Evening star., 1941-06-01
Il Short Story Complete in This Issue

- Emerald his seventeen sister. They stood to-
gether excited group watching the strangers land The
three of them had to this deserted mid Pacific island on
Mr. Meampey business alleged to be the search for phos
phate rock fourteen months earlier But the yearly ycalng
boat hadn't called they short of provisions and the men
not Emerald, from whom they kept every hint of trouble
beginning to be anxious.
That kechi the Harper Compays Gossng declared
Certainly isn't she" agreed Mr. Melampey. The phrase
stamped him exschoomaser but his wide shrewd face
with the keen little eyes. had little of the classroom cut about
now. Melampey mad escaped the classroom years ago
His job the desert island helped out by former student
and his sister, intended by MIR Melampey make that
escape permanently secure.
ITS queer lot that S coming ashore from her. Gossng
commented. One of ems lame anothers humpy. another
has black goggles and the that's coming first is sixty
nhes day.
They We left one on board Emerald said staring hard
the buwarks of the sailing ship where head light and round
showed like coored bead The aspect of the had
disappointed her. pretty GIRL with brown sungded ha
and as blue the great lagoon of Meak she finding
this Cusoe life with her brother and fat old man. not quite
romantic she had expected And to cap ALL the
what they 1t seemed like bad dream
Mr. Meampey, who had left the scholastic profession
through any lack of mother displeased 1t certainly
queer thing this lost and lonely and beautiful island
ship debak company of men unlike the typical
South Sea The Sandra, Harper and Co.'S powered
schooner should have been rocking out there her moorngs
instead of this strange ship Instead of this company of the
lame halt and blind couple of hearty ships officers and few
deck hands should have been carrying of food should by
have been advancing towards the little sheeron houses
where they all three lived.
Mr. Meampey did not understand the state affairs and
dsked and dstrusted what he did understand He
also worried about Emerald that charming child whom
secretly he beginning to care for more than prudent
sensible Emerald shouldn't be loose island in the
company of these very queer folk.
Gossng hailed the strangers See anything of the Sandra
She ought to- been here three months ago..
The with the dark glasses answered mo- The others
stood STILL staring about them 81 reckon she was lost he said
Melampey asked, What happened to herr
1t simple question: but the looked at each other
before answering The hupback sad Struck something and
sank Then he went quickly, I'VE haven't here to
CAB with We want to know what to and where
it
NlR. MELANPEY said cooly Where what is?"
The lame man broke in There's chat in the islands
about your being here for gold.''
Gosslng gave hoarse laugh Meampey said, my good
friend you expect find gold in coral island you know less
about geology than you should"
The lame damned geology They getting gold
the Woodlark In Papuer right out of the coral rocks
reckon it's where you find it. They say you"
"Lies!" Emerald sheltered behind MIR. Meampeys great
bulk, cried "Lies!"
Gossling looked at her. "Shut up" he told her kindly
Il you,' Mr. Melampey declared that there's
neither wash gold reef gold in the place. much
you could put the point of needle You prove it in
half an hour AS for Woodlak, that formation ancient
aspecies Of"
"s there pearls?" suddenly shouted the humpback The
with dark glasses at him. Pears he said
temptuousy Pearls, my foot Who for the like?
They're not worth than buttons the present market
"Oh they're all mad Gosng declared careless of being
overheard
NO., said Mr. Meampey eyeing the strangers Something
his tone touched Emerads easily stirred sensbes She
hrank little further behind the solid cliff of his person Yes
you feel your bones that I'd die for Meampey thought
but you don t know why - Emerald Emerald,
Gossing took couple of steps forward Who you?
he asked What's that ship of yours and what you doing
going about annoying honest people? Crpes would think