sh, ' | 1 { (Continued from last week). SYNOPSIS CHAPTER 1.-—Winton Garrett, twen- ty-five and just out of college, calls by appointment on Archie Garrett, his New York cousin and executor, to receive his inheritance of $100,000. Archie, honest, an easy mark and a fool for luck, assures Winton that he is prac- tically a millionaire, as he has invested all but $10,000 in a rubber plantation fn either the East or West Indies and in a controlling interest in the Big Malopo diamond mine, somewhere or other in South Africa, sold him as a special favor by a Dutch promoter named De Witt. CHAPTER IL—Winton, en route to his mine, finds the town of Taungs wildly excited over a big strike at Malopo, including the 95-carat ‘De Witt diamond.” Two coach passengers are a disreputable old prospector, Daddy Seaton, and his daughter Sheila. On the journey a passenger, who turns out to be De Witt himself, insults Sheila. Winton fights De Witt and knocks him out. Sheila tells him to turn back. She says that her father is a broken Eng- lish army oilicer, who has killed a man and is therefore in De Witt's power, that De Witt is all-powerful. being backed by Judge Davis, president of the diamond syndicate and also the resident magistrate and judge of the native protectorate. On claims more recently taken up men were hard at work with picks, or washing the clay in cradles. Nobody paid the least attention to the way- farers. Wintor's companion led him along the road that ran the length of the claims. Here and there were to be seen native gangs herded within the barbed wire tangles of their com- pounds. At length the desert reap- peared. Sam stopped. “This is the Big Malopo, sir,” he said. Winton looked in front of him. He saw a small shack, a patch of yellow ground, and many coils of barbed wire that had not yet been set up. There was nothing more, “The De Witt diamond was pickeé up right Rere, sir,” said Sam. “Ilow far does the claim extend?” asked Winton. “What are those men doing there? Are tney the Big Malopo men?” “No, sir. 'That 1s another claim. The claims are not extensive, sir. The Big Malopo is a large one. It measures two hundred feet by seventy-five. You will find Mr. Burns, the watchman, in that building, sir, if you wish to see him. But he will not answer questions. He is a misanthropical man, sir. You are interested in the Big Malopo, sir?” “Yes. I own it,” answered Winton. “At least, four-fifths of it. I am Win- ton Garrett.” Before the words had slipped from his mouth he regretted the rashness of his self-betrayal. But the effect upon the negro was extraordinary. He stared and gaped, edged away, and then broke into a quick run, and never stopped as long as he was within sight. Winton stood looking after him in as- tonishment until he had disappeared in the distance; then, after a moment of hesitation, he stepped up to the shack and tapped at the door. An elderly man appeared instantly. He had a white beard and a shock of white hair. He was in his shirt sleeves, and he carried a shotgun in his hands. From his appearance Winton inferred that he would not be chary of using it. “Another of ’em!” he cried angrily, leveling the gun. “You make tracks be- fore I get my eye in, young feller. There ain't nothing to see.” “I came to see Mr. De Witt,” said Winton. “He's gone out of town and won't be back till to-morrow afternoon, and if you want a job there ain’t nothing.” “1 believe you are the watchman?” Winton asked. “What's your name?” “My name’s Ned Burns,” shouted the old man. “What's yours?” “My name's Garrett, and I hold a good block of shares in the Big Ma- lopo,” answered Winton recklessly. The old man stared incredulously at him. Then he turned into the shack, beckoning mysteriously to Winton to follow, “What's the game?’ he asked bitter- ly. “You ain’t lying for fun?” “Read that,” said Winton, pulling Archie’s letter of introduction to De Witt out of his pocket. He had de- cided impulsively, but, as he was con- vinced, rightly, to trust Ned Burns. Parenthetically, he had been recon- ciled to Archie before he left New York. It was impossible to bear ill- feeling against Archie, and after all, Archie had done his best. He was simply incapable. But was he incapable, or had his luck held true? Ned Burns took a pair of heavy, sil- ver-rimmed spectacles from a little table in the shack, drew the letter out of the envelope with shaking fingers, and read it. He handed it back with- out a word, searching Winten’s eyes, though, keenly, with his own. Then, opening a drawer in the table, he took out an ancient and much worn