The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-11-29
A Romance of
The South Seas
BY
JACK LONDON


10 lduuCu lut WuditDohts VI Sbdh ~
myself for himy'
Both were now on their feet, she
with flushed cheeks and angry eyes,
he, puzzled. vexed and alarmed. The
black boy stood like a statue-a plumb
black statue--taking no interest in the
transactions of these incomprehensible
whites.
But you won't do anything so fool
ish'- he began
There you go again." she cried
IL didn't mean it that way. and you
know didn't" He was speaking slow
" and gravely. And that other thing.
that not permitting--it is only a man
ner of speaking. OF course | am not
your guardian. You know you can 20
to Guvutu If you want tor to the
devil, he was almost tempted to add
"Ony, should deeply regret it. that Is
ALL And am very sorry that should
have said anything that hurt you. Re-
member | am an Englishman."
Joan smiled and sat down again.
perhaps | have been hasty." she
admitted. "You see, | am intolerant of
restraint If you only knew how have
been compelled to fight for my free
dom. 1t is Il sore point with me, this
being told what | am to do or not to
do by you self constituted lords of
creation. Niaburi. You stop along
kitchen. No bring IN Noa Noah. And
now, Mr.. sheldon. what am to do:
You don't want me here. and there
doesn't seem to be any place for me to
CO."
THAT is unfair. Your being wrecked
here has been Il godsend to me. | was
very lonely and very sick. | really am
not certain whether or not | should
have pulled through had you not hap
penpd along. Brt that Is not the point.
Personally. purely seltiShly personally.
| should he sorry to see you go. But |
am not considering myself. | am con
sidering you Tit is hardly the proper
thing. you know. If were married
if there were some woman of your own
race here but rs it is
She threw up her hands in mock de
spar.
IL cannot follow YOU" she said. "ln
one breath you tell me | must 90. and
in the next breath you tell me there is
no place 10 go and that you will not
permit me TO 80. What is q poor girl
to do:'
That's the trouble" he said help
lessly.
"And the situation annoys you"
only for your sake"
Then let me save your feelings by
telling you that ii does not annoy me
at all-eXcept for the row you ar"
making about it. never allow what
can't be changed to annoy me. /
can't go elsewhere. by your own
count. You certainly cant go else
where and leave me here alone with -
whole plantation and 200 woOlly can
nibals on my hands. Therefore. you
stay. and ! stay. 1t is very simple.
Also. it is adventure. And further
more. You needn't worry for yourself.
am not matrimoniaIly inclined. /
came Ia the SoIomons for pIanta
lion. not husband
sheldon flushed. but remained silent.
Il know what you are thinking"
she laughed gayly. That If ! were n
man. you'd wiring my neck for me.
And deserve it. too. I'm so sorry.
ought not to keep on hurting your
feelings"
I'm afraid | rather invite it," ne
said. relieved by the signs OF the
tempest subsidlng.
81 have it," she announced. LEND
me gang of your boys for today.
I'll build a grass house for myself
over in the far corner of the COM
pound-on piles. of course. can
move in tonight. I'll be comfortable
and safe. The Tahitians can keep an
anchor watch just as aboard ship.
And then I'll study cocoanut planting.
In return, I'll run the kitchen end of
your household ana give you some
decent food TO eat. And finally,
won't listen TO any of your protests.
On the other hand. II you don't agree,
l will go across the river beyond your
Jurisdiction. and build a village for
myself and my sailors, whom | shall
send in the whaleboat 10 Guvutu fol-
provisions. And now want you to
teach me billiards"
Joan took hold of the household with
no uncertain grip. revolutionizing
things till Sheldon hardly recognized
the place. For the first time the bun
galow was clean aud orderly. No
longer the house boys loafed and did
as little as they could; while the cook
complained that head belong him
walk about too much" from the siren
nous course In cookery which she put
him through. Nor did Sheldon escape
being roundly lectured for his lazi
ness In eating nothing but timed pro
visions She called him muddleI
and slouch. aud other invidious
names for his slackness and his dis
regard Of healihful food.
She sent bei whah boat down the
coast twra'v Iail..S Ter lines aud or
anges. 49, 90" IA ~ knew n"l'