pledged life and fortune to his A™mory—Prof. Amory’s daughter. You adventure; strategy and subterfuges ™ust remember him——" by which battles are won he knew _ ‘I remember it now!"’ exclaimed nothing of. Peter, ‘You fought with Dick Stur- They were encamped, this night, in &1%——' the patio of an abandoned hacienda ‘“Spare my blushes,"’ she murmured. which squatted at the base of a chal- ter grinned, lenging mountain, Against the black ‘I, remember {t perfectly. ‘I told mass of this, like a scattering of YoU.’ you said to him, ‘that if you Jewels, lights of a city shone out bril- “dn't stop teasing me, I'd hit you. Hantly. Beyond, and higher still, less- And I will.’ And," concluded Peter er lights and a great glow marked the Teminiscently, ‘you did." “But what,” Position of an ancient silver mino be demanded, ‘are you doing — which had been paying since the days ve already told you, I'm collecting of Drake. moths, From the mine to the nearest rai)- ‘“‘But in Mexico?" he protested. road was a three days’ journey and . ‘YoU sound just like Aunt Patience throvgh Poca A Poca, perforce Amory. Why not?” Peter hesitated passed the mule-team trains, heavily “If you are thinking,” she went on, jaden with treasure, from which Von “that it is dangerous, and trying to Heinrich took his toll. ‘Only a mad- Convince me so, please don't bother man would think of trying to take The Mexicans, man, woman and child ft by direct assault,’ Peter mused, 8T@ scared blue of me. They think Mendoza joined him. i I'm a witch—becauso I collect moths Mi oh dattos and bugs, you know. They think | ma Cae use them for a charm, These men” Site: tala taunay she nodded toward her escort~ “I'm thinking that our only chance /cOMe only because they dare not re Ites in springing a surprise of some Ane Heelies” “she aioe, lRnT salad ed a ae Ube Aunt Patience Amory is with the camp fire—"spolls any chances of that. It is vistble from the elty, of course’ ‘That 18 well!" exclaimed Mendoza. "The old fox knows that the avenge: are at hand. His heart lls with fea To-night, his sleep will be troubled. I only hope,’ Peter retorted grim- ly, “that he'll think it's @ mule-train “you are me. “Here? With you? In Mexico?" Priscilla nodded. “She forbade me to come, and I for- bade her to come, but we both refused to obey."” Her voice and eyes became + grave. ‘Father died’'—her voice broke ever so slightly—“‘last year. He and I had planned to take this trip togeth- team, waiting until daylight comes ¢ and I—T felt as if I must come. Bafire cnaking the ascent.’” And that's the whole story—except “But you forget,"" Mendoza remind- that we're here—or, rather, up in ed him, ‘that the mule-team train is Poco A Poca. not due back until to-morrow night. “But you can't stay here!'’ he ex- But then we will hold the city claimed, ‘“'It's not safe. “Vl say we won't,” said Peter to _ Priscilla was no longer listening. himeelf. Her eyes had wandered to the tree be Peter's thoughts ran round Ike a fore which they stood. Coated with squirrel in a cage. Mendoza'’s ragged 80me strange substance, it was be- legion, relaxing about their fire, were Sleged by beetles, bugs, ants and listening to one of thelr number sing- butterfile ing some old folksong and accom- | “Quick! panying himself on the mandolin, Spanish. The singer had a votce of rare beauty; One of her escort handed her a box it filled the night with romance, deal- She, with swift skill, captured a huge ing with the loves and battles of some butterfly—itse wing must have spread Mexican bandit: at least nine inches—and dropped it “In the load of henequen he hid into this, She worked on, taking the himself, specimens she wished, while the two she commanded, in Through the night !t bore him Mexicans seemed to anticipate her Into the stronghold of his ene- wants. At last she stepped back mies'’- “A good night's haul,” she mur ‘Thus, roughly translated, ran the mured absently. Then, as she caught burden of the lay. sight of Peter, she added; **Why-—I'd “Listen!"