Bible. “Lay your hand here,” he said, open- ing the book at random. “Now swear vou've told the truth.” “That’s going a little further than I sensi VICTOR ROUSSEATL COPYRIGHT 4y WG.CHAPMAN have a mind to, Mr. Burns,” said Win- ton LU. “Aye, aye!” muttered the old man. “Maybe you're right there. But we'll soon put your words to the proof of the Book that never lies.” Ye took up the Bible and began read- ing from the page at which he had opened it: “And after him Abdon the son of Hillel judged Israel. And he had forty sons and thirty sons’ sons, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts; and he judged Israel eight years.” He snapped the Bible shut. ‘Man, you've told me the truth!” he cried. “I believe so,” answered Winton. “But how do you get that sense from the passage you have been reading?” “Man, it's easy. to them that know how to search the Scriptures. Abdon's Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis is the judge, ain't he? And Israel’s Malopo. And the forty sons and thirty sons’ sons are tle men who cate. And the threescore and ten ass colts are the same poor fools them- selves, that work for those swindlers, and are asses without knowing it. And the eight years is me, who've worked for Judge Davis and Mr. De Witt these eight years past, here and in Kimberley, and am discharged at the end of the month because Mr. De hody else.” “Steady, Mr. Burns,” said Winton. “There isn’t going to be any discharg- ing until I've had my say.” Ned Burns grunted and Winton suddenly felt his heart full of flaming anger. “And what the devil has Mr. De Witt got to do with the Big Malopo, anyway?” he asked. , der. “Mr. Garrett, my lad,” he an- swered, “it ain't insulting a man to reli him to his face he's green.” “Not if he is green.” “You're green, boy. Listen to me! 1 don’t love those thieves in the syndi- cate, and wren Mr. De Witt discharged me at the end of the month he knew, didn’t he, that there ain’t no job for men of my age in Malopo, and that no- too old to hold his own against the niggers, when they break loose in the compounds? That's me, Ned Burns, stiff from rheumatics. And me, set here like an old hen over that dia- mond patch, with millions to be picked wp, and Mr. De Witt knows he can trust me not to take a smell of the ground. Not but he knows any man'd nard labor even to buy diamonds in this country.” Ned Burns seemed possessed by nus grievances to the exclusion of all elze. And Winton had a knack, somehow, nf striking a man’s moods at the right moment. It was a quick impulse, a swift decision, and the exact action, He took the old fellow’s hands in his. “Mr. Burns, I guess we need each other,” he said. “I'm green. You're discharged. Post me on the situation and you can rely on me that you're not discharged. I only landed a week ago,” he added ingenuously, “and I haven't begun to understand the first thing about this country. I thought all I would have to do would be to prove my identity and step into the busi ness.” “Oh, Lord!” said Ned Burns. “Sit down here, Mr. Garrett. Yes, you're green, sir, but the same good fortune that brought you to me will see you through your difficulties. Sit down.” He pushed a packing case toward Winton, who took his seat beside the watchman. “You dort xnoW Nothing about the situation here?’ asked Ned. “Just bought the shares and come out to run things?” “Something like that. My trustee bought the shares for me,” Winton an- swered. Ned nodded. “Here it is,” he said. two years ago. And it come to nothing. the yellow ground, and when they'd dug and dug and didn’t get enough out tired and moved away. But a few of the far-sighted ones stayed. The syn- dicate had gobbled up a quarter of the claims, and it stayed. The Diamond Fields Amalgamated owned another quarter—that’s Van Beer's concern— and it stayed. That” ought to have showed people there was something in Malopo. “But, anyway, they thought the claims was good for nothing, and set out to unload the rotten shares wher- ever they could. That’s how you got your shares, Mr. Garrett. Then, last week, a kid Tottie girl coming into town with a basket to.buy flour picked up a big pebble right there in that hole. That was the De Witt stone. All things are easy work for the Diamond Fields Syndi- Witt has promised the job to some- incredulously, | Ned Burns laid a hand on his shoul- : pody would hire a man who'd grown who’ve given Mr. De Witt eight years, | and as strong as ever, except my arm's | pe a fool to steal when it’s seven years’ | “When the first diamonds was found ' in Malopo there was a rush. That