Hyder weekly herald., 1932-01-09
George and the South Seas
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD

nings and his office hours were ire Quently punctuated by telephone calls arranging to met him for lunch or downtown after work on this errand and that And because George really loved her and knew in advance what capable, thrifty little wife she was some day going to be to him, he never thought of protesting that her apron strings were a bit tirlng.
 Never, that is, until that memorable night when they read aloud to one another fascinating story of the ever alluring South seas.
 When George had kissed Sarah good night three times. he turned slowly homewards. Thoughtfully. too. For the first time it struck him that there were distant lands to be seen, distant seas to be voyaged, distant peoples to be met-that Is, by those who were free and had the price.
 He neither was free to go. nor had the money, as far as that went. Both he and Sarah. who gave music lessons in between being engaged to him, were saving every possible cent towards a nest egg on which to marry.
 When George reached his room, he found slipped under his door a white envelope addressed to himself in hand writing only faintly familiar. Curious ly, he opened 1t. and read the letter that was enclosed.
 My dear nephew"-so read the letter
 I'm not dead yet nor thinking Of dying. But I'm playing the dead aunt to my heirs. That is. I'm giving away now what you'd probably get later, each one of you. Please spend 1t to gratify some secret wish"
 Attached to the inner sheet by a wire clip was folded check for $2OOO.
 It is significant that George did not at once telephone the good news. In way, it made their marriage an im- mediate possibility and surely one would expect that any engaged young mans secret desire would lie in that direction.
 On the contrary, several days went by and still George said nothing to Sarah of the wlndfau. If he ap- peared distrait the very next time he saw her, she gave no outward sign of noticing the fact.
 To tell the truth. George was an enigma to himself. Here for months he had been longing to marry Sarah
 oP yarn dealing largely with beating surf and honey-colored moons and dusky maldens, he was yearning to take a little trip all by himself and postpone settling down for year or two. His unexpected legacy seemed to render legitimate this desire, yet how could he explain to Sarah?
 The obvious thing to do would be to get married and then, if he must blow the money in such way, make the journey in Sarah's company. He loved Sarah, he was insanely jealous if Sarah looked sidewise at anyone else, and yet-how he wanted this last mad fling of irresponsible youth all by himself!
 Suddenly he made up his mind to get it over with. He opened his mouth, shut 1t, cleared his throat and was about to speak when Sarah, lay ing down her work, leaned forward and regarded him.
 George" she said solemnly, i've something to tell you. It's hard to say, but-well, I've changed my mind about getting married. feel-well, before I settle down, I'd like to go somewhere, do something, see some body"
 "See somebody" echoed George, feeling as If the bottom of things were falling out.
 "Yes," nodded Sarah, and into her eyes came faraway ecstatic expres- sion. Sometimes I dream. of distant lands where the off-shore surf beats on the coral reefs, where honey-colored moons rise out of velvet ocean, and strong, bronZed men in spotless suits. white helmets and Victoria crosses on their chests"
 Sarah" !" by this time George had 
 low his indignation, "Just how would you do all this?" he asked
 Well" said Sarah. i've nearly thousand dollars I was saving towards the house and"
 And you'd use that!"
 Perhaps when I come back" said Sarah gently, "I'll not mind marrying you. But first-oh, l want one last mad fling" Rising, she threw her slender arms towards the ceiling
 Then she found herself seized and her arms falling, fell on Georges shoulders.
 Sarah" he was saying sternly. Enough of this nonsense! I've just been left 5000 by an aunt who isn't dead yet and we are going to be mar red at once. Tell me you do love mel"