* said Peter: “I've got a utterly forgotten you. And'’—she acheme"’—— glanced at the luminous face of her Mendoza Ustened. As Peter finished wrist-watch—‘time as well, Aunt he swept him into his great arms. Patience will be having what she calls “Thou art revealed,’ he exclaimed ‘conniption fits.’ fervently, ‘as the true agent of Peter could manage no smile heaven, I salute thee!” And he did— match hers. on both cheeks. “Promise me you'll leave Poco A Poca at once—to-day,"’ he said sober- ly. “why?” Peter hesitated—the Mexicans were to ETER would have been more re- assured had he felt certain Von Heinrich was planning no sur- m heeitaved : eying him intently. prises. Long after he had bade Men- “".1 ‘they understand English?” he doza goodnight he lay awake, looking asked up atthe stars. At last he rose and “I don't think so. passed, unchallenged, out of the patio, _ “Listen," he said; “They won't un- . sete ** derstand, but you will, “There'll be The Campino Real—the old king's 4 ,¢¢ time in the old town to-night. highway—was but a few hundred feet }fer eyes glowed. distant. He went apt there and stood Really!" she exclaimed “r ankie-deep in the ancient dust. The wouldn't miss it for anything.” lights of Poco A Poca were dying out, “You must go,"' he persisted. ou though « few glowed, All was well, haven't the slightest idea what it efter all— means when these Mexicans run ‘He stopped-short and caught his loose."’ h. There was movement in the “I live in an old hacienda that's feed just ahead, He reached for hiv built like « fortress,’ ake mid him 4 ’ “And you forget Aunt Patience. If you think she is nothing, you ought to hear her tejl about an early an- cestress of ours who put to flight a band of marauding Indians. Peter wished he might shake her out of her smiling serenity, The re- alization of what would happen in Poco A Poca should his stratagem succeed and Mendoza's men run loose appalled him. Priscilla, Nowever, merely looked the moreamused. ‘I was going to ask you to call when you came to Poco’ “1'N call," he promised grimly, “the minute I get there.’* HE Mexicans fell behind, and Ap Peter walked beside her. They were being swiftly drawn toge- ther, because they were strangers In @ strange land, because they had much in common, because they were young. Peter had gone not a mile before she stopped short. You mustn't come a step farther,” she commanded. Peter knew that she was right e So he stopped, his eyes on her. In them Was a question which she read aright. He was making a last plea. But sho shook her head “Just now, I fear Aunt Patience more than any Mextcan revolution you ever saw," she said. “It's the first time I've ever been out so late."” She offered her hand as she added, night—and good luck, Peter Cabot."* This time he took it, holding it rather longer than he knew—but not longer than she knew. He watched her disappear, and then, turning, strode along swiftly and walked into his captors’ arms, believing them Mendoza's men. So it was that the sun over the distant horizon, discovered him on his way to Poco A Poca, not as a conqueror but as a prisoner, with arms ignominiously bound. shooting up Peter and his captors passed within the hoary old walls of the city. Word of his coming sped ahead, so that when the plaza was reached it was well filled “This,” groaned Peter inwardly, “ig worse than being shot at dawn, I feel like a clicus parade, only mo: The most imposing structure facing upon the plaza proved to Von Heinrich's headquarters. The tun nel-like entrance gave access to a great patio with stone flags Here Peter was held for a ti The com- parative coolness was r , and he r od a little, Presently a sud den outburst from the house dis tracted his attention. A woman was speaking in Spanish passionately and tempestuously, and so swiftly that Peter could not follow what she said. A man's voice interrupted, gutteral and explosive; then a door slammed An instant later, a girl, Oriental in coloring but exotically beautiful, stepped out onto the balcony over his head. Then a guard appeared and he conducted within, was to face Von Hein- rich, The Prussian was at breakfast He was a huge man, with massive shoulders and square-hewn head He looked at Peter # y and smiled in a wolfish way “I've heard of you,"’ he said, in ex cellent English, “You're with Men doza I'm afraid that you have not —a * 1 ON TRIGWIE breakfasted yet, and I’m equaliy afraid that I can’t invite you to join me—as I might have if your sympa- thies had been more wisely placed in the beginning. Or,’ he continued, “ed I still may—tf *you prove amenable,"’ Peter suddenly saw light. “1,” he said, “am afraid I shall not brenkfast.”