The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1934-06-26

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mated languor with such teri
Cured.
They were beginning to like
There was a poignant
charm in their detachment
from a world overcharged with
vexations large and small. Not
only had they both been sick
and tired Of the futile lives
they had been leading but more
recently harassed at the state
OF their family and personal
affairs. Here on this island
nothing mattered, so far as the
outer world was concerned.
But this was not enough to
satisfy Jerome's natural can.
dor with himself. He knew
that he had been leaving out
the real reason for their con-
tent with conditions that would
be terrible to almost any other
young man and woman of their
class.
They were falling in love
with each other. Not in the
usual more or less conventional
way. Primitive impulses were
growing in them. The isola-
ton, return to absolute sim.
plicity, sharing Of danger that
was terrifying and bizarre.
Surmounting these dangers to-
gether had wrought a change
in them. The civilized rela-
tionship was being laid aside
and in its place was growing a
sympathy that ignored social
traditions. ..
Linda Changes
That, Jerome told himself,
was the danger here, and it
must not occur. Sooner or
later they must return to their
former social lives, unless vio-
lently interrupted. Barring
such violence, life here on the
island was simple and natural.
That Of civilization had become
like walking a slack wire-a
constant effort at equilibrium.
The shadows began to deepen.
Linda slept on. Jerome went to
the cook, house to prepare SUD-
per There was no lack Of
quantity and variety Of their
wholesome tropic fare and he
reflected that If this thing kept
on much longer they would put
on weight. Linda had COM
planned that she was doing so,
even worse she could not gauge
the RubeneSque process without
scales or clothes to warn her.
One thing was certain, she
was getting sweeter and love.
ier. The petulance had gone
from her face, and its look Of
hard intolerance. Her long grey
eyes, with their double fringe
Of lasheS that were much
darker than her hair, had lost
their scornful mockery. and a
nose that nature had tilted pro-
vocatively remained that way
without an added aggravating
slant. The boyish chin was
merely firm and not defiant,
and q mouth unshaped for
sneerS had discarded them to
become smiling and seductive.
AS he viSualized the improve
ment in these several traits and
turned his omelet he was horri-
fled to hear piercing scream.
He rushed out in time to see the
bowed and reckless back Of the
Racketeer bounding across the
cleared space under the trees.
making for the jungle. The
mtSchievois ape clutched in one
paw q fluttering. pennant of
white, and in the other q smaller
one Of pink.
It looked back with a derisive
chatter, and at the same mo-
ment Linda burst into Jerome's
field Of vision in hot pursuit.
She was armed with the stump
Of the broken oar, and all that
she had on was the one stock
Eng and her stylish shoes. But
she was too angry and too des-
perate to care anything about
that. A trail Of abuse Streamed
out behind her.
"You m Serable, sneaking
monkey; -" she cried. Drop
It'll.
"Cha-cha. .chikoo. yah. 80"
the Racketeer retorted.
Jerome grabbed up an empty
bottle and hurled it, although
the range was over long. Linda
let drive with the oar-butt. Both
missiles fell short Of the target.
The Racketeer gave his wild de-
TiSive yell and the jungle alb
Sorbed him.
The Last Straw
Linda whirled behind a low
bush. She ragged at Jerome over