was | You see, the stones is at the bottom of | of it to pay their board people got ! Ninety-five carats, they estimate it will weigh, when it’s been cut. She showed it to me. I gave her five pounds for it, and Mr. De Witt called me a fool, and swore when he paid me back. That’s Mr, De Witt, but I don’t know he’s any meaner than that old hypo- crite, Judge Davis. “Somehow the news got into the papers down-country. Forty-eight hours the first rush of prospectors from Taungs took to get up here, and they couldn't understand why people in Malopo was ignorant of what had hap- pened. Next day a hundred came from the Transvaal. Next day comes the colony rush. And today the popula- tion of Malopo looks like doubling every week. You may have passed some of them on the roads?” “Yes, the road’s alive with them.” “It’s one of the big rushes, Mr. Gar- rett, like in the old Kimberley days, and you can guess how De Witt's crowd is kicking itself for not having gobbled up the Big Malopo. They're finding stones everywhere as they get down toward the bottom of the yellow ground. And De Witt let the property go down when he could have gobbled it for a song.” “I seem to have walked into the situ- ation at the most interesting moment,” suggested Winton. “You certainly have, Mr. Garrett, Not but what I was expecting some- thing to turn up. I was lying awake last night, puzzling and worrying, and i I thought I'd find what the book had | to say. So I opened it in the dark and , struck a light, and the first words my eyes fell upon was that passage where | David danced before the Ark and his | wife nagged him for making a show { of himself. And he'd took off his | clothes in his frenzy, as gou’ll no doubt remember. Now, sir, I put it to you, could there have been anything more like a sign?” “But what was your interpretation?’ inquired Winton. “Why, it’s perfectly simple, sir, to them that’s got the gift to understand i David’s Judge Davis, of course, and his wife's De Witt, who's always girding at him to be crookeder than God made him naturally. And the clothes he took off is his smug Pharisee face that's going to be unmasked. And the ' Ark—well, I thought that was Malopo. But now I see it’s you. He's going to dance before you, sir, and you're going to be the piper.” “I hope so, Mr. Burns,” said Winton. { Ned Burns laid a hand on Winton’s arm. “Tell me one thing,” he said. “How many people know you are in Malopo?” “Two,” answered Winton. self and a colored man.” Ned Burns stared at him. “I don’t quite make that out,” he said. “You've kept your businesg to yourself mostly, but you've told a nigger?” I “The man Sam from the Chronicle.” “Sam Simpson?’ cried Ned. “Then you might as well have gone straight to Mr. De Witt and his crowd. Sam’s tne whole Chronicle and the Chron- icle’s Judge Davis. The Chronicle | couldn’t run without Sam. There ain't anybody here with the education to run it but Sam, for all his play about Heing a newsboy. That's just one of | Judge Davis’ tricks. How did you | come to tell Sam Simpson?” i “TI met him selling papers, he showed | me the way here, and we got into con- versation,” said Winton, feeling un- commonly foolish. “No doubt that ex- plains why he left me rather sudden- lv,” he added. “No doubt,” answered Ned dryly. He just run back as hard as he could 20 to tell the judge. Now, Mr. Garrett, 1'l coine to the point, You've got & big game to play, and you've just come “Your- | in time to play tt. Theres to be a meeting of the snarehoiders of the Big | Mzelopo iu the Chamber of Commerce building tomorrow morning at ten. That means Mr. De Witt, Judze Davis, and maybe two or three more—and vou. And they're going to wind up aud turn the Big Malopo over to the syn- dicate,” “1 don't think so,” said \Winton. “I'm glad to hear you say that,” an- swered Ned earnestly. “But De Witt and Judge Davis won't stop at nothing to get hold of the Big Malopo. You see, Mr. Garrett, there's diamonds all through this yellow ground, but the big diamonds comes out of the blue pipe, and the blue pipe’s on our claim. That's pretty well known because we're the center of the diamond ground.” He went on briefly to explain how the diamonds, formed in the volcanic pipes under pressure, were forced up- ward and distributed through the sur- rounding territory within a certain radius about the pipe's mouth. The pipe itself undoubtedly lay in the Malopo claim, probably immediately beneath the place where the De Witt ! stone had been discovered. “You asked me just now what Mr. De Witt had to do with us,” said Ned, “using words for which