Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-04-30
Whom Did She Love Best?

at is easy to discover which man the
woman loves best" The king OF the
Scarabee islands shifted his gaze from
the blue sea shining above the broad coral
reef. and sneeringly regarded his latest
favorite. bring outthe prisoners. -Four
you said p
"Four were shipwrecked, oh. king-the
woman, child and two men,"
"And the child is hers, but she will moi
tell which man is her husband?"
"She will not tell" "
The king yawned. Not much enter
tainment for white man TO be captured
by these savages and forced TO be their
chief! Twice he had attempted to es-
cape and twice been ANONYMOUSLY re-
taken. According to their lawS-their
stupid, Interchangeable laws-the third at
tempt meant death.
Heglanced down the long rows of bam-
boo trees whence his half-naked negroes
led forward the group OF white prisoners.
A woman, young and beautiful, held
fast the hand of blue-eyed boy.
A tall, fair man followed between two
stalwart blacks.
Then another guard and another man,
slight of build, dark Of countenance.
The king beckoned TO the woman, say
ing:
"I'm sorry for all OF you-but-do you
know their law ?"
The woman strained hopefully forward.
"You are not"
"One OF them? No-but am their
prisoner as muchaS you are. Shipwreck-
ed-saved because | practised little
easy magic to fool theml Pm still cloth
ed in purple and fine linen, you see. "
The king of the Sc ,rabee islands spread
out his skirt OF woven grasses.
"Can you not save US ?" she implored
wildly.
The king shoo< his head. 1.-TWO OF
you. They do not kill women-unless
by request. This is their ancient law.
You may live, and the one you love best
also may live. will put you both on the
first ship that passes this most deteStable
spot"
The woman knelt and clasped the boy.
Over his head her eyes strained despair
iugly toward the two men who stood
calmly regarding her.
For an instant the eyes of the taller left
hers and fingered upon The boys yellow
curlS.
Two natives with knotted clubs STEP
ped forward. The king rose. His gaze
swept the multitude of dark faces.
He hesitated -no-his interference
would but change those stolid counte-
nances to fury.
"She chooses the boy" he said.
The blacks seized the tall, fair prisoner.
"No" the woman shrieked. "No-
not him! You have another law-the
kings counselor told me-you dare not
refuse a life for life choose the
child, but claim the right to die in place
OF this man." She stretched out her
hand toward the captive whose hair was
golden as the boys. "No no Do not
listen TO him. Guard the prisoner You
who are chief here-you dare not refuse.
1t is your law-Your Interchangeable law !"
The woman whispered in The boys
ear, and thrust his hand into the hand
of the tall, fair man, who struggled vainly
with his captors in desperate protest.
Take them awaYI Take them away!"
the king commanded. "This man and
boy are free !"
The woman smiled and turned her face
toward the other prisoner - slight OF
build, dark OF countenance.
The executonerS bound them together
81 die" she murmured low, with
you"
At even, the king of the Scarabee is
lands listened moodily TO the swish ofthe
bamboo trees.
(Which man did the woman love best,
oh. king 2"
The king of the Scarabee islands ST.
lently regarded his latest favorite in the
glow of the moon.