* Von Heinrich waved « great hand. “Why be foolish?* he suggested. “There are no reasons why Mendoza should claim your unfaltering al- legiance, and it would amuse me tp know what that madman plans." “I'm afraid there are several rex- sons,"’ interposed Peter. “Thank you," acknowledged Von Heinrich. ‘‘If there are any letters you care to write, I'll see that they are forwarded." Peter doubted. he said, “Then I'll bid you good morning,” said Von Heinrich. He turned and, with instant change of manner, sharp- ly addressed Peter's guard in Spanish. “I hold you responsible for the pris- “There are none,"’ hort and sweet,’’ thou ‘All set for the final act—but wil I shot? » would not ve Von Heinrich the satisfaction of his asking. And so he found himself escorted back through the plaza to the ancient city prison Here his arms were 1 1 and he was locked in a cell and left to self communion . He ate and drank and was re- freshed. He decided that {t was un doubtedly 110 outside in the sun and not less than 120 inside “Apparently I'm to done brown and then shot,” he decided. ‘Only, I wish somebody would come in now and then and te me, When I'm dead, I may be a hero for whom a tear or two will drop,’’ he assured himself. “But while I’m alive, I'm a plain boob.—and it is to laugh He stretched out on the damp floor with his arm under his head, wer stantly to sleep. HEN he awoke, the WW shrouded in’ murk they have 1 isn’t likely,"? he get practice morrow morning.’ Nevertheless the creaking of the cell door at that moment brought his feet “I've fresh thought, postponed un him to just heard,’ contralto voice, herg.”’ The cell door shut; they were alone went on, ‘did it appen? got yoy, I mean ster pulled himself together {ow did you get in here?" he de manded. Though he could not see her, dimly, he knew she was Smiling lilt in her voice told him that. “You forget that I'm a witch and ean work spells.’ You mean the guards let you walk announced a “that you're had creaked “How,” she That they The in “Oh, 1 Just fluttered a piece paper under their nose They we afraid to touch it—-or—me—and umed that it was a pass, as 1 they would, 1 imagine they're er: ing themselves yet Her strategy plainly amused her but Peter was hast. "THE EVENING WORLD, SATURDAY, OOTOBER 1%, T9292, PO) MINN ©E ANID EDYNRAING “The sooner you go the better,” he said grimly. ‘When Von Heinrich gets win dof this'’—— “Please don't be silly,"’ she cut in. “Why lose valuable time arguing about that when we ought to be plan- ning? There must be some way out. “There tsn't,"" he declared positive- ly. He refused to have her mixed up In this game. “If I were @ man," she commented, “I eimply wouldn't give up. I'd do something.” “Something,” murmured Peter, ‘‘is good.” Steps in the corridor caused Peter to push his visitor into the shadow. A guard appeared at the door. The guard merely motioned him out of the cell. Peter hesitated ever so briefly, and then obeyed. He saw a squad of Von Heinrich’s men outside, and he dared risk no delay that might disclose Priscilla’s presence to them. “Any of you chaps speak English?” he demanded. Then, as their eyes re- vealed no hint of understanding, he added, ‘‘Well then, I'll tell the world that the thing to do 1 to lle low for a while and then beat it while te beating’s good,”’ He heard Priscilla's swiftly taken breath; he feared she might speak But the cell door clanged shut behind him, and the guard bent to lock tt “Why go to all that trouble?"’ de manded Peter quickly. ‘I'm outside, you know The gu waiting squad formed He was led outside, un: O he let himself be led down S the narrow street that led into the plaza, The ancient square was brilliantly Mghted, and a band was playing. But neither light nor music penetrated Peter's cold fears. It was not until he found himsesif at headquarters that he roused him- self. The countersign rang oddly on Peter's ears, the harsh gutterals slurred over by Spanish tongues, “Donner und Blitzen!” The men. i merely grunted, and the about Petet, the stars, patio was alive with moving Peter thought that Von Hein- was preparing a night sortie But when he found himself again in the same gr room where ho had faced Von Heinrich that morning, he w the table was set for a dinner for three. His captor 19 about to dine, and rather splendly. Welcome, my friend," he said, in his excellent English. “I have glad hews for you."’ He waved Peter's guards away. Peter sat down in the chair Von Heinrich indicated, and the latter eased his huge bulk into the place opposite. “The wine is good, and not drugged,” he went on jovially. “Iam depending upon you to entertain me until neral arrives rt skipped a beat n captured? commented Von Heinrich, ‘'T d your thoughts. Your good friend your ( Had Mendoza has become Ww have made, through t what you eall a gentleman's a ment not better for everybody that he and I work together ir fof ugainst each other? ‘ Peter's thought was: “Has Mer doza been drawn into a trap?’ He answered Von Heinrich. Gen. Men- do will ever o one who knows doza’s patriotism aa I question his decision.”’ Von Heinrich bent forward. “It was to his patriotism I ap- pealed,"’ he sald quickly. Von Heinrich leaned back, satisfied. Von Heinrich thrust an army auto- across the table, Yours,” he explained. turning it to thing ig so nicely settled.’ Peater nodded thanks, but a glance satisfied him that the revolver was not loaded. Von Heinrich’s alert eyes did not miss this, “Ah, I forgot the cartridges,” he said. “They will be returned to you "I am re- you now that every- before you leave. But let us eat now.” . Peter ate sparingly. But Von Heinrich seemed not to notice this. “Last night,’’ he was sayin, J could have crushed your General as a cat crushes a mouse. I saw the glow of his fires’—— “T hoped you would think it was a mule-team train camping there,” Peter broke in. “HE GRIPPED THE TABLE AND RAISED IT WITH HIM. PETER HAD CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF VON HEINRICH’S FACE AND OF SOMETHING WHITE MOVING BE- HIND THE PRUSSIAN.” “Von welled y takes o Heinrfch"—the ibly—"neve: that kind.” Peter felt absolutely Heinrich had madc But Von Heinrich w see it great chest falls into mis- Nevertheless, sure that’ Von just that mistak .. s continuing ‘T perfectly,” he announced. Mendoza creeping up on me, hog.ng I would lieve his camp-fire dis- played in defiance of all rules of war- fare, were but the fires of a mule team train—that was a smart trick. But I do not yet understand why he did not attack—early this morning, let us say"—— Ho paused and looked at Peter, his eyes sharp and Senetrating. “Would you have," suggested Peter, “if expected reenforcements had failed to come up?" Von Heinrich took his gross under- Ip in his fingers and twisted tt thoughtfully “Ah! He His eyes met “Until! — “To-night,’" fully “And he planned to take the tov by direct attack? That was his plan?” “I told him it was mad,’? Peter assured him “And have I correctly his strategy,’ demanded rich, his eyes glistening, peataniat Peter smiled “You,"! he announced der. Von Heinrich grinned and smote the table the great candle- stick was momentarily imperiled, “And you,"’ he exclaimed, “are a Yankee idiot, just as your general ts a Mexican tdiot I have made no agreement whatever with him You have told me what I could not myself believe, that any man could be dummkopf enough to plan such an ¢ simply postponed it." Peter's questioningly. supplied Peter cheer- interpreted Von Hein “in every “are @ won- so t tack. I feared there might be some thing else in the wind—treachery, let us say." He pa savoring Peter expression which did) Peter credit fo-morrow mornin went on With infinite relish, ‘yeu will hi ompany Ww yu-ave shot. Your general will be wi 1-1 promise you that And to-morrow night a change in bis voice and expression i} i \ THE EVENING WORLD'S COMPLETE NOVELETTE G ) as Se gave the words particular significance T will have company—— Peter started to rise, “What do you mean?" he demand- od. 6 ti down!"’ roared Von Hein- rich. ‘Do you think that anything happens in Poco A Poco that I do not hear about it— at once? Your friend was unwis We will let her stay where she is un- til she realizes the error of her ways" —— The sound of sudden firing from the farther end of the.town stopped him. “Mendoza!” thought Peter, exult- ently. ‘And, as if to corroborate him, there came the distant cry: ‘Viva Mendoza!" Von Heinrich straightened himself, hands on the arms of his chair, ‘Donnerwetter!"’ he bellowed. “I've been tricked!" He broke off short and glared at Peter. ‘One thing is certain, You dic’ He reached for his revolver, Peter sprang up. Hoe gripped the table, and raised it with him. The dishes skidded toward Von Heinrich; the massive candlestick careened; the candles sputtered and went out. Peter had caught a glimpse of yon Heinrich’s face, grotesque in amazement, and of something white that moved behind the Prussian. Then several shots were fired in quick succession. But Peter had dropped and was squirming his way across the floor toward a door ‘behind von Heinrich which he had marked as presenting a chance of escape. ‘The door swung open. Ho saw an unilghted corridor with a grated window at the end, through which shone the moonlight. He sprang swiftly up and slid through it other of God!" The exclamation, breathed almost in his ear, left him as startled as sh ht Peter could hear her rapid breathir She was all in white and he remem- ered the glimpse of white behind e must have been in n all that had hap yon Heinrich. the room and pened. “Quick!"* she commanded br lessly. ‘ollow me!" From the room he had just quitted came a great uproar. she sped round first one turn and then another, he was at her hee Running up a flight of stairs, she threw open a door, revealing a lighted room of which Peter's only impression was that a great trunk stood in the middie of the floor, half packed. “This way,’’ she commanded, push- ing open a grilled fronwork lattice. “You must jump; {t's your only chance. Peter measured it. A good twenty feet below was a deserted alleyway and freedom, He put one foot on th ill, She caught hold of him. “Take this,’? she thrust an auto matic upon him. Peter paused, surprised. The rv volver must have been recently dis charged; the acrid stench of burnt powder still clung to it. He glanced from it to her and recognized her for the first time as the girl 1 seen on the balcony that morning. Then he swung out and dropped. As he gained his feet he heard firing from every quarter, and cries of ‘Viva Mendoza!” The za was brilliantly lighted but absolutely deserted. As he sped across it, several shots were fired at him from windows and roofs, but non reached him HE anctent jail came into sight, | and Peter slackened his stride. He tried the automatic tentatt ly. Tt was empty. The outer gates, he saw, had been swung open, and the guard stood in the street Catching sight of Peter, he brought his rifle to his should: “Donner und BU ni’? said Peter quickly. The effect was magical, The guard lowered his rifle. “Many noises,’’ “have come to m Peter set his jaw. “Sorry, old top,” he murmured. “I hate to do it, but there’s something he said eagerly, else coming to you'’'——And Peter landed on him, It was a beautiful blow; the Mexican took the count without a murmur. Peter snatched up the fallen guard's musket. The lock on the cell yielded to its butt, as he had hoped. He crashed in, but it was so dark he could see nothing t's me,’ “don't he said quickly rightened."* “I'm not Her voice, tranquil as a May morning, won his admiration anew. ‘lL was sure it could be n od but you. Have you taken the single-handed ?"" Pretty near—but the quicker we get out the better.’” She came along, without questions Even when she saw the guard, she said nothing, though her eyes went swiftly to Peter. “Not dead—only sleeping,” he ex- plained Thd firing broke out just then with renewed intensity Is that your revolution?” she asked Peter nodded What's the shortest way to you place?” he asked. “Aunt Patience will be worried.’ “Cm a brute—I’'d completely for gotten her," Priscilla confessed Silently she led the way. It t them steadily upward, toward cunie to a great Hacienda Here we ave he announced, ant rang 4 bell beside the barred door The porters came quickly, Priscilla led the way into the patio, There she paused and looked up at Peter, ‘Now, tell me what happened be« fore you go,’’ she commanded, “Why''—Peter pulled himself to gether—there isn't much to tell. Vem. Heinrich had me up to dinner’, paused, smiling at her “He wanted to find out just Mendoza’s plans were, and so he me @ song- and dance to the that he and Mendoza had reached a® agreement and’ “You didn’t believe him—not fer & minute?” she exclaimed quickly, “TI did not,” Peter assured hes, “% sat tight and let him do most of the talking, and, while he sat there, ii@e ding himself, Mendoza arrived, as we had planned— “How was that?’ she demanded, Peter grinned. “Remember the Trojan horse? Mendoza and his men ambushed the mule-team train that was due bag® in Poco A Poca to-night, hid theme selves under the wagon-covers, an@ drove right up into the city undee tected. At least that was the {dea"=—me “Splendid!” she breathed. “Anm@ Till bet my best moth it was yours,” Before Peter could contrive modest evasions, the portero broke in upem them “'Senorita,"’ he cried, “my brothers inlaw has come! Mendoza has the city! Von Heinrich ts dead!" “Dead?” echoed Peter and Prig= cilla. “Shot at headquarters—by a grings they say,"’ assured the portero impom tant Priscilla glanced swiftly at Petes He shook his head. F i “T was not armed," he sald. To in a flash, it came over him, The girl in white had shot Von Heinrich. The automatie she had used was in his pocket at that instant. “She had cleverly rid herself of it and suspiclon—a ise carded favorite, securing revénge. It all fitted together—the quarrel in the morning, her presence in the shadowy room, hed half-packed trunks—— From a baleony overhead came an! interruption that broke the thread ef his thought. “Is that you, Priscilla?” “Yes, Aunt Patience—I'll be up ip a moment." “It's about time. I've been worrled most to death. It does seem to me you might have some consideration for me Priscilla looked at Peter. I foresee I'm to be roundly soo B ed’ The night breeze suddenly paused, The moon was blotted out. Then the earth began to @q slowly but unmjstakably. The shock was brief. As tt passed, there came from the city a growing crew cendo, blending the brays of mules d howis of dogs. An earthquake!"’ gasped Priscilla, » secorid tremor, worse than the cut her short. The great stone, flaggings rose and fell as if they wet chips adrift on a tumultuous sea. If it was the end of the world for Peter und he thought it was—there was one thing he must+do before he died, “Pris exclaimed—and caught her to him and kissed her. he he tremor subsided, but he stil held her fast. “It's—it's only a mild one,’ sald Priscilla, avoiding his eyes. “And it’s over now, I think.’ She woulg have freed herself, but he held her pris: oner “It's enough for me," he retorted, Then, ‘Priscilla—did you mean {t?”" Priscilla tried to meet his eyes—an@ nally failed “Mean what?’ “What I hope you meant when you kissed meh “T didn't “You did ack 2" you know you dia!'” “You're hurting me,’’ she protested evasively. leas : Peter loosened his grip upon hea but ever so slightly. “You aren't afraid of snakes og bugs or revolutions, Prisciifa,"” be i, ‘*Why be afraid of me? Og ‘ “I'm not," she denied swiftly. The her eyes met his. ‘But I never, nevem could stand ‘the thought of being— married"’-—— “Neither could I—until I met you,™ he cut in swiftly. ‘I thought tt woul@ be like being caged. But wouldn't br with us. n't you see that, Prigs' cilla?"* Priscilla sald nothing. But he, come ng her silence as consent, kisse@ again, at first swiftly, and them exultantly and lngeringly. The moom flashed out again. The spell they ha@ woven was sharply broken, “Priscilla Amory," demanded an im dignant voice, “what lve you beem up to now? I’ve told you again ang. I expected to be blown ou, and home some day unless topped experimenting with these infernal mixtures you use."* Priscilla, startled, tried to. free hers self, but Peter was adamant. She can't see us,’ he whispered. He kissed her ear, then added, ‘Go on—« tell her what you've been up to.” “T will he promised. And, raising: her lovely voice, she called up to Aun® Patience, “I've just captured a pare ticularly fine specimen of homo Amer, again that of house ieanus, and I'm getting him ready t preserv From the balcony, Aunt Patience’ voice came down to them once amo I © announced, with utter fin it ibsolutely refuse. to have ame other bug brought into this house,’* cilla's eyes, laughter-lit, meg Peter “You see?’’ she murmured, Copyright. AM rights reserved.) 1 by arrangement with Me Newspaper Gersiaa, Mew York.