“Sands of Death” By FLOYD GIBBONS Famous Headline Hunter IIFE wouldn’t be worth living if it weren’t for its uncer tainties. We wouldn’t have half so much fun if it weren’t for the tricks Fate plays on us every now and then to—well —sort of keep us on our toes. Here’s the story of a lad who had adventure bounce back on him. He is Sidney Smith of Chicago, and Sid set out with a gun one day to give some ducks the adventure of their lives. But Fate turned the tables, and Sid wound up In the midst of a hair-raising adventure himself. It was in Socorro, N. Mex., in November, 1900, that Sid took a notion to go duck hunting. He got his friend. Bill Nelson, to go with him and they started out together one frosty November morning to look for birds along the Rio Grande, which runs within a mile of the town. River Bed Was Full of Quicksands. The river was low at that time of the year. You could darned near walk across it without getting wet. The dry, muddy bed of the river, or dinarily full of patches of quicksand, was solid, with a hard crust of frozen sand on the top. Sid and Bill reached the river and started to walk across these sands toward the other side where the ducks had congregated. Walking and wading through little rivulets, they came within fifteen yards of the opposite bank, and there they were stopped by a rivulet wider and deeper than the others. A torrent of water was rushing through It so swiftly that they knew it would be dangerous to cross. Still, they were willing to try it, for all the ducks were on the opposite side of the river. Bill Nelson was a six-footer and weighed about 200 pounds. Fight ing his way through rushing water up to his waist, he managed to get across. But Sid, who weighed only 130, couldn’t make It. There was nothing to do but turn back. Sid called to Bill to go ahead —that he would wait on the other side. Maybe some ducks, stirred by Bill’s shooting, would fly over to his side. He started back to the bank, but by this time the sun had melted the frozen crust on the top of the fsand. Sid sank In up to his ankles at every step—and sometimes he sank in deeper. Sid Jumped Right Into It. The squish, squish of his feet in the mud alarmed him. All that stretch of muddy silt looked alike, and any minute he was liable to sink into quicksand. He picked his way as carefully as he could, and kept plodding steadily on toward the safety of the bank. And luck was 'with him. He made the bank. As he reached it, he heard Bill Nelson shooting, somewhere on the other side of the river. ’’Sure enough,” he says, ”a heavy flight of ducks rose from the opposite shore and started for my side of the river. They seemed to head for a slough about a quarter of a mile upstream, and I started toward it, working my way through dense thickets that covered the bottom lands. I was almost there when I came to a cut about four feet wide. “The ground on my side of it was firm, so I jumped across. As 1 landed I Instinctively bent my knees in preparation for the Jar I expected and—” And that movement saved Sid Smith’s life! Sid jumped—and he landed in a mess of quicksand. Had he landed feet first, he might have gone in up to his neck. As it was, with his knees bent, he fell half backwards. A wider surface of his body hit the sand, and he went in to a point half way between his waist and his armpits. Says Sid: "It wasn’t possible for me to work myself out of my rub ber waders. I soon found that out. I began reaching out with my gun, gathering in every brunch or twig I could. As I drew them to me I piled them under my arms. My movements were slow and careful as I could make them, for I knew only too well that every violent motion I made would only serve to make me sink deeper into the quagmire.” Bill Heard His Distress Shots. But in spite of all his care, Sid was sinking into the quicksand. With the twigs and branches under him, he lay back, spreading his weight over as wide an area as possible, and began to Are his gun. Three shots —closely spaced—a distress signal that he hoped Bill Nelson would hear and recognize. But what If Bill didn’t hear It? What if no one heard it? It wasn't a pleasant thought, and Sid didn’t like to think about it. Sid waited ten minutes and fired three more shots. And all the time he was sinking, slowly—steadily. Seven times he fired that series of shots. For seventy minutes, as nearly as he could judge it, he sent out signals. And on the last try he heard an answering shot. Or was it an answer? Sid hoped so. By that time he was buried up to his armpits. Only his arms and shoulders were above ground. He fired three more quick shots in answer to the one he had heard—and when that was done'just one shell remained. If that last shot was an answer, he might have a chance. If it wasn’t—if it was only the shot of a hunter shooting