Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-03-01
FORLORN ISLAND

iurihg. Her f0rm-fitting, red Dime,
gown revealed her girlish contours
and EXCHANGED the dull glow of her
cheeks. Her dusky hair. cut again in
a icng bob, was lustrous as seazotter
fur In the mellow light.
Horton and Roy were CAV over their
champagne glasses; Nan seemed unite
grave. Often her gaze swept the hall
btt still no glance passed between her
u ner lover-not one smile made his
cold heart leap. Had he won tbe
island war, only to lose the price
was the great adventure all In yainq
lie would soon know. He would tato
his answer tonight. win or lose. Whom
Nan rose from the table, he strobe
! forward and touched her hand.
She whirled with a low cry. but be-
fore she could speak, Horton pushed
between them.
What is 1t, Eric?" Horizons tone
was grave, but not %unfriendly.
I want to talk to Man,
You may. In a moment. I'd like to
taik 10 you first. Come to my state
room. Nan-you wait on the deck.
Presently they were seated In Hor-
TONS luxurious suite. the cool. CON
hdent millionaire and the grim. steady
eyed SHIPS officer. Horton offered him
a cigar. but Eric declined II. He had
moi come here to make truce.
i want to tell you. first of all. how
indebted we all feel toward you," Hor-
ton began quietly. You saved u
lives ON the standard I'll not forget
1t, and ! NEAR to stand behind YOU
now. | propose for you to captain
your own ship. Moreover, I'll always
want you for my friend.~
III the long pause, Eric's straight
gaze did not waver, but Horizons cheek
bones flushed.
NOW about Man," Horton went on.
I've reserved a stateroom for her. adj
Joining mine. 1t Is true that YOU and
she went through a certain
duress-but / can't regard IL
q legal marriage. and | feel sure
tnaf she doesn't, either. 1t was only
an Aleut rite. And she has never. II
sure of this, really become your
Did she ask you to say this to me?"
NO, not in words. / think. how
ever, | am carrying out her wishes.
ETC, ! want you to be reasonable
about this-forget that empty form In
ne mud church. as quickly as posi-
Die. It will be better for her-and for
to0.n
That's for Nan to say, not you"
Eric rose TO his full height. I'm 60
ng to talk to her.
Horton rose. too. Il advise against
{ Her answer will be the same-and
WILL be keenly embarrassing for both
y you. Later, when we arc all home
gain, you may come to see her and
ry to win her. Although / think It
'etter for a girl to marry In her own
immediate sphere, / would have no
OBJECTION to you as d son-in-law. But
must be brought about In the con
entional way
I'm going TO know, right now.
stand the embarrassment. and 80
she. Unless she herself says 9th
rwise-she Is my wife"
lie strobe out, to find Nan waiting
y the rail. On the boat deck, under
ne waning moon, they found / seclud-
corner. But at first his tense
lroat could not shape his question:
'e iong-drawn seconds fell and vast
] one BY me. AT last she touched
IS hand.
What did you want to say to me.
Il want to know whether we are
ing on together-or part. There
mt be any halfway. You must
axe up your mind now"
Did father speak about the cere-
ony on the island7"
Yes. He limited that you didn't
1t binding
That's true. | can't feel that Tn
ur wife. Ii was only q savage rite.
d think we may as well consider If
nuiled."
ne moonlight died In Eric's y
all need to know He turned
though to 90. !.
5ut her hand fell lightly on his arm. :
nt Eric-you might like to know
1 I'm going to be really married
light, BY the captain OF the shin.
vided the man / want will take
And think he will"
He'll take you-but he'll never love
as love you" Eric spoke In the
slow way she knew OF old. in
row, not In bitterness. II don't
you, Nan. You warned me all
time. | suppose 1t was inevitable
you'd decide or Roy, as soon as
got back to your own world.
he girl smiled dlmly, and a starry -
e was In her eyes. sThis ia not :
world"
'mething In her tone shot an cleo
current through every fiber ~ m.