The Mena weekly star., 1912-01-11
CHAPTER TX.


 pressed them. His teeth seemed
 perpetually to ache with desire and in lieu of black legs he husked the cocoanuts that fell from the trees in the compound. kept the enclosure clear of lntruding hens. and made hostile acquaintance with every boss boy who came to report.
 Christian Young sailed away in the Minerva. carrying an invitation (that would be delivered nobody knew when) to Tommy Jones to drop in at Berande the next time he was passing.
 What are your plans when you get to Sydney?" Sheldon asked that night at dinner.
 First I've heard that I'm going to Sydney" Joan retorted q suppose you've received information. by bush telegraph that that third assistant un- derstrapper and ex -sailorman at Tulag1 is going to deport me as an undesirable immigrant"
 "Oh. no. nothing of the sort, assure you" Sheldon began with awkward haste. fearful of having offended. though he knew not how. q was just wondering. that was all. You see. with the loss of the schooner and-and all 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 a show of heat. What have done now?"
 Certainly not the unexpected" she said equietly. Merely ignored me in your ordinary. everyday, man god. su- perior fashion Naturally it counted for nothing. my telling you that I had no idea of going to sydney. Go to Sydney 1 must. because you. in your superior wisdom. have so decreed."
 She paused and looked at him curi- Ously, as though he were some strange breed of animal.
 "Of course l am grateful for your offer of assistance; but even that is no salve to wounded pride For that matter. 1t 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 is not going to Sydney, thank you.'
 But what do you intend to do?"
 "Find some spot where shall escape the indignity of being patron. ized and bossed by the superior sex"
 Come now. that is putting it bit too strongly" Sheldon laughed, but the strain in his voice destroyed the effect of spontaneity. You know yourself how impossible the situation is"
 'I know nothing of the sort, sir. And if 1t Is impossible. well. haven't I achieved it?"
 But it cannot continue. Really'-
 "Oh. yes. 1t can. Having achieved it, can go on achieving it. intend to remain in the Solomons. but not on Berande. Tomorrow I am going to take the whaleboat over to Parf- Sulay. I was talking with Captain Young about it. He says there are at least four hundred acres. and every foot of it good for planting. First. I'll buy the island; next, get forty or fifty recruits and start clearing and planting; and at the same time I'll run up a bungalow; and then you'll be relieved of my embarrassing pres ence-now don't say that 1t isn't"
 "It 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 it and con slider me at your service concerning this--this project of yours. Suppose the government sells you Pari-Sulay at q pound an acre. clearing will cost you at least f4 more-that is, 6 for 400 acres. or. say, $10,0O0 Have you that much?"
 "No; haven't quite $S,000."
 T nen heres another way of looking at it: You'll need. as you said. at least fifty boys Not counting premiums, their wages are $50 year"
 T pay my Tahitians $15 q month. " she interpolated
 They won't do on straight plantation work. But to return. The wages of fifty boys each year will come to f300 that is. S1 .500 Very well It will be seven years before your trees begin to bear Seven times S1,5o0 is $10.500- more than you possess. and all eaten up by the boys wages, with nothing to pay for bungalow, building. tools quinine. trips to sydney and so forth Sheldon shook his head gravely ''You'll have to abandon the idea" But 1 won't go to sydney" she cried. 'l simply won't I'll buy ir to the extent of my money as smal partner in some other plantation. Lei me buy it iD Berande?"
 Heaven forbidr' he cried in such genuine dismay that she broke into hearty laughter.
 There, won't tease you. Really ! you know. Pm not accustomed tc forcing my presence where it is mol desired. Yet as you said yourself. il was impossible for me to go away. SC had to stay. You wouldn't let me | go to Tulagi- You compelled me to force myself upon you But l won't 1 buy in as partner with any one. I'll buy Pari-Sulay. but I'll put only ter boys on t and clear slowly. Also