ducks—well, then Sid might as well give up and resign himself to one of the most horrible deaths known. Rescue in (he Nick of Time. The gun was useless now. Sid rolled his coat up, tucked it under his right arm. He laid his gun out at arms length and placed his hands on it. Anything to distribute his weight. Anything to keep him alive for an extra few seconds. He might need those seconds—if help came. He began shouting then, at intervals, hoping to guide some one to the spot. Still he kept sinking. For fifteen minutes he kept up his shouts—and then, suddenly, he heard Bill Nelson's an swering voice. In two minutes. Bill was on the spot Sid had Jumped from. In a few minutes more he had a good-sized branch under each of Sid’s arms. And with that to start on, it wasn’t long before Sid was out again. Sid was safe—but the experience has left its mark on him. "From that day to this," he says, "I have had to exercise my will power to force myself to wade streams or to wall- along the banks while hunt ing or fishing." ( ©—WNU Service. Faithful Pilgrims Trek to Black Virgin Shrine Montserrat, Spain, is the name of a fantastic mountain pass that rises abruptly to a height of 3,000 feet from the rolling foothills of Cata luna. It is also the name of a fa mous monastery, which clings like a swallow’s nest halfway up the steep slopes of the mountain, about 35 miles northwest of Barcelona. For centuries, states a correspond ent in the St. Louis Globe-Demo crat, this medieval Benedictine monastery has been the na ton's most famous shrine, to which thou sands of the Spanish faithful make pilgrimage each year to pay hom age to what is called the Black Vir gin. This wooden image, darkened by age, is not, however, the only •source of Montserrat’s fame. Mont serrat, in Catalan tradition, is the Montsalvatsh or Monsalvat of the Middle ages, site of the castle of the Holy GraiL Here Ignatius of Loy ola, a wounded soldier, knelt in prayer, and Went away to found the Society of Jesus. According to legend, the Black Virgin was carved by St Luke and brought to Baicelona A. D. 50 by St. Peter. During the Moorish invasion and occupation it was hidden by Christian monks in one of the caves of Montserrat near the site of the present monastery. An effort was made to bring it down from the mountains, but, although the statue is not quite life-size, the shepherds reported that it could not be moved beyond the ledge where the monas tery stands. The Basilica, accord ingly, was erected to protect it, and the monastery built to care for the pilgrims who climbed the mountain to worship at the virgin's shrine. The Irish Flag “Erin go Bragh” is Gaelic for “Ireland Forever.” The symbols on the Irish flag Include an Irish player ol the harp, the national mu sical instrument of Ireland; the wreath of shamrocks representing that used by St Patrick, which il lustrates the Blessed Trinity. The three leaves of the shamrock repre sent the first, second and third per sons of the Blessed Trinity, and the shamrock itself is the Blessed Trin ity. - Suits Stress Short Pitted Jackets liy CI1ER1E NICHOLAS THE coronation of the king and 4ueen ol Great Britain is reflect ing no little influence throughout the world of fashion Which perhaps ac counts for the tremendous vogue for handsome suits tailored of hand some woolens which is sweeping throughout fashion’s domain. Since London is proving a magnet for de signers and merchants who wish to keep in touch with what's going on in a fashion way where such stir ring epoch making events are tak ing place, their first reaction would naturally be in favor of stunning woolen tailored apparel since Eng lish women set pace for the world in this direction. At any rate this is proving an outstanding season for the tailored suit and all that goes with it in the way of chic accessories. The new woolens are as an intriguing lot a. ever launched forth on a fashion career. While most any length jack et is rccepted this year as good style, yet when it comes to top notch swank the fashion-wise are centering their interest about the Jaunty short-jacket types. The suit to the left in the picture combines nubby wool sheer tweed with even nubbier knit and you know that the nubbier the smarter is the word this season for woolens. The short fitted jacket in brown and beige tweed has three half-moon pockets lined with the brown knit of the skirt. There’s a brown knit ascot, a belt and but-ons that are amusing in their oddity. By the way, you can add to the lure of a costume like this by wearing a blouse that fastens with fruit or vegetable but tons. Seeing is believing in regard to these whimsical buttons, some of which are miniature strawberries or perhaps wee apples or peaches. If you prefer oblong buttons ask for the lilliputian bananas they are displaying this season or the teeny weeny