The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-05-12


because like all the islanders she
was extremely religious. but she
was Impressed by his references Go
tho raft.
II did not look beautiful or even
useful. but who was sho TO auea
ton his opinionf Beyond doubt,
that weird collection Of planks held
a Significance which only time and
much thought would disclose TO her.
II must be saved
But why don't YOU swim and
push u TO the shoreg"
by Jove- never thought Of that.
what brain you've got. Mary. /
was Just thinking that I'd have 60
desert tho baily thing. after all tho
trouble I've had getting u here"
She laughed with delight. slipped
overheard and. swimming strongly.
began to push the raft slowly
shoreward, and the man. without
removing his fragments Of clothing
but first settling the monoclo firm
~ In It's place. followed her.
so for about half an hour they
propelled the cumbersome craft 60.
gethcr. until Il ground against tho
rocks. But tho last effort had 30
weakened the poet that he could
not climb the cliffs without the
girls assistance. so he waited until
she slipped into her smoek. and
made tho raft fast with tho few
feet OF rope remaining. Then sho
helped him up the cilff and made
him comfortable. pulled few or.
anEeS from the heavily laden trees.
and fed hlm--her Joyous presence
wing with tho scents and thu sun.
shine To pour strength into him.
but man needs stouier food than
oranges even though they bo daint-
tiy fed him by loving fingers: and
while this drifting piece ~ human
flctsam was poet he could yet
crave certain stew which Mary
eontriv~d most cxauisiteiy stew
tho main ingredient OF which was
Pitcairn goat-and this solid fact
Ia shortly announced.
whsrcupon they began 20 walk
along the tran hand In hand. toward
the anything bu, pala,iai shack the
girl had inhcrited--a truly ancss.
trial home. the first posts OF which
had been sunk by the tarry fingers
OF the original Mccoy. one time
mutineer OF the Inflated Bounty.
Far below them the sea sparkied
Tx. a Hun.ciad army. and the poets
mind harked back TO the founding
OF thl. isolated colony. now so loyal
lie visionsd tho illtterats sailors q
the old British man-of.war, guard.
cdiy debating night after night with
crude manner Of words upon the
fate Of tho officers who had not
treated them according 10 their
liking and who would not allow
them Go desert the ship 20 settle
down upon some jewci.iiks island
In poiygamous bliss.
For OF such was tho Bounty
mutiny. What a heaven Polynesia
must have seemed 20 those iii.fared
seanen. half OF them pressed AMI
tho other half with excelisnt rca.
sons for not wanting 20 return 70
Ensiand' Small wonder they tcok
thu matter into their own hands,
but what a sorry mess they made
OF II. And--hero was Mary No
Coy. bronze Of skin and Irish OF
eye and hair. smiling love AZ him
How the ceassless mill Of inflnity
does grind out events,
A cry startled them. ana hur.
riedly turning n corner they came
upon III. snake Of their Eden. The
island nlEsionary-~ona OF thos~ un.
sanctified things who periodically
visited Pitcairn ai that time 10 IN.
terfere with tho beliefs OF the most
Christian community imaginable,
but who fled the place when II was
stricken BY an rpldemso-was abu-
ing an old Kanaka women about
some lack Of duty concerning the
supply OF vegetables
He was a tall man. and m. poor
old cruns Rroveiing at his feet. and
crinsinx from tho stick In his
hand. looked like tiny. witherci
monkey uttering unintelligibis cries
for mercy.
THAT beast. Always hitting some
body. Some day he viii be killed
Beats his wife. too. But I slapped
his face when he tried 10 kiss me.
snapped Mary. tho Irish Ia her
spelling for a fight.
The poet d~tested rows. and gen.
orally avoided fighting because ~
disturbed the serenity Of his iazincssl
and threatened tho safety of his|
rponocls. but here was a case de-
handing action. Besides. the Eel.
low had tried to kiss Mary.
But 4, was n very short affair.
The preacher tried 70 defend him.
self with his stick. but the poet was
rather good boxer. flobbling
away. tho old woman turned 60 on.
Joy tho discontinue OF her tor
mentor. and while that discontinue
was complete. u lasted hardly long
enough to satisfy. The missionary.
splitting blood and teeth. looked up
at the poet. snsrling;
"All right. you tramp. III get
even, and you1l he sorry for this.
Yes, you1i be sorry"
WHY" drawied the poet. his
cultured voice contrasting 80 oddly