Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-12-26

anu SOOQ SplrilS ludt luoSt LII
pressed them. His teeth scenes
perpetually to ache with desire
and in lieu Of black legs he husked tn
cocoanuts that fell from the trees IL
the compound. kept the enclosure clea
of intruding hens. and made a hostil'
acquaintance with every boss boy VIII
came to report.
Christian Young sailed away In th'
Minerva. carrying an invitation (tha
would be delivered nobody knew when
to Tommy Jones to drop In at Berand'
the next time he was passing.
What are your plans when you ge
to Sydneyy" Sheldon asked that nigh
at dinner
"First I've heard that I'm going Il
Sydney" Joan retorted. II suppose
you've received information. by busl
telegraph. that that third assistant IN
derstrapper and ex-sailormaD at Tulag
is going to deport me as All undesirable
immigrant"
"Oh, no. nothing of the sort. l assure
you," Sheldon began with awkward
haste. fearful of having offended
though he knew not how. II was just
wondering. that was all. You see. with
the loss of the schooner and-and al
| the rest-you underestimate was think
ing that if-a-if-hang 1t all. until
you could communicate with your
friends. my agents at Sydney could ad
vance you loan. temporary you see
why I'd be only too glad and all the
rest. you know. The proper
But his jaw dropped and he regarded
her irritably and with apprehension.
What is the matter?" he demanded
with show Of heat. What have
done now?"
Certainly not the unexpected" she
said quietly Merely ignored me IN
your ordinary. everyday, man god. su
perior fashion. Naturally 1t counted
for nothing. my telling you that | hat
no idea Of going TO Sydney. Go tt
Sydney I must. because you. in youl
superior wisdom. have so decreed.'
She paused and looked at him curl
ously. us though he were some strange
breed of animal.
"Of course am grateful for youI
offer of assistan nee: but even that is nc
salve to wounded pride. For tina,
matter. II Is no more than one white
man should expect from another
Shipwrecked mariners are always
helped along their way. Only this
particular mariner doesn't need any
help. Furthermore. this mariner Ii
not going to Sydney. thank you"
"But what do you intend to do"
Find some spot where l shall
escape the indignity Of being patron
lied and bossed by the superior SEX
Come now. that is putting 1t bi
too strongly" Sheldon laughed. but
the strain in his voice destroyed the
effect Of spontaneity. "You know
yourself how impossible the situation
is."
81 know nothing of the sort, sir
And if it is impossible, well. haven
achieved it?'
But 1t cannot continue. Really
"Oh. yes. 1t can. Having achieved
It, can go on achieving it. ! Intend
to remain in the Solomons, but not or
Berande. Tomorrow | am going Il
take the whaleboat over to Part
Sulay. was talking with Captain
Young about it He says there are al
least four hundred acres. and every
foot Of It good for planting. First
I'll buy the Island; next get forty ol
fifty recruits and start clearing ano
planting; and at the same time III
run up a bungalow; and then you'll
be relieved of my embarrassing pres
ence-now don't say that 1t isn't"
ut is embarrassing" he said bluntly
But you refuse to see my point OF
view, so there is no use in discussing It
Now please forget all about 1t and con
slider me at your service concerning
this-this project OF yours. Suppose
the government sells you Pari-Sulay a
n pound an acre. clearing will cost yor
at least "a more-that is, f5 for 4V
acres. or. say, $4,000. Have you thai
much?"
"No; l haven't quite SS,OOO."
"Then here's another way OF LOOKING
at it: You'll need. as you said. at leas
fifty boys. Not counting premiums
their wages are $50 year"
81 pay my Tahitians S15 month";
she interpolated.
"They won't do on straight plantation
work. But to return. The wages o.
fifty boys each year will come to fSO
that is, $500. Very well. 1t Will bt
seven years before your trees begin Il
bear. Seven times $500 Is S1O.5OO-
more than you possess. and all eater
up by the boys wages. with nothing
to pay for bungalow. building. tools
ouinine. trips to Sydney and 30 forth.
Sheldon shook his head gravely
you'll have to abandon the idea"
But won't go to Sydney" sh'
cried. II simply won't. Ill buy Il
to the extent of my money as small
partner In some other plantation. LIE
me buy 1t in Berandew
Heaven forbidp he cried In suci
genuine dismay that she broke lnt'
hearty laughter.
There. l won't tease you. Really
you know. I'm not accustomed u
forcing my presence where 1t Is mo-
desired. Yet as you said yourself. Il
was impossible for me to 60 away. 81
| had to stay. You wouldn't let mn
20 to Tulagi. You compelled me t
force myself upon you. But l won
buy In as partner with any one. II
buy Pari-Sulay. but I'll put only tel
boys on 1t and clear slowly. Also
I'll invest In some old ketch and tax
out a trading license. For that mat
ter. ri 20 recruiting on Malaita."
| She looked for protest and found
in Sheldon's clenched hand and II
every line of his clean cut face.
go ahead and say it." she chal
lenged. please don't mind me. In
I'm getting used to 1t. you know
Really l am"
II wish | were a woman so as q
tell you how preposterously insane an
impossible 1t is" he blurted out
up.,t.r ,han that you are Q man