ears of corn, each and all in the realistic colorings of Nature. The two-piece suit of pin-checked wool tweed on the seated figure is beige flecked with white, according to Schiaparelli's fabric version. Such an exciting color theme as beige has grown to be this season! It’s beige for your suit, for your furs, for your monotone crepe after noon gown and for accessories with your nayy or black suit beige is a most important message. The dia mond shaped composition buttons that fasten this jacket are decidedly novel and therefore impart the ex clusive look. Panels form ingenious breast pockets. A navy blouse peeps from under the stand-up collar. Check and double check! Here you sec the game played in the suit to the right in the group. A navy and white box-swagger coatee in soft wool with large pa-tch pock ets and rounded lapels over a single breasted jacket to match makes this one of the smartest and most practical suits of the season. A navy monotone tweed skirt in simple lines is a pleasing variation from the check of the jacket. Wear with thii costume a white baku breton sailor with roll brim faced in patent leath er, for you must know that patent leather touches are ace-high chic. The checked swagger-and-jacket suit just described is a good ex ample of the fashion now prevail ing for ensembles that are that composite they furnish quite a com plete wardrobe in themselves. The present scheme of costume design that includes several items such as skirt, jacket, roomy topcoat and of ten an added cape denotes a vtery practical turn of affairs. These are so related in color and technique that combine them as you will, they never fail to form a perfect unified outfit. © Western Newspaper Union. “AMOUR” SILK PRINT Hr CIIKKIK NICHOLAS The love affair that startled the world takes on a fashion note. Look at the silk over-blousette which this ! perfectly ooiffed and hatted lady is wearing and you will be able to decipher the word “amour” design fully patterned in stripes on the printed silk. The blousette is worn over a black silk crepe dress. The silk print is done in black and gray i on a white silk crepe. The breton : sailor she wears flared off the fore head instead of tilted forward is a ; “last word" hat fashion. Nosegays tor Buttonhole A smart Paris wrinkle is an eve ning corsage of dahlias in seven different tones or one with three j lilac sprays, white and mauve violets. GLASS SLIPPERS ARE LATEST FOOT MAGIC By CHEKIE NICHOLAS Glass slippers for the modern Cinderella are the latest word in foot-magic from Paris. To show that they are a 1937 vogue and won't actually disappear at midnight, they are trimmed in gold kid and show bright nail lacquer gleaming through. Another version of the Cinderella slipper is created of woven strands of crystal. This, too, is semi-trans parent. Other more practical types of footwear for spring indicate the growing importance of the pedicure as a fashion requisite. Tipped-toe shoes (with just the tip cut out at front, sports and evening slippers made of twisted bands of printed linen—all reveal lace-tipped stock ings and brightly lacquered toes. Rust and ruby-red and burgundy are especially popular, usually worn a tone deeper than the fingernails. Roman sandals and flat-heeled gold evening slippers with tiny strappings will be particularly popu lar with the "tall and willowy.” Printed slippers made from the same material as the evening gown and colored kid sandals are also high in favor. Ventilated Headwear Is Latest Edict From Paris Ventilated headwear is a top note in the new collection Agnes shows. Pie-shaped wedges are cut out of black brims that lie low and hug the hair. Half-hats that reach back only to the ears are finished the rest of the way with flowing bladk veils. A wide-brimmed black Panama, cut In two lengthwise, joins to gether again with half a dozen bows of black velvet baby ribbon. All its edges are also velvet-bound. Agnes, too, makes much use of ribbon. Birdlike bows perch on the crowms of her sailor hats and stand aloft on the “cut-away” fronts of her off-the-face models. AROUND the HOUSE k Items of Interest [I to the Housewife Colorful Apples — If apples are put in water containing a little lemon juice a few minutes before cooking, they will keep their color • * * Angel Cake — One cupful of white of eggs, one and one-quarter cupfuls of granulated sugar. One cupful of flour. One-half teaspoon cream of tartar A pinch of salt added to whites before whipping; flavor to taste. Cook in a very slow oven. Yolks of the eggs may be used for mayonnaise. * * • Oiling Household Machinery— A little oil applied when needed will keep household machinery working longer and always ready for work. You can use cooking or salad oil to lubricate small cook ing equipment. When Washing Paint—Add a lit tle turpentine to