The Washington herald., 1915-10-17
and almost piteously across the ocean. could
see in her sea-blue eyes some deep and intense
desire. Devoe. curse him! saw it too.

see III ncI Sed-Olue eyes some Occp anu HitciiSe
desire. Devoe. curse him! saw it too.
What is it?" we asked. in unison.
"Cocoanut-puddng." said Chloe. pathetically.
I've wanted some-oh. so badly. for two
days. It's got beyond a wish; it's an obses-
sion"
The cocoanut season is over." said Devoe.
in that voice of his that gave thrilling interest
to his most commonplace words. i hardly
think one could be found in Mojada. The ma
tives never use them except when they are
green and the milk-is fresh. They sell all the
ripe ones to the fruiterers.'
Wouldn't broiled lobster or Welsh rabbit
I do as well?" | remarked. with the engaging,
idiocy of pernicious-fever convalescent.
Chloe came as near to pouting as a sweet
disposition and perfect profile would allow
her to come. The Reverend Homer poked his
ermine-lined face through the doorway and add
ed concordance 70 the conversation
Sometimes said he. "old Campos keeps
the dried nuts in his little store on the hill But
it would be far better. my daughter. to restrain
unusual desires. and partake thankfully of the
daily dishes that the Lord has set before us.
Stuff" said l.
How was that?" asked the Reverend
Homer. sharply.
Il say it's tough" said |. to drop into the
vernacuIar, that Miss Greene should be de-
prived of the food she desires-a simple thing
like kalsomine- e-pudding Perhaps" continued.
solicitiously. some picked walnuts or a fric-
assoc of Hungarian butternuts would do as
WELL"
Every one looked at me with slight ex-
hibition of curiosity.
Louis Devoe arose and made his adieus
watched him until he had sauntered slowly and
grandiosely to the corner. around which he
turned to reach his great warehouse and store.
Chloe made her excuses. and went inside for a
few minutes to attend to some detail affecting
the ] o'clock dinner She was passed mistress
in housekeeping. had tasted her puddings and
bread with beatitude =
When all had gone. turned casually and
saw a basket made of plated green withes hang
ing by nail outside the door-iamb. With
rush that made my hot temples throb there
came wildly to my mind recolections of the
head-hunters-those grim. Ainty, relentless lit
tie men, never seen. but chilling the warmest
MONDAY by the subtle terror of their concealed
presence From time to time. as vanity or
ennui or love or jealousy or ambition may move
him, one creeps forth with his snckersnee and
takes up the silent trail. = + + Back he comes.
triumphant. bearing the severed. CORY head of
his victim. = = His particular brown or white
maid fingers, with Auttering bosom. casting soft
tigers eyes at the evidence of his love for her.
| stole softly from the house and returned
to my hut. From its supporting nails ip the
wall took machete as heavy as butchers
cleaver and sharper than safety razor. And
then | chuckled softly to myself. and set out to
the fastidiously appointed private office of
Monsieur Louis Devoe. usurper to the hand of
the Pearl of the Pacific.
He was never slow at thinking: he gave one
look at my face and another at the weapon in
my hand as | entered his door. and then he
seemed to fade from my sight ran to the
back door, kicked it open. and saw him running
like deer up the road toward the wood that
began two hundred yards away. was after
him. with shout: remember hearing chill
dren and women Screamins, and seeing them
hynAtrom the road.
He was feet. but was stronger. A mile.
and | had almost come up with him. He dou-
bled cunningy into small canyon. crashed
through this after him. and in five minutes had
him cornered in an angle of insumountable
cliffs. There his instinct of self-preservation
steadied him. as it will steady even animals at
bay. He turned to me. quite calm. with
ghastly smile.
"Oh, Raybum!" he said. with such an awful
effort at ease that was impoite enough to
laugh rudely in his face. oh. Rayburn!" said
he. come. let's have done with this nonsense.
Of course. know it's the fever and you're not
yourself; but collect yourself. man-give me
that ridiculous weapon. now. and let's go back
and talk it over.
twill go back. said |. carrying your head
with me. We will see how charmingly it can
Gecourse x,hen If lies IN the basket at her