I hope you | may be forgiven. There's your answer, sir.” Tomorrow the syndicate gets hold of the Big Malopo unless you're on | hand in the Chamber of Commerce “I'll be there,” answered Winton. “Remember, they'll stop you if they can, and by now they know that you're in Malopo. It may be they're making their plans while we sit talking here. Go home, Mr. Garrett, and stay there. Keep among the crowd. Don’t obey no messages, nor go to meet nobody. Where is it?” “The Continental.” “The best place. Stay there ail the evening. See your window's fastened. | Put something against your door. Keep your revolver handy—" . “I've never owned a revolver in my i life,” said Winton. Ned Burns made a clucking sound and, opening the drawer, pulled out a | i | building at ten to stop it.” 1 small automatic. “Take this, Mr. Gar- ret,” he said. “You may need it. It’s Ned Burns opened the drawer and pulled out a small automatic. loaded. That'll be all. Except, member not to talk alone to strangers.” “No, there's something more,” said re- Winton. “I breakfast. Mr. Burns?” Ned Burns shook his head as if he thought Winton uncommonly green. But he took some bread and bacon from a closet, and, going to the door, began to build a little fire of sticks in front of the shack. Soon Winton was eating with more relish than he had felt since he had landed. “I'll do what you say, Mr. Burns,” he said, when the meal was ended. “And don’t worry about your job. We stand together. It seems like Providence, my turning up at this time.” “It is Providence,” answered Burns. “Half a minute, Mr. Garrett. We'll see what the book has to say about it.” He brought the Bible out of the shack, opened it, and began to read: ‘One young bullock, one ram, one he- lamb of the first year, for a burnt offer- ing; one male of the goats for a sin offering ; this was the oblation of Ahira the son of Enan.” He closed the Book. “We win, Mr. Garrett,” he said in a tremulous voice. “We win.” “How do you make that out?” asked Winton. “It’s as plain as a pikestaff, sir. The young bullock is the Big Malopo. The ram's Judge Davis. The he-lamb of the first year is yourself. The male of the goats for a sin offering is Mr. De Witt, who’s to be punished for his sins.” came away without Can you give me a bite, Winton. “That’s the big diamond,” responded Ned. had not yet learned of the supposed robbery, and Winton did not think it necessary to enlighten him. He bade him good-by and turned toward Malopo. But his mind was in a whirl, and, feel- ing the need of being alone in order to think, Winton retraced his steps after he had gone some distance, crossed the diamond fields by means of a succes- sion of plank paths, and made his way into the desert. The diggers, hard at work in the sun, paid no attention te him. Once beyond the fields, Winton walked leisurely along a rough wagon track that ran through the sandy waste. The thin wisps of burned grass that covered the face of the land were more deso- late than the bare earth itself. The desert reached as far as could be seen aon every side. The sun blazed in the cloudless sky. Winton tramped on, turning over ii Lids weno abl that Ned Burns had tos hin iis coming had certainly bee providential. Decubtless De Witt ana avis, beneving that they would never their scheme. The Big Malopo wus to te wound up and reconstructed, prob- ably a trifling sum would be sent tv Archie, and Judge Davis would be tne raler of the diamond fields. He meant to stop that game. But the thought of Sheila kept intruding into the situation, and of Seaton, under 1.0 Witt’s thumb. Winton cast him- self down upon the desert and wrestled with his problems for hours, arising at length, still perplexed, but some- how assured that everything woud turn out well. The sun was low in the west, and the cool of the afternoon wus refresh- ing as he made his way back toward Malopo. He crossed the fields, passed through the new suburb, and found himself among the street crowds azain. A few minutes later he was ascending the steps that led up to the stoep of the Continental, where a group was still discussing the absorbing topic of the robbery. Winton, lingering among the men for a few moments, drew the conclusion that no progress had been made so far in the solution of the mystery. He might have waited, but as he stood there he saw a little man with a heavy mustache standing a little way beyond the throng and regarding him attentively. Winton did not like the little man’s face, and he suddenly remembered Ned's injunctions. He knew that if he remained the little man would accost