Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-01-02

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house; look IN grass land: look IN
river; look IN whaleboat-my word,
plenty big fella look IN too much"
What fella man them two fella 2"
she queried--
big fella marster along white man"
was the extent Of his description.
But Joan decided that they were men
of importance in the Solomons and
that their examination of the planta-
ton and of its accounts was Of sinis.
ter significance.
At dinner no word was dropped that
gave q hint Of their errand The con.
versation was on general topics. but
Joan could not help noticing the
troubled. absent expression that occa.
sionally came into Sheldon's eyes. Aft
er coffee she left them. and at mid
night. from across the compound. she
could hear the low murmur OF their
voices and see glowing the fiery ends
Of their cigars Cp early herself. she
found they had already departed on
another tramp over the plantation.
what you think" she asked Via
burr.
sheldon marster he go along finish
short time little Bit" was the an
swer.
What do you thinkT' she asked Orn
fri
sheldon marster big fella walk
about along Sydney. Yes. Inc tink 80
he finish along Berande."
what namew she asked lightly
when Sheldon sat down TO dinner
he looked at her and smiled. but II
was very wan and wistful smile.
MY word" she went on. "One big
fella talk. Sun he go down-talk-talk;
sun he come up-talk-talk: all the time
talk.talk What name that fella talk
talkT"
"Oh. nothing much" he shrugged
his shoulders They were trying to
buy Berande. that was all"
Don't let US fence about It," she
urged "l.et 1t be straight talk be-
tween Us. You're In trouble. I'm not
a fool. Tell me. Besides. ! may be
able to help toto suggest some
thing"
In the pause that followed he
seemed to debate. not 80 much
whether he would tell her. as how to
begin to tell her
I'm American, you see." she per
sisted. land our American heritage is
u large parcel OF business sense.
don't like It myself. but ! know I've
got lt-at least more than you have.
lie, US talk it over and And way
out How much do you over
"A thousand pounds and few
tribes overs small bills. you know.
Then. too thirty of the boys finish
their time next week and their bal
ances will average s10 each. Blu,
what is the need Of bothering your
head with It? Really. you know
what is Berande worth-right
now?'
-Whatever Morgan and Ran are
willing to pay for it" A glance at
her hurt expression decided him
"Rughie and ! have sunk fS.000 In
Il and our time. It is good prop.
erty and worth more than that But
it has three years to run before Its
returns begin to come in. That Is why
Hughie and engaged In trading and
recruiting. The Jessie and our sta
lions came very near to paying the
running expenses Of Berande."
"And Morgan and Ra6 offered you
WHAT
"a thousand pounds clear after pay
ing all bills"
"The thieves" she cried. "How
upch do you need to carry on Be
randa for three yearsr' Joan hurried
on
1.-TWO hundred boys at f6 yeaI
mpans l3,aMt- THAT'S the main item"
"Mv. how cheap labor does mount
MP! Thirty-si1 hundred pounds, $1S'
600, 1ust for a lot Of cannibalsi Ye
the place is good security. You coult
60 down to Sydney and raiso the mon
ey."
He shook his head.
.You can't get them to look at plan
tations down there. They've beer
taken In too often. But do hate Il
give the place up-more for Hughie'l
sake, I swear. than my own. he wai