The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-04-07

hoisted over the rail. shivering and
chattering like an ape. The rest was
easy. Kina-Kina's word was law,
and he was scared to death. And we
kept him on board issuing proclama-
tions all the time we were in Poonga-
Poonga.
1T was a good move, too, in other
ways She made Kina- Kina order bis
people to return all the gear they'd
stripped from the Martha. She-here
she comes now"
1t was with a shock OF surprise that
Sheldon greeted her appearance. The
ready made clothes from Sydney had
transformed her. A simple skirt and
shirt waist of some sort of wash goods
set of her trim figure with a hint of
elegant womanhood that was new to
him. Brown slippers peeped out as
she crossed the compound, and he
once caught glimpse to the ankle Of
brown openwork stockings. Some
how she had been made many times
the woman by these mere extraneous
trappings.
1--WE opened up a new field" she
said as she began pouring the coffee.
"Old Kina-Kina will never forget me,
I'm sure, and 1 can recruit there when
ever want / saw Morgan at Guvutu.
He's willing to contract for thousand
boys at 40 shillings per head Did l
| tell you that I'd taken out recruiting
license for the Marthaf / did. and the
Martha can sign eighty boys every
trip"
Sheldon smiled a tribe bitterly to
himself. The wonderful woman who
had tripped across the compound in
her Sydney clothes was gone. and he
was listening to the boy come back
again.
.
WELL" Joan said. with a sigh, "Tve
shown you hustling American meth
DDS that succeed and get somewhere.
and here you are beginning your mud
ding again."
Joan stood beside Sheldon and sigh
ed as she watched the Martha beating
from Savo, in command.
my, but she IL d witchl Look at
her eating up the water, and there's no
wind to speak of. Honestly, If I'd
dreamed OF the chance waiting for me
at Guvutu when bought her for less
than $500 I'd never have gone partners
with you. And in that case ia be sail:
ing her right now"
The justice Of her contention came
abruptly home to Sheldon.
"You make me feel like a big man
/ who has robbed a small child Of lol-
ly," he said, with sudden contrition-
And the small child Is crying for II"
She looked at him, and he noted that
her lip was slightly trembling and that
her eyes were moist
"But the small child won't cry any
more for it." she was saying. 'sThis
Is the last sob. But some day I'm go
ing to san the Martha again. / know
It. / know It"
| In reply, and quite without premedi-
tation. his hand went out to hers,
covering It az it lay ON the railing.
But he knew beyond the shadow Of
doubt that It was the boy that return
ed the pressure he gave, the boy sor-
rowing over the lost toy. The thought
chilled him.
Never mind" he said. ''You can
go sailing on the Martha any time you
please-recruiting on Maiaita IL you
want to-"
1t was a great concession he was
making. and he felt that hs did II
against his better Judgment Her re-
ception Of 1t was a surprise to him.
with old Kinross in command p
she queried. "No. thank you. He'd
drive me to suicide. ! couldn't stand
his handling OF her. I'll never step
on the Martha again unless it is to
take charge of her. I'm sailor, like
my father. and he could never bear
to see vessel mishandled."
An hour later. just as they were
riding out OF the compound. Sheldon
glanced at her sharply and noted her
face nothing. even as he looked. and
turning orange and green.
tits the fever" she said. 'T'n have
to turn back"
BY the time they were In the COM
pound she was shivering and shaking,
and he had to help her from her horse.
Funny. isn't itr' she said. with
chattering teeth. "Like seasickness-
not serious. but horribly miserable
while 1t lasts. I'm going to bed. Send
Noa Noah and viaburi to me. Tell
Ornfiri to make hot water. I'll be out
of my head in fifteen minutes. But
I'll be all right by evening. Short and
sharp is the way 1t takes me-"
! Sheldon obeyed her instructions
rushed hot water bottles along to her
and then sat on the veranda glancins
across the compound to the grass
house. Yes. he decided. the contention
of every white man In the islands was
right-the Solomons was no place for
a woman.
He clapped his hands and Lalaperu
came running.
Here, you" he ordered; ''go along
Ell