The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-12-31

etau ItlIlS, UOODleS anu COIllOIdulS
We're skimming and diving, while
above them number of graceful frigate
birds-thOse swart, scarlet-throated pi-
rates of the air-hung poised, ready to
swOOp down and rob the weaker birds
of their fish. All about the headland
and the surrounding water was life
in fullest action. Even from where
he stood Blake could hear the
harsh clamor of the seafowl.
In marked contrast to this scene the
plain was apparently lifeless. When
Blake rose, a small brown lizard
darted away across the sand. Other
wise there was neither sight nor
sound of a living creature. Blake pom
dered this as he gathered his clothes
into the shade and began to dress.
Looks like the siesta is the all
round style in this God-forsaken hole"
he grumbled. Haven't seen so much
as a rabbit. nor even one land bird
May be a drought-no; must be the
dry season Whee, these things are
hot! I'm thirsty as a shark. Now,
where's that softly and her ladyship?
'Fraid she's in for tough time!"
He drew on his shoes with a jerk,
growled at their stiffness, and club
in hand, stepped clear of the brush to
look for his companions The first
glance along the foot of the cliff
showed him Winthrope lying under the
shade of the overhanging lodges, a few
yards beyond the sand beach. OF
Miss Leslie there was no sign Half
alarmed by this, Blake started for the
beach with his swinging stride Win
thrOpe was awake, and on Blake's APP
proach, sat up to greet him.
Hello" he called. Where have
you been all this time?"
Sleep. Where's Miss Leslie?"
shes around the point"
Blake grinned mockingly. Indeed,
But fawncy she won't be for long"
He would have passed on, but Win
trope stepped before him.
Don't go out there, Blake" he pro-
tested. 'I-ah-think it would be bet
ter if l went"
Why" demanded Blake.
Winthrope hesitated; but an impa-
tent movement by Blake forced an
answer: We'll, you remember, this
morning, telling us to dry our clothes"
Yes; | remember" said Blake so
you want to serve as lady's valet?"
Winthrope's plump face turned a
sickly yellow.
''I-ah-valet?- What do you mean,
sir? | protest. do not understand
yOu." he stammered But in the midst,
catching sight of Blakes bewidered
stare, he suddenly flushed crimson,
and burst out in unrestrained anger:
'You-you bounder-you beastly cad,
Any man with an ounce of decency-"
Blake uttered a jeering laugh
Wow. Hank, how the British lion
r-rro-ars when his tails twisted"
You beastiy cad" repeated the
Englishman, now purple with rage
Blakes unpleasant pleasantly gave
place to a scowl. His jaw thrust out
like a bulldogs, and he bent towards
WINTHROP with a menacing look. For
a moment the Englishman faced him,
sustained by his anger But there was
a steely light in Blake's eyes that he
| could not withstand Winthrope's de-
faint stare wavered and fell. He
shrank back, the color fast ebbing
from his cheeks.
Ugh" growled Blake. Guess you
won't blat any more about cads, You
damned hypocrite, Maybe I'm not
on to how you've been hanging around
Miss Leslie just because she's an
heircss. Anything is fair enough for
you swells. But let fellow so much
as open his mouth about your exalted
set, and it's perfectly dreadful, you
know"
He paused for a reply Winthrope
only drew back a step farther and
eyed him with a furtive, sidelong
glance. This brought Blake back to
his hooking jeer. You'll learn. Pat,
me by. There's lots of thingsll show
! up different to you before we get
through this picnic. For one thing.
I'm boss here-president, congress and
supreme court. Understand"
by what right, may | ask" MUIR
INJURED Winthrope
Right" answered Blake. "That
hasn't anything to do with the cues
tion-it's might. Back in civilized
parts your little crowd has the drop
on my big crowd and runs things to
suit themselves. But here we're sort
of reverted to primitive society. This
! happens to be the Club Age and I'm
/ the Man with the Big Stick. See?"
81 myself sympathize with the lower
I classes, Mr.. Blake. Above all, | think
1t barharous the way they punish one
who is forced by circumstances to
appropriate part of the ill-gotten gains
! OF the rich upstairs. But do you be-
! lieye, Mr.. Blake. that brute strength"
You bet! Now shut up. Where're
the cocoanuts?"
WINTHROP picked up two nuts and
handed them over.
There were only Ave-" he ex
| planned
"A'l right. I'm no captain of In
dustry."
"Ah, true; you said we had reverted
to barbarism," rejoined Winthrope,
venturing an attempt at sarcasm.
Lucky for you!" retorted Blake.
But where's Miss Leslie all this
time? Her clothes must have dried
/ hnYtrs