him. He was turning away when the sup- per bell began to ring in the hall. One or two men got up, and Wirn:on went with them toward the room where the meal was served. He saw three or four waitresses, whose appearance did ‘not harmonize with their occupation, ; standing behind the chairs, and noted the intimate smiles that passed be- tween them and the men who entered. | Then he perceived behind the door, at the cashier's deck—Sheila. (To be continued). —————— A ———————— —Get your job work done here, "1 my | “And Ahira, the son of Enan?”’ asked It was evident that the watchman’ be troubled by him, had felt secure iu | Christmas March Was Played by Minister IHE minister had hung up his stocking, too. The sprites that put into it a candy cane, a lollipop, a ball, an apple and a motor car that would go, had added a mouth organ. most appropri- ate and perhaps most needed of all gifts, for what other mouth should so dispense harmony? Then, after breakfast, came the pro- cession into the parlor and unto the wonderful tree. Kirst, little Sarah, with the early and aided steps of her one year and the big eyes of her first Christmas tree. Then demure Helen, blowing her own horn for once, then big Sarah and all the uncles, aunts and cousins, then father and mother, and then the minister, playing his new march upon his new organ, When ' they were all seated in the happy circle they asked for the words of that new tune and here they are: | If birds could sing in Christmas trees, i Jf they could hum with happy bees, { If they were sweet with all the spice | Of all things beautiful and nice, { They could not altogether be More full of love than this, our tree. Chorus.-——March, march to the Christ- mas tree, It has a loving gift for thee. Then they all sang it, after which the beautiful tree yielded its fruit. —Christopher G. Hazard. ©). 1923, Western Newspaper Union.) Christmas Telegrams E WAS always busy, rushing, always hurrying. always He attend to and so many people were constantly pressing it upon his time with this demand, with that, which required attention. He wished he could see more of his friends. His frieds wished they could see more of him. He was the sort they would like to see more of and at times they were a little annoyed that he was so busy. He was busier than was really normal. They said he had no time for the pleasant things of life and that nor could he be enjoyed because he was always having so much to do. But he took time for one thing. He never failed to take time for it. Every Christmas he sent all his friends beautiful Christmas telegrams of cheer. He thought of them and . he remembered them and every Christ: ! mas morning as his friends opened | their gay | would say: “He always finds time to think of me on Christmas morning, anway! What a pleasure this is!”—Mary Gra- ham Bonner. (©, 1923, Western Newspaper Union.) SY bn mn ms mn PRESS REESSEETEEETTSE — re J ! REAL SPIRIT i | - F THE real spirit of Christ- Pi) mas is within us we will, “ A indeed, find that it is more |, ) blessed to give than to receive, and we will give out of the full- ness of our hearts and because ) of the joy that giving brings us, instead of from any other mo- ) tive. So to get the real joy of giving and to receive the rich- ness of the Christmas spirit in jy fullest measure, give because your heart prompts you to and ) forget all else.—Katherine Edel- y man. (©, 1923, Western Newspaper Union.) f it i i / il il mag) ew ve 28. mt - t= C2 “It Is More Blessed to Give Than Receive” nothing to do HIS has with mas time than any other time of the year. Yes, saved. That may sound absurd to a lot of people who have spent all their money buying presents for their families and friends and neighbors, but it is true just the same. How? Why, because giving is the finest sort of saving, and not only saving, but investing. Every good gift is a permanent gain to the giver; it is better than a bank book carrying the same amount, for a gift is more a bank ledger. If you want to save your money, give it away—wisely. Does that sound unreasonable? Re- than receive.—F. H. Sweet. (©. 