The Washington times., 1921-02-20

MIN. 'Out OF the mouths OF peOos
and sucklings.' Who knows but
the Lord may have given him q
warningf"
There's one thing more" said
father. feeling In his pocket. and !
saw him turn very pale. He
brought out something small and
shining and handed II 10 Luke
slowly, as IL he were 10th TO part
with II. Keep that till Its wanted.
my boy" he said. land may IL bring
you more
He broke on and turned his head
toward the shadows that lurked,
even In the broad daylight. about
the corners OF the hall.
"Show me-" cried, as Luke was
without a word and | saw that II
was a ring. a small but heavy gold
band, like the one that Dinah wore.
II don't want that" I said. you
can keep H."
Il mean to-" said Luke. There
was something In his tone that I'm
pressed me. though could not I'M
derstand II. But have known,
,ong since. that In that moment
Luke took up. boy that he was, the
burden and the charge OF my life.
And thenceforward = know, ]
know!-he never laid II down.
The feeling OF tension that filled
the air, and had begun to depress
most OF US. was broken in upon by
Dinah.
"If anyone feels like they can be
eating OF something" she said In
voice thick with tears, there's hot
coffee and wedding cake In the
kitchen. ready to come on. And
sangwidges."
Lorraine. always watching my
father. poured out q cup OF strong
coffee as soon as the tray came In,
and gave II to him A little color
came into his face after he had
drunk II. He lay back on his cush-
ions silently looking at me. Busy,
happy and more excited than ] had
been at any. time that day. ! was
hacking at the cake with a large
knife and. proudly distributing
wedges.
There had been talk at first. but
shortly II died down and left a
silence In its place. heavy ST.
lence, brooding like cloud. II
seemed as II everyone were walt
ing for something to happen.
Father. always courteously man
nered. was beginning to fill the
awkward gap by some kind OF
speech, | know not what, when
long, low call, mounting to moan.
ing wall. broke in upon his words.
"The Queen Of the Islands," cried
Luke, and instantly IAN to old
Ivory's room.
England is In a hurry said
father.
81 understand he always Is. Don't
get up. Arthur. II he comes he
won't expect-there's somebody"
Lorraine's quick ears caught the
sound of an alien footstep crunch
ing the coral gravel. followed her
out. II was not England. A sailor.
a sturdy island man, lightly beard
ed. stood in the doorway.
"Te Ariki (the chief say. give
this bottle, tell them fair wind
come, he wait twenty minute, then
up SAIL" said the man.
Lorraine took the bottle. It was
a fresh supply of medicine for my
father, and wrapped round 1t was
a typed paper from the doctor at
Hawonga, giving minute directions
for his treatment. My aunt read
it quickly through and pocketed It.
HE is kind" she said, somewhat
grudgingly.
Il think he Is very, very kind to
remember all that for father" told
her. isn't he coming to see us,
Lorraine?
Evidently not Run quickly,
Dara, and tell Luke he must be
! ready to go at once. There's no
trifling with a fair wind at this
time of year."
Like alf island jewellers, we were
we'll versed In questions OF weather.
knew as well as Lorraine that no
captain could be expected to throw
away a slant" from the northwest
toward June.