Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-12-01
I, and a drift of white beard.

OF piercing blue eyes.
"Come here, where l can look a
you," said the man on the bed. Then
well, you're Johnson, all right AM
bid him farewell at Pawaianne.
willie, your father would a. beer
here II he was livin'," the old mai
continued. There are debts that n,
man forgets. I've come for to seel
you on his account. I've got here non,
too soon."
I'm sorry you're SICK" said Johnson
Your father died when you was lit
tle," the patriarch went on: ''other
wise you'd know all about me. In
Robert n. King. and king I've been
too, these fifty years. But. oh, they'rt
an ungrateful lot! They're an un
grateful lot!
II ruled 'em fair, and l ruled 'en
square. l lost my right hand, though
when your father went. He'd a. put
down this revolution. Do you hear.
They started revolution"
johnson said that he heard.
There's Malay out there named
Possa Sing. He's at the head Of this
here revolution. He started 1t because
I wouldn't let him have my gal. But
I had other plans. l was thinkin' OF
Red Bill Johnson-a full measure Of 9
man be was-and how he used to boast
about that little boy Of his'n back in
New York.
1T was the last thing that he said
when bid him farewell at Pawalanne
BE q father to little Willie And
by Christopher, III do 1t yet, In spite
Of that black Malay Possa Sing!
HE got too strong for me-I'm not
the man used to be-but he amt too
strong for Red Bill Johnson's boy. I
found your address in New York d.
rectory. l got one from Batavia. and
$40 in gold 1t cost me too. And rent,
ed this house for to die In.
II could trust the agents for that, but
for the rest couldn't trust them.
had to see you. I've piled up pearls
and power for you. Willie. And that
amt ALL" He paused.
"Minnie," he painted hoarsely.
johnson turned and half rose impul-
sively from his chair. The door had
opened. Standing there, graceful. slim.
shrinking. was the girl Of the unspoken
message.
did my father call?" she asked
sweetly. with lisping accent
AYE, stand there, Minnie. Do you
blame me for refusing to give her to d
Malay?
Half breed, but I've raised her like
q white mans gal. Them peOple'd die
for her. | crowned her queen before
we left Thatll settle Possa Sing. He
was crazy for her. more than the rest
but him that gets her gets all. And
she's a white mans gal" The old man
paused. When he spoke again his
great whisper was strangely smaller.
$50 brought her with me-" he said.
'for Red Bill Johnson's boy. There's
q schooner at Macassar. Sail SOU by
west for Pantar strait
Those were the last words that Rob-
ert King, or King Robert, ever spoke.
When Johnson emerged sufficiently
out of his confusion to focus his eyes
on the patriarch he noticed that the
latter was staring strangely In the d.
rection Of the door.
Involuntarily Johnson wheeled and
saw standing there a dark youth.
whose face was stamped with an ex-
preston Of fierce and joyful ecstasy.
The girl had also turned, and there
sprang to her lips sob that was trans
formed into q name. 1t was "Possa
Singr'
In his extremity Johnson turned to
the girl.
"What did he meanT he whispered.
II am to be your BRIDE" she falter-
ed. "He made me promise. l started
to see you this evening-to ask you not
to come" She was shaken In a sudden
burst Of weeping, and her accent got
the better Of her. "But, ah. saire. even
now, not yet. you have promised him
nothing"
There are moments Of exquisite con-
sciousness in the lives Of all Of Us when
we recognize clearly the parting OF the
ways. Such moment Johnson expe-
rienced now. On one side he saw the
fat routine Of his civilized mediocrity-
dull work. advancing years. unlovely
poverty. and then-king OF tropic Isle.
romance, pearls and power"
He wavered. he heaved a mighty
sigh, and then. recovering his hat from
the floor where he had placed 1t beside
his chair. and, looking neither to the
right nor left nor unlocking his set
Jaws for speech. he strode out of the
room.
The fat was dark and silent when
Johnson got home.
It smelled somewhat Of cold cooking.
and his wife. waking from her sleep.
called out for him not to forget that In
the morning he had to 60 to work.