1923, Western Newspaper Union.) Ee a alam AUNT MEHITABLE’S PRESENT ps. Aunt Mehitable had a powerful and awake. culties by imagining them and making them oui. “Hiram,” said she, can’t think what has got into George; I didn’t like thé way he looked at us this morning.” “Probably he was thinking of some- body else,” answered her brother, “George,” began his aunt the next day, “what was the matter with you yesterday morning, you looked sourer 'n pickles.” “Nothin’ was the matter with me,” «ald the boy, “T was puzzlin’ over your | t'iristmas present.” Then he added, guess I'll give it up.” But remember- ing her goodness of heart, George re- ! | lented, and, when the day that shines away all unpleasantiess came round, | Annt Mehitihle had a new nightcap! i —C. Gv Hazard, (©, 19238, Western Newspaper Union.) Add Yuletide Cheer always had so many things to he could neither enjoy things himself Christmas telegrams they 8 Pm 3 Ho Po eng 0 banks or savings accounts; but | more money is saved st Christ- | truly a saving than credit account on ! member, it is more blessed to give active imagination that often kept her She was ever creating diffi- | things croclked by trying to straighten Sf > “Since you're so mighty suspicious, I ! SR, RS. LARKIN is a little old lady who lives in a red house just rine Way to Keep a over the hill. The children troop by her door-yard every Face Looking Happy day on their way to school. They always look up at her windows, for Mrs. Larkin is sure to be at one of them, nodding and smiling in the pleasantest fashion. $ Mrs. Larkin has cookies in jars and Mrs. Larkin can knit red mittens faster than anybody else in town. Both cookies and mittens find their way to the mouths and hands of haif the children in the village. At Christmas time, the little old lady is busier than ever. But the nicest thing about her is the expres- sion on her face. To say it shines, does not half describe the brightness of it. One day Tilly Tinker said to her: “What makes your face candle, Mrs. Larkin?” “Bless you, Tilly!” laughed the lit- tle old lady, “What do you mean?” Tilly had diffieulty in explaining, but she finally succeeded in making Mrs. , Larkin understand what she meant by ‘comparing her face to a candle, { “Tl tell you a secret,” said the lit- tle old tady in a whisper: “At Christ- mas time I always pretend I'm look- ing at a Christmas tree! A tree with |a thousand candles, everyone lighted! So perhaps some of them are reflected on my ixce. It's a fine way to keep la face ooking happy. Just try it yourself Perhaps Mrs. Larkin found the best i recipe tor happiness—she filled her hands with good works and her mind with the brightness of lighted candles. —Martha B. Thomas. (©. 1923, Western Newspaper Union.) like a Christmas, the Snow and the Sleigh Ride T WAS Christmas night. The moon was shining and the snow sparkled like diamonds more rare and wonderful than are ever seen in a jewelry shop. | The bells jingled, the frosty air seemed to say in its cool, cheery way: “I'm here, I brush against your faces so you can feel me and my cold, bracing ways.” And the sleigh went merrily along. | Inside the sleigh were a man and a girl, And they were saying things which may not sound new to you, “There is nothing in the world like love,” was one of the things they said. “And to be in love, and sleigh-rid- ing on Christmas night after a perfect Christinas day—there is nothing in the world like it.” But it was as beautifui to them as though no one else had ever said these things. For beauty is not dependent upon novelty. It depends on some- thing far deeper and truer. *® There is nothing new about love, There is nothing new about Christ: mas. But that doesn’t make eitlier of them any less wonderful l—Mary Gra- ham Bonner. (©. 193, Western Newspaper Union.) 01 pres ZAP Po fA ct 00 Beat Beauty Parlor for Christmas Time O faces? Have you ever thought about that? | IX BUY wreathes for the window, tinsel for the Christmas tree, holly for packages and flowers for the table, but what about giving some attention to our Dress your face up in a smile, | Wear it late and early, i It puts the sunshine in your eyes, ! And makes your hair look curly! There is an undeniable magic in happiness—it beautifies! Happiness makes holiday in the heart. and the face reflects it. Better than a thousand candles is the light of cheer. | %J-0-Y” is the sign that hangs over the best beauty parlor, and it serves | men as well as women. If you would ; become handsome, become joyous first. i And joy comes from living and giv- Ing with kindliness and good-will !— Martha B. Thomas. (©, 1923, Western Newspaper union.) QBs (ro eg 0 : BOTH DISAPPOINTED under He—1 expected you'd stand the mistletoe when I called. She—And 1 expected you'd huve an armful of Christmas presents. ERASTUS’ CHRISTMAS TREE “Where's yo’ gwine?” was the ques- yo' g q tion, as Erastus passed by with a | good-sized Christmas tree. “I's been | where I's gwine,” wus the rather { enigmatical answer. G. Hazavd. i (®, 1928, Western Newspaner nian.)