Evening star., 1936-02-17
CHAPTER xxx.
FARLEY MAKES TROUBLE.


~ warned every one that she
n was to be kept from knowing
the truth of things If possible, for her
own safety.
At first she was concerned only with
delight In her growing knowledge and
increasing strength. Her slim body
was rounding, her skin becoming
dusky gold, cheeks and lips flushed
with scarlet. The mop of curls, cut
short so they could be pushed under
her cap, were the color Of sage honey.
And then, as she found bed Of an
evening less attractive, she began to
notice a change in Lisa. She would
come in worn out in spirit as well as
In body.
Lisa" pied Anne one Sunday.
"wont you tell me what's wrong?"
"I don't know" the woman admit
ted, "of course, we have more work
with this run, but it's something else,
something in the air. Things aren't
harmonious like they were when Mr..
Luke was alive"
What things, Liisa?"
"Oh, I don't know, Tom Farley's
relatives, the place is running over
with them and they all want to boss.
If hadn't worked there II years I'd
try to find another job"
= Tom Farley. At the mention Of
that name Anne retreated to her eor-
ner overlooking the Pacific. while
memories of the past rushed over her.
Lee hadn't told Judge Kellogg of the
outcome of his investigation, though
shed heard nothing much from the
fishermen. She sensed trouble, rather
than knew Of it. Farley was unques-
tionably working with Rob Crocker,
and the two wouldn't give up easily.
She went to work the next morn
Ing in thoughtful mood. A gray day,
o silver gray day, she decided, as they
started out on a sea as smooth and
shining as an aluminium tray. She
watched the world turn from gray to
blue as a gentle rain blew up. This
would be good for her garden and she
wanted it a blaze of colors when John
returned.
When John returned. Her days re-
Volved about that thought. On the
late drift, after supper was over and
the little galley cleaned, she sat out
side thinking Of him.
Some day they would sit thus,
watching net buoys bobbing like scar
let blobs on the water. watching other
boats. catching the first glimpse of
the cape light.
And then her revery was inter-
fupted. George had jumped to his
feet and was looking of toward As
toria. Look at that FOOL" he shouted
to Orvi, pointing to a small cruiser
ducking in front of a big freighter,
footing derisively. He must be
drunk"
The boat careened, seemed TO sight
the Nikki idling on her drift, and
dated toward them. George jumped
to the roof of the cabin and began
waving and shouting. Orvi turned on
the searchlight and directed it to.
ward the buoy lights.
But on the cruiser came. Anne
looked at George, he was standing
still now, like statue Orvi, too
seemed numb; only the men in the
nearby gilnetters were sounding sirens
footing whistles.
The boat cut in between two buoy
lights. Stopped.
"On purpose, he did It'll" cried orvi
suddenly articulate, as the buoy light.
were drenched.
And now to the din was added the
sound Of curstng aboard the boat.
Hes tangled his propeller in our
nets" OrW walled. and then he broke
into Finnish and Anne, understand
ing. longed to join him.
A man came out on the tiny deck
reeled drunkenly, then steadied him
self and swore belligerently at the
crew of the Nikki; at all fishermen
who cluttered up the way and thought
they owned the whole Pacific.
Orvi, stricken, looked at him. Zone
thousand dollars" he walled as the
man swung over the stern to slash at
the water with blade, "our net, he
can't do that to our net"
Other voices Joined from nearby
boats and Anne caught occasional
words. Fellow working for the Farms
worth crowd" "Sorki brothers won't
stand a chance of having it made
good"
The powerful engine of the boat
started It's hum, strangled, stopped,
IL started again, choked. Time after
time the performance was repeated.
then suddenly it started towards the
: gilnetter.
Parayzed. Anne watched until it
came close. Horrified, she faced the
man who had slashed the net. Tom
Far4ey, sobered now, stared at her in
amazed recognition. "
The g1lnetter tipped with the wash
OF their wave as they veered by, and
Anne sank to the floor of the boat.
There was no use of staying long
on the river. Anne looked at the
dangling net as George drew it slowly
IN. The great cash slashed in it had
released the fish. Only a few were
entangled in what was left.
. Like silk, it was" murmured orvi
They turned back to Union Town
with scarcely a word spoken between
them.
> George broke the silence once
4s"And thought this would be ma g
last Summer at the cannery," he said,
= When they had tied up to the wharf
.sAnne spoke. Come up to my house,
wen pass yours quietly so Tecla won't
hear"
/. But Tecla did hear. She had sat
watching the lone boat putting back
from the drift, and like every other
woman with a man on the water, she
wondered what was wrong.
=. There is trouble" she said, OPEN
Ing the rear door and Confronting
them as they started up the stairs.
YES" answered the boys.
Lisa heard the tramp of feet and
met them at the door. She took one
look at their faces, then hurried them
in. fiercely cheerful, her top knot
riding her head like the comb of a
fighting cock.