The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-02-23


have a guardian. nor did I sail all the
way TO the Solomons to end one"
"a gentleman is every w0man's
guardian"
"Well. I'm not every woman-that's
all. WIN you kindly allow me to send
your boy FOR Noa Noah? | wish him
to launch the whalebOat. Or shall so
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 statue-a plumb
black statae- taking no interest In the
transactions Of these incomprehensible
whites.
but you WON'T do anything SO fool
ish"- be began.
'There you 20 again. she cried.
81 didn't mean It that way. and you
know didn't" He was speaking slow
~ and gTayely. 'And that other thing.
that not permitting lit is only man.
ner of speaking. OF course am not
your guardian. You know you can so
to Guvutu Il you want fo"-or to the
devil. be was almost tempted TO add.
''Oniy. should deeply regret 1t. that Is
all. And am very sorry that should
have said anything that hurt you. Re-
member. am an Engiishman."
Joan smiled and sat down again.
perhaps / have been hasty." she
admitted. "You see. am intoIerant OF
restraint. II you only knew how have
been compelled to 6ght for my free
dom. 1t is sore point with me, this
being told what | am to do or not to
do by you self constituted lords of
creation. viaburi! You stop along
kitchen. No bring IN Noa Noah. And
now, Mr.. Sheldon. what am 1 20 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 a godsend to me. was
very lonely and very sick. | really am
not certain whether or not / should
have pulled through had you not hap
pened along. But that IS not the point.
Personally. purely seitishiy personally.
should be sorry TO see you go. But l
am not considering myself. | am con-
sidering you. lit is hardly the proper
thing. you know. II were married
If there were some woman OF your own
race here-but as 1t isl
She threw up her hands in mock de-
SPAR.
Il cannot follow you" she said. 'Tn
one breath you tell me must so. and
in the next breath you tell me there is
no place to go and that you will not
permit me to so. What is a poor girl
to dos"
"Thats the trouble" he said help
lessIy.
"And the situation annoys you"
"Oniy for your sake"
'Then let me save your feelings by
telling you that 1t does not annoy me
at aIl-except for the row you are
making about it. ] never allow what
can't be changed to annoy me.
can't so elsewhere. By your own
count You certainly can't go else
where and leave me here alone with a
whole plantation and 200 wOoIly can
nibalS on my hands. Therefore. you
stay. and l stay. It IS very simple.
Also. 1t is adventure And further
more. you needn't worry for yourself
am not matrimonialiy inclined.
came to the Soiomons for a planta-
ton. not a hSband."
Sheldon flushed. but remained silent.
81 know what you are thinking"
she laughed gayly. THAT If were q
man. you'd wiring my neck for me.
And deserve 1t. too. I'm SO sorry.
ought not to keep on hurting your
feelings"
I'm afraid rather invite IT," he
said. relieved by tbs signs Of the
tempest subSiding.
81 have It" she announced. Lend
me a gang Of your boys for today.
I'll build q 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. III run the kitchen end of
your household and give you some
decent food to eat. And finally, /