The Mena weekly star., 1912-01-11
T wish I were wsnsn 50 as to

tell you how prop0otefousiy insane anu impossible it is," he biurted out.
 Better than that. you are a man, So there is nothing to prevent your telling me, for 1 demand to be con sidered as man. didn't come down here to trail my woman's skirts over the Solomons. Please forget that I am accidentally anything else than a man with mans living to make. ?
 "I have told you" be began stiffiy, that recruiting on Malaita is impos- sible for a woman and that is all care to say--or dare.
 And I tell you. in turn. that it is nothing of the sort. l am a naviga. tor, and that is more than your Solo mons captains are. And am a sea mana better seaman than you. when 1t comes right down to it and you know it. l can shoot l am not a fool. can take care of myself"
 Sheldon made a hopeless gesture.
 That's right" she rattled on, Wash your hands of me. But as Von used to say, You just watch my smokeH | sup pose you've been accustomed to Jane Eyres all your life. That's why you don't understand me. Come on. Satan let's leave him to his old music.'
 He watched her morosely and with out intention of speaking, till he saw her take a rife from the stand, exam inc the magazine and start for the door.
 "where are you going?" he asked peremptorily.
 AS between man and woman" she answered, it would be too terribly-or indecent for you to tell me why shouldn't go alligatoring. Good night. Sleep we'll"
 He shut off the phonograph with a snap. started toward the door after her. then abruptly flung himself into a chair
 You're hoping gator catches me, aren't you?" she called from the veran- da, and as she went down the steps her rippling laughter drifted tantaIiz- ingly back through the wide doorway.
 The next day Sheldon was left all alone Joan had gone exploring pari- Sulay and was not to be expected back until the late afternoon. The loss of the Jessie had hit Berande severely Not alone was his capital depleted by the amount of her value. but her earn ings were no longer to be reckoned on. and it was her earnings that largely paid the running expenses of the plan tation.
 Poor old Hughie," he muttered aloud once. I'm glad you didn't live to see it, old man. What cropper, what cropper."
 Between squalls the Fiibberty Gibbet ran into anchorage. and her skipper, Pete Oieson brother to the Oleson of the Jessie), ancient, grizzled, wild eyed, emaciated by fever, dragged his weary frame up the veranda steps and collapsed in a steamer chair. Whiskey and soda kept him going while he made report and turned in his accounts
 You're rotten with fever" Sheldon said. "why don't you run down to Sydney for blow of decent climateY'
 The old skipper shook his head
 'I can't. I've been in the islands too long. I'd die. The fever comes out worse down there"
 "KilI or cure" Sheldon counselled.
 Its straight kill for me. tried it three years ago. The cool weather put me on my back before I landed They carried me ashore and into hos pital- I was unconscious one stretch for two weeks. After that the doctors sent me back to the islands-said il was the only thing that would save me. Well, Pm still alive. But I'm too soaked with fever. A month in Australia would finish me"
 He declined to sleep ashore. took his orders, and went back on board the cutter. A lurid sunset was plotted. out by the heaviest squall of the day, and Sheldon watched the whaleboat arrive in the thick of it. As the spritsail was taken in and the boat headed on to the beach. he was aware of distinct hurt at sight of Joan at the steering oar, standing erect and swaying her strength to it as she resisted the pres sures that tended to throw the craft broadside in the surf. Her Tahitians leaped out and rushed the boat high up the beach. and she~ led her bizarre following through the gate of the com pound.
 Lovely, perfectly lovely-Pari- Sulay." she panted. q shall buy it. I'll write to the commissioner tonight. And the site for the bungalow-I've selected it already-is wonderful. You must come over some day and advise me. You won't mind my staying hera until I can get settled? Wasn't that squall beautiful! And I suppose Pm late for dinner. I'll run and get clean and be with you in minute"
 Do you know. I'm never going to | squa iufi,i5 with you again. ho aIi-