The Washington times., 1921-03-20
(cont'd from, Last Sasdsy)
CHAPTER VIII (ceatin'd.) J

Harry England. For q moment /
felt relieved; they seemed to BE-
simply taking.
Lorraine checked me. We crept
nearer. They did not notice us.
=. !. believe II or not. It's
true," Luke was saying l could
see his face. though could not see
the other. He looked . noble
youth; . true and honorable man.
Young ~ he was, his hands were
strong enough to carry the burden
OF q loved woman's life.
England said something, ! DO not
know what. The low bass purr Of
his voice carried less certainly than
Luke's clearer tone.
III you've any decent feeling you
VIII let her Alone" spoke Luke
again. Il want your word on that
before / sail tonight"
A brief. scornful question fell
from Dngland's lips.
The right OF her husband" was
Luke's answer.
England's reply this time heard
In part. but It was couched In
words that did not understand.
And Luke. without an instant's
hesitation. struck him ed : tho
mouth. A saw his 1.-THE young
body swing out In q line with his
arm screamed.
1t was that, I think. that saved
his life. More men than ono
among the islands had been sent
to their long sleep beneath the
palms by one Of Ehgland's terrible
counters. But-why should I not
say it?-Harry England loved me,
In his own wild way; and the
sound Of my voice crying out de.
layed his hand for the fraction OF q
second that was necessary to save
1t from yet another stain. In that
brief moment Lorraine, with Wild
cat spring. had flung herself BE-
tween the pair. Either Of the men
could have snapped her white slim
arm like . hower-stalk; but she
held them as securely as II she had
been q giantess.
"Have either of you thought"
she painted, what q scandal you
are making? Do you know Hawon-
ga? Not one Of the three Of you
will have . rag of character lett
tomorrow. suppose you msh can
do without It, but what about my
niece.'
The two had fallen apart. There
was blood on England's mouth; no
did not wipe It, but let It fall In .
trickling stream over hia khaki
coat. On his hard, teak-like face,
now fully visible under the moon,
there was not sign OF expression.
Even those dark, ordinarily ruth
less-looking eyes were empty -
bits of glass. I do not know why,
but Il frightened me. He seemed
like something not quite human.
Luke looked frankly furious, now
that his guard Of self-command was
fairly beaten down. never saw
him handsomer-he was TO my ex-
cited fancy of tho moment like Q
young st.. George conquering the
dragon. .y
"Oh. anybody ought to love youl"
I thought In my own mind. But at
the face Of the dragon I did not
dare. after the first glance, to look
at all. I did not dare to think
about It.
'1f You suppose it's going to stop
there" said Luke. breathing hard.
Il don't" said Harry England.
His voice seemed to have gone
down q note or two deeper since I
last heard It: It made one think Of
the sound Of distant but advancing
thunder.
Into the nomentary silence that
fell-all three of us standing still
and looking at one another
a curious, kissing sound. Il thought
It was a snake at frst and started
back. Then. being island bred, I
recognized II for the noise that ID
sometimes made by the turtle when
excited or alarmed. and immediate
ly knew whose were the feet that,
almost soundless, had followed Us
down the mango avenue. ..
Lorraine knew, too. Without
turning round she said to me:
"The Queen"
fancy Queen Lalua had been IN
hiding. Despite her age and fat
ness she possessed the native tai
ent for concealing herself, like an
animal, In almost any cover. But
she came forward with perfect dig.
nifty, carrying her turtle (the IN
sigma of royalty in the HAwonga
Islands) under one arm and trail.
ing her orange satin robes ON the
gravel as she walked. Behind her.
like q shadow, silent and unobtru-
sive, crept the half-caste maid Of
honor, Maiera.
what Is dis?" said talua, speak
ing in good English. and with the
air of majesty that not even two
depositions had removed from her
any more than they had removed
her influence and authority IN the
islands. England, why you fight
Ing xif, dia Ynun1 riki fchie{l 90