Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-09-24


exchange for what he c%atalogued as
happy days."
Miss Pelham made 1t a point to look
as fascinating as possible on the occa-
sion of these interesting trips into the
enemy's territory.
The enemy. doing his duty by his
clients with a determination that
seemed incontestable. was the last to
realize that an intrigue was shaping
itself to combat his ~endeavors. Von
Blitz, openly his friend and ally. de-
spite their sad encounter, was the
thorn which pricked the natives into
q state Of uneasiness and doubt as to
their agents sincerity.
They began to believe that no good
could come out of the daily meetings
of the three lawyers.
1t was yon Blitz who told the lead
ing men Of the island that their wives
the Persians. the Circassians, the
Egyptians and the Turkish houris-
were in love with the tall stranger.
1t was he who advised them 70 OBJ
serve the actions, to study the moods
of their women.
The German knew the condition Of
affairs in his own household. His
overthrow at the hands of the Ameri-
can had cost him more than physical
ignominy; his wives openly expressed
an admiration for their champion.
Every eye In Japat was upon him;
every hand was turning against him.
1t was Miss Pelham who finally took
It upon herself to warn the lonely
American. The look of surprise and
disgust that came into his face brought
her up sharply.
miss Pelham" he said coldly, will
you be kind enough to carry my con-
dolences to the ladies at court and
say that I recommend reading as an
antidote for the poison which idleness
produces. Neither my home nor my
barroom is open to ladies. If you don't
mind We'll go on with this report"
Miss Pelham flushed and looked very
uncomfortable
you're wrong about Lady Depping-
ham and Mrs. Browne" she began
hurriedly. They've never said any
thing mean about you. 1t was just
my miserable way of putting it. The
talk comes from the islanders. Mr..
Bowles has told Mr.. Britt and Mr..
Saunders. He thinks Won Blitz is
working against you, and he is sure
that all of the men are furiously jeal.
ous."
Perhaps there is something in what
you say. I'm grateful to you for pre-
pairing me-" 1t had suddenly come to
mind that the night before he had
seen a man skulking in the vicinity of
the bungalow.
"I just thought I'd tell you," muir.
INJURED Miss Pelham %nervously. 81
we don't want to see you get into
trouble-none of u.s."
"Thank you" After a long pause
he went on, lowering his voice: "Miss
Pelham. l have had a hard time here
It may interest You to know thai I
had decided to resign next month and
go home. I'm a living man. and a liv-
ing mar objects to a living death. But
I've changed my mind. I'll stick my
time out. I've got three months longer
to stay. and I'll stay. If Won Blitz
thinks he can drive me out, he's mis-
taken. I'll be here after you and your
friends up there have sailed away,
Miss Pelham-God bless you. you're all
white-and I'll be here when Won Blitz
and his wives are dancing to the tunes
l play. Now let's get back to work.
If Won Blitz is working In the dark,
I'll annna1 him fn 1hoxr htc had Ard
Miss Pelham" he concluded very slow
ly, "IIl promise to use a club. If neces-
sary. to drive the Persian ladies away.
So please rest easy on my account"
The next morning the town hustled
with a new excitement. A trim, beau
tiful yacht. flying strange colors.
steamed into the little harbor of Ara
tat. Every one knew that the yacht
brought the princess who was to visit
her ladyship.
The enemy came down from his bum
galow. attracted by the unusual and In
spring spectacle of a ship at anchor.
A line of anxiety marked his brow.
Two figures had watched his windows
all night long. sinister shadows that al
ways met his eye when 1t penetrated
the gloom of the moonlit forest.
Lord and Lady D%eppingham were on
the pier before him. Excitement and
joy illumined her face. Her eyes were
sparkling With anticipation. He could
almost see that she trembled In her
eagerness. He came quite close to
them before they saw him. Exhilara-
ton no doubt was responsible for the
very agreeable smile of recognition
that she bestowed upon him. The en-
envy could do no less than go to them
with bis ~pleasantest acknowledgment.
His rugged face relaxed into a most
charming, winsome smile. half diff
dent, half assured.
He passed among the wives of his
clients without so much as a sign of
recognition, coolly Indifferent to the
admiring glances that sought his face.