Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1933-11-23
V--Continued

@You've already antagonized .em.
Certainly you don't imagine that
they've taken kindly to this little
monarchy you've set up. They'll rise
against you, against your friends. too,
the first chance they get II Sando-
mar uses his head-and ron know he
has a good one-he can lead them In
a revolt that will sweep us all into
the sea. The only sensible thing now
is to 60 the whole hog. rule 'em with
an iron hand. regard the island not
as their property but ours. and make
1t SO tough for them that they'll glad
Iy break their taboo to help Us find
our way back to civilization
Roy vent on. Wen let that go
for now. But there's another matter
we won't let go. / refer to what you
told Sandomar the first night ON the
island"
Eric turned gravely. THAT / want
ed one Of the girls7H
.Yes. I thought at first You must
refer TO Marie, or that possibly 1t was
Just part OF your bluff. Since then I've
noticed your attitude toward Nan. and
i heard your voice. though / couldn't
hear what you said. when you ac-
costed her this morning. I've been
forced TO the conclusion that you
meant Nan. and meant 1t seriously"
Eric's eyes turned gray. Il did
mean Nan. And I did mean IT seri-
ousIy.-
ssThen I'm obliged to tell you-lay
off That's simple and plain. Isn't
it7 TIL tolerate your selling the reins
here. but I won't stand to see you
paying court to my prospective wife,
Eric's anger had been rising like
the tide before a gale. but suddenly It
ran out and left him struggling with
a smile. isn't she the one to decide
about thisg"
Unfortunately. not As dictator
here. You feel that you have the right
10 protect the Alents against an In
vader's ruthlessness. AS Mans friend,
/ have to protect her against her own
folly. I concede that you are a gen
tleman; still In any normal state OF
affairs you wouldn't have a dogs
chance with Nan. You could give
her nothing. she would have to give
you everything. You could never fit
into her life, or she In yours. But out
here, when every old standard is
wiped away, she is likely to lose her
head You may make a primitive ap-
peal to her, | a understand that very
well. and sweep her oil her feet. then
there'd be another shipwreck when
we get back to civilization. i mean
to protect her against that-and pro
tect you, too"
Eric's smile was now open and
broad. You needn't worry about me-"
"Does that mean you'll confine your
energies to running the islAnd7~
at means + can look out for myself.
Moreover, ! think Nan can, too"
Eric's smile faded, and he faced Roy
straight. Anyway. my attentions to-
Nan are nobody's business but hers
and mine, and II I can possibly get
her, I'm going to do It,"
Roy did not answer for a long time.
At last his lips curled- Il see that
your idealism is only for outside con-
sumption; the welfare OF -FOUR ship
mates doesn't cut much Ice when your
own desires are involved True, /
respect you for that-it's fact. not
action-but In secret you can remem-
Der that I'm your enemy"
Eric was ringed about with enc
mics. On all the island. he had only
"A staunch and unfailing ally
Mother Horton Felix Horton leaned
on him against his will Wilcox
looked to Roy as his chief, and would
take his side In any break with Eric,
Marie adored her mistress, blew hot
and cold with her. and Nan herself
was half-pal. half-foe. Sandomar and
his men secretly plotted his death.
Where did the Aleuts stand7 With
out their friendship, Eric could not
win But they, too, resented his law.
Eric could control the natives only
70 far as he could sway their priestess,
and he could as well stake his life
On tomorrow's weather. Ffreheart
was her rightful name-she was NJ
one OF the elements-nnd she obeyed
her own law.
When he passed by the shrine On
- fourth s~eninG. she called him In