Evening star., 1939-06-04

was very silent, Out ulu uOl Setlll III any way
distressed; and - apart from a curious
desire to run back again and go into CorbaPs
house, Just to see ! didn't quite know what
= was myself again.
Isabel didn't speak till we got in and then
she said she thought she had a headache, and
would lie down. | did not care to ask any
questions, but | thought she hardly knew
where she was. or what had happened.
stayed about the house until saw Sande
man coming back saw Isabel run to meet
him, and caught one glimpse, as turned
away, of their embrace. Then | went back
to my own house But could not rest there.
1t grew dark; found my way to Corbals,
after the moon rose: somehow, the place
attracted me, and thought | would talk
with him.
didn't get inside however; the house was
shut and silent. There was very bright moon
that night; you could see, laid out for miles
and miles, the velvet blue ranges that rose
beyond the station, and down in the valley
the river ran like road of silver. There was
a new piece of native stuff set over Corbals
doorway; very good, as were all his curios 1t
was one of those huge carved wooden birds.
with wings outspread, that can be found still
in the rernoter reaches of New Guinea rivers,
and it is mixed up, invariably, with all sorts
of murder and madness. It's supposed to
represent the man-of-war bird, which lives
by rapine, snatching its prey alive from the
very throat of previous captor.
called Corbals name, but there was no
answer; no sound but the papery rustling of
the sago thatch, and. away in the valley, the
faint unceasing rumor of the river.
went back home again and sat for long
while with my head in my hands. In that mo-
ment | realized what we pay, all our lives
through. for our cherished romance of the
wild, we of the famous Service. should be
older than Sandeman before could afford to
bring bride to this back end of the world -
even if were willing to do 50. was young
now, and the wine of youth ran hot in my
veins But sat here alone while over at the
Residency, as l watched, the lights were
suddenly. softly put out.
For the next few days no one saw much of
the bride When she and Sandeman took up
the ordinary life of the station again, it be-
came clear that he was almost morbidly
Jealous of her. So much so, that when he
found himself obliged to 60 out on two days
visit to a neghboring village he thought OF
taking Isabel with him. She was willing, de-
lighted even But when he hesitated, telling
her that it was strictly forbidden to take
wives on any patrol short or long, and that
he'd probably get into trouble over it, she
agreed Il shall be all right" she told him
cheerfully. I'VE mustn't spoil your chances
of promotion.
Sandeman seemed to hesitate for mo-
ment. Then he looked at me, and said, Dane
will see after you" He gave me an order then:
You'll rig your mosquito net on my veranda,
and sleep there for these next two nights.
And gancing round to see whether Isabel
heard him - Keep your eye on my wife
when she leaves the house.
In another minute he was gone, and Isabel,
laughing like schoolgirl. was making some
Joke about my being her nursemaid. She
didn't seem to take the matter seriously. Or
mavbe her breeding, which was one of the
most perfect things about very perfect little
lady, led her to make nothing OF it.
The moon was strong on the veranda of
the Residency that night. They say that
moonlight drives you mad, if you sleep with
it shining on your face. did not sleep at all,
but it shone on me most OF the night, and l
found myself, in the morning, strained and
naryous 7 went about nv work as usual;