The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-07-21
~ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright. by J. b. Lippincott Coz

which proclaims a geographical limit
10 the Ten Commandments. To heI
mind, frost and virtue go as INSOFAR,
ably linked as self-indulgence and hot
baths, and while her intelligence has
never denied that a high mercury
might be looked for in the tropics, the
TACT of needing a fan on the day after
Christmas filed her with indignant
disgust.
We had made this pilgrimage to
avoid dampness, but on the way from
the boat to our lodging a raln-such
a rain as never fell in Boston-blot,
ted out every feature of the village.
The whole place was distressingly un,
like Fairhaven, Mass.
Our hostess offered apologies. Yes,
they were a triae upset. Carpenters
putting up a b%athhouse in the garden.
and 200 guests had just left (the
house accommodated 49,, sailors
from a gunboat, on three days shore
leave, for Christmas.
They have all left, did you say?"
My aunt countenanced no ~belligerents
but herself, and sitting upright on a
couch in Mrs. Brownies mysterious
parlor, she raked the shadowy corners
TOR trace of naval occupation.
"Yes, ma'am. All gone, that is,
but one He's quiet enough now, poor
lad" Mrs. Brownies voice neverthe-
less limited at anxiety.
First a lightning-quick patter Of
nnshod feet, then through the door
less doorway burst n fean, cinnamon
colored man, STRAIGHTFORWARD, straight
only showed these details. Our first
vision was a headlong tangle of brown
~nakedness and white drapery, radi-
ating terror and haste. An escaping
end of white stuff tripped him, and
with a Shrek he fell, rolled over, and
shot under the sofa upon which my
aunt sat waving her fan, Just In time
to escape the onslaught of a large,
black devil who brandished a trident
of great power and sharpness.
you Johnson, you sir! You ne
groes are a perfect pest!" Mrs.
Browne fearlessly addressed the fiend.
"You scare that coolie man crazy with
your nonsense. Clean crazy!"
The devil burst out in an impolite
genealogy of all coolies; my aunt,
partly treasured, raised a dominant
Massachusetts voice. At that moment
a curly-headed lad of some two and
twenty, with thick black hair, bold
black eyes and rosy cheeks smooth
as a girls. When he smiled. his full
red lips parted over teeth rs strong
and white as a sound young dogs.
He wore nondescript clothes, suggest
ing the sea, and a small gold seal
ring, on the little finger OF his left
hand. A fine, lusty creature born to
work hard, play hard, and satisfy his
keen young appetite upon all the
fruits Of the earth!
Seeing, after a CLEAN of amusement,
that my aunt's wordy anger covered
genuine fright, he babe the intruders
be gone, adding a touch OF authority,
as the masquerading negro seemed
disposed to linger.
Then indeed my aunt's eloquence
knew no bounds. And doctors
send invalids to this placed A nerv-
Gus woman might easily have died for
less!
II shall see"-for all her wisdom
turning In great crises to man, even
to ~beardless adolescence-"T shall see
That naNn \ pvrst1 e.. a. .otloI
with full details OF the truth about
this island! My niece shall help me
get of the letter by to-morrow's
boat!"
Now why was 1t that at this, the
lad lost color, grew sullen? The look
he gave us became distinctly hostile,
nay. worsel Fright. controlled but
unmistakable, showed In his whole
bearing. fright and encouragement.
Turning on his heel to leave, he
marched straight into two uniformed
officials, n quasi-white. one black.
both wearing stiff linen tunics. he'll
NETS, blue trousers with a stripe of
red.
"Mr. Frank Liston?" the white man
asked. "Gunboat Hecla?"
Where was the lads spirit, his nat
ural gayety? With a surly nod of as
sent he followed the unIrorms through
devious passages. out of sight.
My aunt. now interrogation persona
fed. TUNED to Mrs. Browne. They
come every day, just to see he's all
right. A mere FORM" the landlady ex-
planned.
DO all strangers on this island
live under police surveillance?' My
aunt had passed into regions far be-
yond surprise.
Before Mrs. Browne had time to re-
assure her. a gong summoned US to
a repast whose oddly struck me as q
merit and outraged my aunt's tradi-
ton and digestion.
Appeased by coffee of high perfec-
tion, Aunt Mary discovered a writing
room. Busiiy occupied with Journal
and letters, she reviled the heat and
sat close to a students lamp.
I strolled out on the gallery for O
first glimpse OF the crowded little
town. 10 n side, a hall. iddles and