The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-04-05

II like the natives" was her "a.
Spouse. IT liked Mr.. Edwards a little.
at first. But think Mr. SprfRrs Il
crazy, But he has a nice way about
him, In spite OF the foolish ideas he
has. wonder what they'll think when
I'm gone tomorrow"
They'll probably swear a little and
drink a great DEAL" he said, carelessly.
Naturally. they won't look with favor
on my carrying you on"
I observed that she glanced az him
with a slight shrinking. His tone had
reused her pride. II am merely going
as passenger on your schooner" she
said. quietly. ''I hope they will un-
derstand that there Is nothing personal
in my choosing to go on the Bessie
Martin"
What difference does It make?' ne
Tested. What do you and care for
the opinion of jealous fools2'
At that moment heard a cry behind
me. turned round and saw a native
running up. He passed me and dash
ed upon the porch. "Missa, missa.' he
sobbed. "Spira go deadi"
The words were hardly out OF the
mans mouth when Paul rose and
kicked him. "Get out OF herei" he
yelled with an oath. The native stag
gered TO one side and sobbed again.
"Spira go deadl" II was his last mes
sage. The butt OF Paurs revolver fell
on his head and with grunt he rolled
into the bushes at my feet.
Miss Jenkins. at that first cry. had
risen to her feet, her sewing in her
hand. AT PauFs kick she had started
backward and when. following on the
last cry, her companion had thrust the
poor messenger out OF life. her face
showed me that sudden realization
of her situation had come.
Paul turned and caught her express
sion He smiled uneasily and tried 20
reassure her. 81 had 10 do IL 20 pro-
tect You" he said. COMPOSING his face,
THAT assassin might have killed YOU
I am glad I was here"
she faced him superbly. THANK +
you. And you killed Mr.. spriggs. too2 X
Have 10 thank you for that?'
What do you mean?" ne began.
'I-" He stopped short. Her gaze vas 4
tn pro'oun1 - meet with falsehood'
Il nod to do H." he said. ito save you
to save uvseIf--to save US"
she sill looked at him and I felt.
rather than saw. that the mans nerve
was weakening. He had sung divine-
~ while we both (as he had reason 20
beHeve) Law dead without. But now
fear. though tardily. had seized upon
him and unless he conquered his cow
ardice, and the woman who faced him.
II had all been for nothing.
Then a strange thing happened. Paul
stencil from the doorway towards herH
AMI his foot struck something. Almost
instantly there began "A low burning IN N
the room behind him. and before he n
r~n17 turn TO see what ~ was. a voice Nh
sang from the darkness: a cracked
voice. unframed. but-a human voice.
The wind OF death. that softly blows
The last warm petal from the rose,
The last dry leaf from on the tree,
Tonight has come 20 breathe on me.
Miss Jenkins sank shuddering into
her chair. Paul slowly. with a strain (.
Ing neck. twisted his head that neM
might face this invisible and Oracular
singer. myself shook among the
vines. trying 10 realize the situation
But my mind refused 70 work. the
voice. harsh. unbeautiful and plangent
was the voice Of Spriggs.
without any pause. but the time con
sumed in long indrawing OF the
breath, which 7 heard-we heard-dis-
tlnctly. the voice went on:
There was a time learned 70 hate
A weaker rnortals learn 20 love;
The passion held me fixed az fate.
Burned in my veins early and late
But now a wind falls from above
The wind Of death
The words no longer reached ny
earg. 7 was watching Paul. He seem
I'd fastened where he stood. his head
visited over his shoulder. was look
ing in that doorway. too. I saw noth-
ny. But his face was stifening with
horror. Suddenly he stumbled forward.
,aught himself on his hands and then.
throwing his head backward. dashed
,ut past me into the open with yei
y terror.
fell through the vines upon the
porch. Miss Jenkins's white face vas
TIN turned towards the doorway and
heard again the voice. SIN singing;
CONTINUED on Page Twelve)