The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-06-05

'No, sir-my personal belief is
that it really cannot be DONE"
After that it was still necessary
for Tonga Dick to explain to Charles
Wong that he could not come to
Honolulu yet-that he was going to
Nuku Hiva. A good deal Of expostu-
lation attended that, but Wong could
not persuade Tonga Dick to change
his mind.
"This thing will be in probate a
couple of years yet," Dick conclud-
ed. "Two or three weeks isn't go
ing to make any difference"
After he had hung up the phone
he sat for some time with his ell
bows on James Wayne's desk. 1t
was very difficult for him to compre-
bend the full meaning Of what had
happened. He was convinced that
no ability of his own had decided
James Wayne; it must have been
simply that no one could have
known his brothers well without rec
ognizing that they were futile and
indecisive men.
It was strange to think that this
desk where James Wayne had sat
so many years was now his own;
that he was supposed to sit there,
and so manage James Wayne's con-
ceptions of Alakoa that they should
be brought to ultimate fruition.
Plenty of exploitationists beside
John Colt would be waiting to swal-
low Alakoa up if he should fail, and
he did not believe that any Of them
could be expected to do well by Ala
koa. It made him feel understood,
and unready; but he could not imag-
inc failure-not in the long run.
Presently he took up the phone
again, and began trying to reach
various people in Honolulu-lawyers
mostly. The Holokai was waiting,
ready to sail, but she had to wait.
Most of the day was gone before he
had made sure that he really dared
take the time to sail to Nuku Hiva,
as he had promised Garrett Water
son to do.
Karen Waterson was waiting
aboard the Holokai when Dick finally
went aboard. His establishment at
finding her there was so complete
that at first he did not know what
to say to her.
''My grandfather tells me-" Karen
said, ''that you are sailing almost
any hour now"
81 have to 60 to Nuku Hiva for
him.
81 know; ! have learned quite a
bit about island affairs while he's
been sick. You'd be surprised how
much know about how things are
done in the South Seas"
He still didn't know why she had
come aboard the Holokai, but he
didn't want to ask.
''Looks like good weather." he Of
fered. ''The Holokai ought to make
good time"
II hope you have a dandy trip"
"Thanks."
"But weren't you intending to
touch at Honolulu, before you sail
south?"
He started to tell her that he was
not, but checked himself. "Why do
you ask?"
81 was hoping you'd give me a
lift. My grandfather will get along
very nicely now, think. OF course,
he'd be glad to take me to Homo
lulu on the Sarah; but he ought not
to 60 to sea for another ten days
yet, and he simply won't 60 ashore.
And I think--I would like to get
away"
He knew that one Of Alakoa's lit
tie cattle boats could give her pas
sage to Honolulu in q day or two;
but she didn't seem to know this,
and he decided not to mention it.
"Of course I'll be glad to take you
to Honolulu"
She smiled a little. 81 knew you
would. In fact, I even had my bag
gage put in the cabin"
That, too, somewhat surprised
him, but he only said, ''We'n weigh
anchor soon."
II think" Karen said, ''I'll 60 be-
low and take a nap, II you don't
mind. There hasn't been an awful
lot of sleep to be had aboard the
Sarah"
When she had gone below and
curled up on Dicks own bunk.
Tonga Dick found that he was Bit
tsrly disappointed. He had supposed
that the trip to Honolulu would give
him chance to talk to her again;
but she might just as well have wait
ed for the cattle boat, Il she was
going to sleep the voyage out.