Plantation Doctor by Kathryn Blair Read Free Book Online Page A

estate category.” He took her glass, and laughed. “They’d like to make me clear out too — add my couple of thousand acres to their vast concern and run them on scientific lines. They don’t like my methods — or lack of method. But I’m not selling.”
    “Is that how the Denton estate grew — by buying up smaller plantations?”
    “My dear pigeon, why should you worry your sweet head about that?”
    “No reason, but I’d like to know.”
    “Well, the Denton estate was large to start with. Joseph Denton bought land here thirty years ago, when Africa was really Africa. He cleared the bush and timber and planted rubber. Just as his trees matured there was a minor boom; he made money and increased his acreage by buying all the available virgin land adjoining his property and any small plantations that were going.”
    “Joseph Denton? Is he dead?”
    “He stayed here too long and trapped yellow fever — that was in the days before compulsory inoculation. After his death the company was formed.”
    “Do you like producing rubber — is that why you won’t sell?”
    He looked amused by her persistence. “I detest it with all my heart. Sometimes I’m tempted to let the plantation run back to jungle just for the pleasure of knowing that the Denton crowd are gnashing their teeth at the criminal waste. If I weren’t so much in need of the cash those bales of rubber represent, I’d do it.” He took her arm as if to lead her back to the veranda. “Let’s talk about something more refreshing than rubber. It’s dull stuff in the raw. I haven’t seen a girl like you since my sister came out on a visit two years ago.”
    He told her about his other guests, about their jobs and their constant seeking after diversion from the heat and deadly sameness of their lives. Casually, as though they were commonplace, he aired two or three startling scandals. Then he wanted to learn more about Lyn and her business in West Africa; he couldn’t take in the fact of her being here to work. For the dozenth time she explained.
    “Akasi,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ve never been to that district, but it shouldn’t be difficult to get through. There’s a road which runs that way from Freetown — goes very near, I believe, and there are sure to be footpaths; Africa’s veined with them. How did you land in Denton?”
    Again she elucidated. Claud firmed his rather full lower lip and raised his brows so that the pleats seemed to run right up into his teak-brown hair.
    “Sinclair!” he exclaimed. “Did he meet you?”
    She nodded. “He met me, all right — at Cape Bandu. That’s how I come to be here.”
    His eyes narrowed and he said, “I expect you hate his hide for hauling you along to Denton.”
    “His interference did seem unnecessary. If he’d let me go I’d have arrived in Akasi today.”
    Claud was thoughtful for a moment. Then he flicked away his cigarette butt and looked down at her with a smile which was wholly charming.
    “I refuse to say I’m sorry he brought you this way, but I can imagine how you feel about him. Supposing I could get you to Akasi within the next few days?”
    Lyn was surprised into breathlessness. For a second some foolish part of her shrank from the proposal, and then she thought of Mrs. Latimer, who might not be too well, having to make the long trip by land and sea to Denton. If she, Lyn, could get away soon ...
    “Let me try for you,” he put in softly. “I’ll make some enquiries at the shipping office and on the waterfront in the morning. Come down to town tomorrow and have lunch with me, and I’ll let you know if there’s anything doing.”
    In acquiescing she would not commit herself in any way, and if it happened that she could set out for Akasi she would probably travel faster than the post. Mr. Baird had mentioned that outlying districts were served by postal messengers who journeyed most of the way through the forests on foot. It really was absurd that she should be