The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-04-05
1conttnned from last sunday)

7 did not attempt TO nght nIEl- a
great wear iness was upon me ana
felt that there would be nothing gained
in q battle. especially where 1 was sc
completely in the wrong. L won hgh
Won" I told him. I'm fact, I'll apollo
gize. But you owe her an apology
deeper than mine. You brought heE
here. You put her in this position
where she feels helpless between two
men who have no thought but Tor
themselves. You, Spriggs, are to blame
that that little woman is here teaching
little Kanakas the love Of God when
she herself hasn't soul to look 10
exrept YOU and me- And what are we
that woman should trust herself to
US? I could kill you when 1 think
of IT."
He wilted under my words. There
in the dusk of that echoing warehouse
I heard him groan. Then he fell silent
a long while. 1 could not even near
his breathing. Then he got up and
slowly went out.
The next month passed like night
mare Miss Jenkins spoke to neither
of rs and Spriggs avoided me as If L
were plague-stricken. Then one morn
ing we saw a schooner in the road
a spruce Australian boat, from all ap-
pearances. Spriggs and I met on the
beach to discuss it. Neither OF US
couId make out what had brought any
one to Sisal, but our debate was not
ended when Miss Jenkins came down.
her face lit up and her hair flying
in the breeze. That's the mail, isn't
it?" she demanded.
Snriggs looked out again at the
schooner and shook his head. ITS not
the sMahukona'," he said. I'VE don
know what vessel it is.
She looked at US indifferently. IL
doesn't matter what vessel 1t Is, sne
said. II can go back to the states
on It,"
yes" T said. you can perhaps go
back to the States on 1t. But would
advise you to wait and see what
schooner it is and who is on it before
YOU start Here comes the boat.
The small boat pulled away from the
cleaning hull and started in toward
the beach. There were two natives at
the oars. In the sternsheets two men
in white clothes Iolled easily.
A moment later the boat spun up into
the air on q sparkling crest. the Ka-
nakas ieaped out and the little craft
swung up amid cries and laughter to
the sand at our feet. The white men
stepped out and waved hands in greet
ing s'Is this Sisal?' said one Of them
This is Sisal." Spriggs answered.
What schooner is that?'
''The Bessie Martin Of Auckland.
said the speaker.
True enough, the vessel was Austria
Han built. as one could see. But the
two men were Americans. The man
who had spoken could be nothing else
from his accent. His companion APP
peared TO be a seafaring man, prob
ably the master of the Bessie Martin
The combination was suspicious. But
the youngish fellow seemed quite un-
aware of my attitude, for he shook
hands affably. slapped Spriggs's huge
shoulder and took of his hat to Miss
Jenkins without a trace of embarrass-
ment- This done, he turned to his COM
panfon who stood at one side. Let
me introduce Captain Billy Pix" he
said.
Captain Pix's mouth opened and
shut, but not word issued. His wood
en- face did not alter a hairs breadth.
I set Captain Billy down as hard
customer.
What is your name?" asked.
rudely enough.
Herbert Paul, at your service" the
younger man said pleasantly. and
may I be favored with an introduction
to SisaI and its dear peopIe?''
The words were insolent but the tone
perfect. This is Mr.. Spriggs," 1 said,
pointing to him. "I am James Ed
wards" / stopped. hoping that Miss
Jenkins would take the hint and go
home.
You have not favored me with an
introduction to the lady" Paul re-
minded me quickly. You should not
be 50 selfish
I looked at Miss Jenkins. She was
smiling and there was nothing else to
do than say, Miss Jenkins, allow me
to present Mr.. Paul"
''Ah, Miss Jenkins. 7 am delighted to
meet you" he said briskly Allow
me to be enrolled among your SER
wants"
He turned to me with a wave Of a
well-kept hand. How fortunate you
are, Mr., Edwards to have your fair
relative with you. Now on the Bessie
Martin we are quite a bachelor crowd.
Indeed. Miss Jenkins, yours is the first
white face I have seen in months,
ne FhooSu MS naRdS ana smiled all
around.
Spriggs, whose face had been lower
ing a good two minutes, broke out,
Miss Jenkins, sir. is the missionary
in charge Of this station. She is net
q relative Of Edwards at ALL
Paul caught the tone and laughed. /
Miss Jenkins, you ought to teach
brotherly love TO these chaps. How ex-
elusive they are, to have a missionary
all TO themselves! I envy them." II
My wrath nearly got the better OF
ne. Spriggs had, as usual. played the
fool and tangled the matter up so as
70 be compromising anyway we tried !,
to straighten It out. And PauPs tone
was distinctly suggestive that he might
go far in impudence. Miss Jenkins
solved he situation for the moment by
saying: Mr. Paul, I do hope you are
going to the States. have been wait
ing for weeks for a ship TO take me-
away" Ii
And leave these benighted men to J
their own aevices?" he answered light {
". I'VE shall be more than glad Of I