The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-05
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nao TO De a showdown, that was
sure. Who had greatest voice In
the British Asiatic squadron?
What warships could the Neither
lands Trading Society command?
| had to have facts like these be-
fore ! could even decide in what
order must try the many possible
moves that were open to me.
My assets were the Linkang, and
what debts to her might be coll
lected; and a bit Of parchment
drumhead, which declared that ]
by Clyde's assignment - was
Rajah of Balingong.
I could not yet know how much
must happen before the fact
would at the name. Only the OBJ
ject Of my labor stood out clear
and clean--Some day would free
my Dyaks, if / lived. Once more /
was tied to Balingong-and this
time knew that ! was glad.
Only - somehow | could not
make the dream live. l believed in
it, saw its splendid opportunity;
some part of me was inseparable
from it. But in my weariness-and
was truly tired-none of it would
quite come alive. And this both
cred me for many days.
Then one hot, becalmed morn.
ing / found out what the trouble
was. Christine was awake again,
combing her lovely soft hair with
the help of a little mirror which
hung upon the stanchion where
once had seen mass Of orchids
sway. ! had been talking good
deal, racing over plans, asking her
for names. For her judgment ]
truly valued.
She was the only woman1 ever
knew who recognized what most
men and all seamen instinctively
know-that all things are always
in fiux and change. The belief in
the permanence of present status,
whether in ethics or in rank-wo-
men live by that; but not Chris
tine.
4 Love You
MY DESCRIPTION of ambitious
l1 plans ran itself out, and
finished lamely. She was very
quiet, and | was tired again. | felt
becalmed, like the Avon.
Then suddenly ] knew what was
wrong with me, and with all my
plans. ! threw my pencil into the
seq
First of all" said. II think we
need to go home"
"We need-what?"
We've been in brown islands
too long. We have to 60 home or
a while. See white people-lots of
'ein. Eat things we used to eat.
Get the fever out of US, and get
our perspective back. Then all this
will come clear"
Homer" Christine faltered.
England or America--it's all
the same to me"
Paul, you said we
Her eyes were free Of sleep for
the first time since we had cleared
Balingong pass; and now we
looked at each other, clearly.
Isaid. you weren't in love with
Clyde. II nearly broke your heart
that you couldn't be, because you
hated to hurt him. You admired
him and respected him - you
thought he was truly great. But
you were not n love with him."
How long have you known
that?"
"Since | came back from the
Tomarrup, | guess. Isn't ii true?"
She said. tive never loved any,
body but you. Though | didn't
know 1t for a while. even thought
| disliked you. Until tried to go
away; and then ! knew ! couldn't
ever leave you when you needed
me- whether you wanted me or
not"
"And you've known that loved
you-you've known it for a long
time"
"Of course"
"Then, why don't we say so?"
I've been wondering that for
quite some time"
4 took a deep breath, and a lot
OF the tautness went out OF me, so
that | could grin, and stretch, and
relax. ! said 'I'm half way home
already. Home to me is two things.
It's snow on the roofs; and It's
YOU"
She came across to me, behind
my chair, and laid her, cheek
against my forehead, so that her
loose hair blinded my eyes. =
TO me it's only one thing, It's
$50 HnsE uosi
(cotgisAf. 1853. Alas Lskayl 3 81
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