Evening star., 1938-02-02

ting and reached for the round
a little head resting on the pill
low. Golden curls captured luster and
turned aside the dazzling shafts OF
brightness. The heat Of the morning
brought faint flush to the unblem-
ished texture of the sleeper's skin.
Beneath the sheet, the slender body
stirred uneasily.
Denise opened one eye and imme-
diately closed it. The bed was too
heavenly to abandon for the business
of the day. Her mind trailed back to
the dream in which Christopher ar
dently--she jerked upright. Today
young Pearson was going to show her
about the island.
Quickly she jumped out of bed.
Seconds later she was standing be-
meath a shower and blessing the civil
lization Of which she was a charming
member for the ingenuity which sent
refrigerating gadgets to obscure places
like the Dutch East Indies.
Funny. she thought, in her dream
the Englishman had been Christopher.
not Mr.. Christopher. She wondered
with MacCauley just what his last
name or his first name was.
Cooled and refreshed, she turned
off the water and deserted the azure
tiled shower for her bedroom. AS she
entered the chamber, wall of heat
snubbed her short. She recalled a
VII ~ sL>
dentally overheard.
She's in time for the hot spell.
wonder if that peaches and cream
complexion will last until November.
Twenty bucks it does,' Pearson had
said.
But Lane hadn't replied
Denise looked about her bungalow.
It was nice of Pearson to have given
it up for her. and 1t was nice for Lane
to have taken the youngster in with
him. She couldn't imagine MacCauley
sharing his quarters with any one.
Not even. the idea struck her as fun
ny, wife. But therein she erred,
because at that moment the superin-
tendent Of Timora was giving serious
consideration to that very thing. Had
she known his intensions she might
have been frightened, but she didn't
know, and therefore was happy and
blithesome in her ignorance.
Lane had given her few lessons
in the language she would have to
use IN her dealings with the inhabi-
tants Of the island. She hoped that
she would get an opportunity to ex-
ercise her slight knowledge.
When John Pearson arrived Denise
was ready. He looked approvingly at
the trim, lissom body of the new
accountant as she gaily invited him
to have glass of fruit juice before
starting on their expedition. He ac-
cepted. and sat across from her, his
eager eyes watching her every move
ment.
Denise read the unspoken thoughts
that were in his eyes and felt surge
Of sympathy for the young man. But
1t was sympathy, nothing more. MOTH
ing less. For some reason she was
sorry for Pearson. She didn't try to
analyze her feelings; she rarely II ever
did. Life was too short for that. She
dismissed the subject with toss Of
the head that merely served to en-
mesh poor Pearson more securely
Leaving the shelter Of the little
house, Denise was nearly blinded by
the glare Of the sun. They went along
path that led down to the seashore.
Were fortunate to be going now" he
remarked. Later in the day it gets
pretty bright. One can hardly see"
Denise found small consolation in
the information. Does it get very
hot on this island7" she asked, think
ing about the ravages that months Of
tropical sun could wreak upon the
delicate tissues Of her skin
NO." he replied with a boyish grin
"The temperature averages about IS
degrees the year around"
She was surprised at such fine
weather and said So
Just a moment" he corrected her.
Don't leap at conclusions. Just be-
cause the temperature happens to be
moderate, don't think that the weather
is, too. There's common remark
circulating on the subject: 1t isn't
the heat-it's the humidity"
"Oh golly" she exclaimed, with a
sudden realization. rs there a rainy
season here, too?"
They were on the top of a hillock.
Pearson halted and pointed to thick
clumps Of trees, ferns and shrubs lying
on all sides of them. For three
months" he said impressively. and
Denise detected the dread and weary
anticipation in his voice, 1T rains, and
rains, and rains. That's how that
cockeyed crossword puzzle of trees and
bushes manages to stay so heavy. This
Is an equatorial rain fores.. You won't
like the rain," he predicted, but
there isn't anything that can be done
about it."
WELL" Denise wanted to know.
What is done? Do you sit around in
your shirt sleeves. swilling whisky
and playing cards?" She was at
tempting to be fscetious. but Pearson
was appalled, by the accuracy of her
pure conjecture, and apprehensively
asked her where she had got that
idea.
From books" she replied, laughing.
isn't that the usual place.. Mr.. Pear
SOM"
His echoing laughter was bitter.
'"There'll be times when you'll wish
that things were that SIMPLE" he re-
marked. mindful Of the rising tide Of
MacCauley's temper that broke over
Timora with the first rain clouds.
Come along" he added. I'll show
you the southern native village" She
followed him. wondering at his gloomy
outlook.
"oh, and another thing" he said
abruptly, wheeling about Since we're
going to be staring at each other for
Allah knows how long, I think We
could dispense with the stilted for
malities. My names John"
Fine" Denise agreed. John 1t 1."