The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-12-28

4-~ --.I day Sneioon was IeIc ali
alone. Joan had gone exploring Pari-
Sulay and was not to be expected back
until the late afternoon. The loss OF
the Jessie had hit Berande severely.
Not alone was his capital depleted by
the amount Of her value. but her earn
ings were no longer TO be reckoned on,
and 1t was her earnings that largely
paid the running expenses OF the plan
tation.
"Poor old Hughie" be muttered
to see it. old man. What cropper,
what cropper.'
Between squalls the Flibberty Gibbet
ran into anchorage. and her skipper,
Pete Oleson (brother to the Oleson Of
the JESSIE, ancient, grizzled, wild
eyed, emaciated By fever, dragged his
weary frame up the veranda steps and
collapsed in a steamer chair. Whlskey
and soda kept him going while he
made report and turned in his accounts.
You're rotten with fever" Sheldon
said. "Why don't you run down TO
Sydney for a blow of decent climatew
The old skipper shook his head.
81 can't. I've been in the islands too
long I'd die. The fever comes out
worse down there"
xiii or cure" Sheldon counseiled.
"It's straight kill for me. l tried
it three years ago. The cool weather
put me On my back before l landed.
They carried me ashore and into hos
| pital. I was unconscious one stretch
! for two weeks After that the doctors
sent me back to the islands-said 1t
! was the only thing that would save
| me. Well, I'm still alive. But I'm
| too soaked with fever. A month i'll
Australia would finish me-"
He declined to sleep ashore. took his
orders, and went back on board the
cutter. A lurid sunset was blotted out
| by the heaviest squall of the day, and
| Sheldon watched the whaleboat arrive
in the thick Of it. AS the spritsail was
| taken in and the boat headed on to the
beach, he was aware of distinct hurt
at sight of Joan at the steering oar,
standing erect and swaying her
strength to it as she resisted the pres
sures that tended to throw the craft
broadside in the surf Her Tahitians
leaped out and rushed the boat high up
the beach. and she led her bizarre
following through the gate of the COM
pound.
Lovely, perfectly lovely-Pari-
Sulay," she painted. II shall buy it
I'll write to the commissioner tonight
And the site for the bungalow-Fve
selected it already-is wonderful. You
must come over some day and advise
me. You won't mind my staying here
until can get settled? Wasn't that
squat beautiful! And l suppose I'm
late for dinner. I'll run and get clean
and be with you in minute"
do you know, I'm never going ia
squabble with you again." he an
nounced. when they were seated.
"Squabble.' was the retort. Its
such a sortlid word It sounds cheap
and nasty. I think it's much nicer tc
quarrel
Call it what you please, but we
won't do 1t any more, will We" He
cleared his throat nervously, for bel
| eyes advertised the immediate begin
ming of hostilities. II beg your par
dom" he hurried on. 81 should have
spoken for myself. What l mean i:
that refuse to quarrel. You have thu
most horrible way. without utterin&
word, Of making me play the fool
Why. l began with the kindliest in
tentions. and here am now
i Making nasty remarks" she com
pleted for him.
"It's the way you have Of catching
me up he complained.
"Why l never said a word. I wa:
merely sitting here. being sweetly