, 1913-07-03

him. Brown slippers peeped out as
she crossed the compound. and ne
once caught a glimpse to b ankle OF
brown openwork stockings. Some
how she had been made many times
he woman by these mere extraneous
tr%appings.
1--WE opened up a new field" she
said as she began pouring the coffee.
"Old Kina-Kina will nev forget me,
I'm sure, and l can recruit there when
ever 1 want. saw Morgan at Guvutu.
He's willing tt contract for a thousand
boys at 40 shillings per head. Did l
tell you that I'd taken out a recruiting
license for the Martha? l did. and the
Martha can sign eighty boys every
trip"
Sheldon smiled a trffe 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, Tive
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
out to sea. old Kinross, brought over
from Savo. in command.
my, but she is a witchl Look at
her eating up the water, and there's no
wind to speak of. Honestly, II I'd
dreamed of the chance waiting for me
at Guvutu when l bought her for less
thar $500 I'd never a gone partners
with you. And in that case I'd be sail
ing her right now"
The Justice of her contention came
abruptly home to Sheldon.
"You max me feel like a big man
who has robbed a small child of a lol-
w." he said. with sudden contrition.
And the small child is crying for 1t"
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. This
is the last sob. But some day I'm 60
ing to sail the Martha again. know
It. / know It"
In reply. and quite without premedi-
tation, his hand went out to hers.
covering 1t as It lay on the railing.
I, But he Knew beyond the shadow of a
doubt hat 1t 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 Malaita If you
want to-"
1t was q great concession he was
making, and he felt that he did it
against his better judgment. Her re-
ception of 1t was a surprise to him..
with old Kinross in commando
she queried. mo, thank you He'd
drive me to suicide. l couldn't stand
his handling of her. I'll never step
OF the Martha again unless 1t is to
take charge of her. I'm a sailor. like
my father, and he could new bear
to see a 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.
Its the fever" she said. 'Tn 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 ft?' she said. with
chattering teeth. Like seasickness-
not serious. but horribly miserable
while it lasts. I'm going to bed. Send
Noa Noah and viaburi to me. Tell
Ornfiri to make hot water. III be out
Of my head in fifteen minutes. But
I'll be all right by evening. Short and
sharp is the way it takes me-"
Sheldon obeyed her instructions.
rushed hot water bottles along to her
and then sat on the veranda glancing
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
q woman.
He clapped his hands and Lalaperu
came running.
Here, you." he ordered; go along
barracks, bring m black fella Mary.
plenty too much, altogether"
A few minutes later the dozen black
women Of Berande were ranged before
him. He looked them over critically,
finally selecting one that was young,
comely as such creatures went, and
whose body bore no signs Of skin dis
ease.
"What name. you" he demanded.
"S%angui?"
"Me Mahua," was the answer
"AI right, you fella Mahua. You
finish cook along boys. You stop along
white Mary. All the time you stop
along. You sawyer"