the hot soapy water. It greatly simplifies the job and makes much less ‘‘elbow grease” necessary, especially when the paint has that rather greasy film caused by the fumes from fires or gas stoves. * * * Bechamel Sauce—Melt a quar ter cup butter in saucepan, add one-quarter cup flour, stir until smooth. Adfl gradually one and a half cups of highly seasoned chick en stock while stirring constantly. Add one-half cup of hot cream and beat until smooth and glossy. Knowledge WE GREEDILY ask of a man, “Does he know Latin or Greek? Does he write poetry or prose?” But whether he has become better or worse we never care, a straw. We ought to ask, not who knows the most, but who knows the best. In true education any thing that comes to our hand is as good as a book. So ex amine every man’s talent, a peasant, a bricklayer, a pass erby. You may learn some thing from all, each in his own line, of the real affair of this earth—how to live and die well. —Montaigne, 1533-1592. Season with salt, pepper and fine grating of nutmeg. If a yellow sauce is desired, remove sauce from range and add the beaten yolks of two eggs diluted with one-quarter cup warm cream. Do not allow sauce to boil after adding egg yolks. * * * Cleaning Reed Furniture — A stiff brush dipped in furniture pol ish is good for cleaning reed and rattan furniture. * • • Garbage as a Compost—Gar bage and vegetable matter of all sorts buried underground will in time rot into excellent compost for use on lawn, garden or field. • • * Stuffed Celery—Prepare inner stalks of celery. Fill them with equal parts of creamed Rocque fort and cream cheese, mashed till smooth with paprika, and serve side by side on a boat shaped dish, or diced, in place of celery and cheese. Or if preferred use creamed cream cheese for the filling after flavoring it to taste with pepper, salt, paprika, chopped chives or shallots and pimiento. A touch of tomato cat sup can also be added. ©—WNU Service. __2 Average Wedding Age In the United States today the average age at marriage is 21.7 years for women and 24.b years , for men. Today, women marryr four months earlier and men eleven months earlier than they did 21 years ago.—Collier’s Weekly. Dr. Pierce’s Favorite Prescription is a tonic which has been helping women of all ages for nearly 70 years. Adv. Debts of Honor I pay debts of honor, not hon orable debts.—Reynolds. A WORD OF ] ADVICE TO HOUSEWIVES Don’t take chances with your furniture polish. Use only genuine O-Cedar Polish —first choice of housekeepers the world «over for 30 years. Quickly re* stores lustre, protects and preserves your furniture. A ^ Full satisfaction Ar guaranteed. Af • Many a famous Southern cook has made her reputation with Jewel pastry, cakes, and hot breads. A Special-Blend of vegetable fat with other bland cooking fats, Jewel actually creams faster; makes more lender baked foods. And, with a high smoke point, it’s excellent for frying. % SECRET A DESERTED MILL/ MELVIN PURVIS, FORMER ACE G-MAN, AND HIS SECRET OPERATORS CAPTURE THE MARQUETTE COUNTERFEITERS! jrsssssa.* 3 MFL™ 'sms■*— 5 1 ;E-2LE*«2i&y«•£“?j; 1 5 -3 s-aflssssassaa * does not paicj U Melvin Purvis visits Billy and Sally, two of his — Secret Operators living in a town near tho Canadian border... C I'M UP HERE AFTER A GANG OF COUNTERFEITERS SMUGGLING FAKE MONEY INTO CANADA AND PASSING IT THERE...IF I SHOW MYSELF TOO MUCH AROUND HERE IT'LL AROUSE SUSPICION. AND SO I WANT vOU TWO TO SCOUT AROUND THE COUNTRY SIDE... SEE IF YOU CAN SPOT ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY After two days of combinp the country side, Ililly and Sally arrive at an old deserted lumber mill, end... ^SURE WE GOT EVERYTHING,' PIERRE? THIS NEIGHBOR HOOD MAKES ME NERVOUS --I WANT TO CLEAR OUT pi/ OU|-*ZE MONEY PRIN UNO PRESS SHE IS ON ZE TRUCK UNOER ZE LOAD Of WOOD... NOW WE „ LEAVE QUEECK FOR CANADA! , fTHEY'LL ESCAPE GEFORE WE CAN GET WORD TO MR.DURVlS’*WHAT'lL WE TSTEP ON IT AN' WEllt TlBE OVER THE BORDER 1 "TTINANHOURlti I - - /the SECRET OPERATORsS -> GUILTY SIGN//1 'well, "MILLIONS* MARQUETTE, 'I THE JIG IS UP! YOU TWO CAN USE ALL THAT NICE COUNTERFEIT MONEY YOU PRINTED TO RENT 'that WAS MIGHT Y CLE VER OF YOU QlLLv'l -MARKING THAT TRUCK WITH OUR SECRET OPERATORS GUILTY SIGN TO LET ME KNOW IT WAS THE COUNTERFEITERS!... HAVE SOME MORE POST TOASTIES? ThEY RE JUST WHAT MY SECRET OPERATORS NEED-AFTER A j ^trenuousoay!^ j THAN—V If W MR. PURVIS-• m i m ^ vou °£T 1 willI- y BOYS' BIN (left). GIRLS' BIN (above). Both of polished gold bronze, satin-gold finish. Sent FREE, together with Secret Operator s Manual to* 2 i e I enclose 2 Post Toasties peckMte-tops. Please send me Secret Operator s Badge and Manual. Check whetflef | boy ( ) or girl ( ). Put correct postage on letter. } Name-----| G(Vr txpiru D€ctmktr il7iw£TG<*** *U.S. A.~)~ S U-.-- — •—e-aaae. — —