Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-08-12

great hopes"
He thrust his hand into the pocket
Of his ragged trousers and drew out a
letter.
This" he said, "came by the last
fruit steamer-the one that goes on
further south. It's from her. She says
that as l can't leave my work-imag-
Inc my work!-to come to her, she
is coming down here to marry me.
She is coming on the Southern Cross,
due here tomorrow"
you've written her not to come, OF
course" said the consul with convic-
ton.
Brant smiled YEARLY.
"You forgot the steamer this letter
came on two months ago doesn't stop
on its way north. There Is no mail
north until the Southern Cross goes
back. She is coming tomorrow"
Good Lordl' said the consul ex-
citedly, as the truth Of the matter
dawned upon him.
Now" said Brant with more de-
termination than the consul dreamed
he could muster. 81 want your help.
First, l want you to lend me a razor
and some clothes, If you will. I'll meet
her tomorrow in fairly respectable
guise; but l don't dare trust myself
after l see her. l want to bring her
here to the consulate, and l want you
to tell her-here, before me-what
manner of man 1 am.
He opened the soiled shirt, and from
the inside unpinned a few bills.
81 made this working with the ma
tives on n Of the plantations. It's
the passage money back. I want you
to send her back to the States. VIII
your"
The consul was lost in thought for
some time. The other waited patient
ly.
"See here" said the consul at length,
81 stand In pretty well with Toro and
his cabinet. I think can get you a
place on the railroad the government
is building"
Brant held out a deprecating hand.
Rum and the coast have played a
merry game with me-" he said mean
ingly. You'd better send her back
first. Then I'd like to try again."
The consul suddenly seized Brant's
hand.
"Ill do my best for you," he prom
ised.
Antigua behaved herself the follow
ing day. At sunset, Brant and the
consul stood on the beach, watching
the great bulk Of the Southern Cross
glide to her moorlngs through the
CLASSY water. The palms stood out
sharply against a sky of red and gold,
and far to the east dim little stars
were struggling to peep out Of the pale
blue sky.
Both men stood silently on the shore;
Brant calm and straight, his eyes on
the unruf1ed bay; the consul, with one
hand holding his hat, the other nerv-
ously pulling his mustache.
Presently the gig was lowered from
the steamers side with much scream
ing Of the davit-blocks. Without Il
word the consul walked back to his
little shack and entered the room that
served him as office.
Some moments later he heard the
tread of footsteps on the veranda and
a girls light laughter. The consul rose
and involuntarily squared his shout
ders.
Brant entered and with him was a
dark-eyed, laughing girl. The consul
experienced a sudden overwhelming
sense Of helplessness.
He vas vaguely aware that Brant
was speaking words Of ~introduction;
vaguely aware that he had taken a
soft little hand In his own, and that he
was looking into a pair of happy, I'M
clouded eyes. Then there was a strain
ed silence until Brant coughed nerv-
ously. The consul cleared his throat,
redeemed to the roots of his hair, and
began:
Miss Kent, / want to say a few
words to you about Mr.. Brant and
and-er-this coast. l fear you have
been deceived, or at least that matters
have been more or less overdrawn to
you"
The girls eyes grew wide with a
troubled, questioning look. Grayson
set his teeth.
"He has deceived you bEutally," the
consul blurted out. "You must 20
back to the States"
81 don't understand you. We are to
be married here. l shall stay" said
the girl bravely.
Il tell you he has deceived you,"
said the consul savagely. "You must
go back"
The big eyes grew frightened. Her
lip quivered. Then she caught one Of
Brant's hands in both her own.