The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-02-12
CHAPTER VIII

Until now Karen Waterson had
secretly looked forward to the first
meeting of Tonga Dick Wayne and
John Colt, as an event no sports
lover would wish to miss. Now,
however, her mischievous spectator
interest was superseded by new ell
ements. Not Alakoa, but Karen her.
self, had become the focus of dis
turbance; making her hope that she
would be as far away as possible
when the two should collide.
The inevitable meeting took place
late that afternoon.
On the surface nothing could have
seemed smoother or more casual.
There was a tea danSant on the
beach terrace of the hotel; Karen
and John Colt sat at a table be-
side the dance floor. Neither of
them saw Tonga Dick Wayne come
strolling between the tables until he
was standing there, beside Karen's
chair.
Dick Wayne was wearing whites,
which emphasized the depth of his
tan; perhaps that was why he man.
aged to look like the only true is
lander there in all that throng. He
grinned down at them amiably from
his considerable height.
Hello, conspirators.
Karen said, Hello, Dick" John
Colt stood up automatically, but said
nothing; there was no least change
in his expression.
A miniature Filipino boy now
came into evidence behind Dick
Wayne; he was carrying chair
with which he must have followed
Tonga Dick clear across the lanai
through the crowd Karen supposed
that she would have to make the
best of the thing, such as it was.
"Mr. Wayne, I'm not sure whether
you've met Mr.. Colt?"
mot possibly the famous deep sea
diver?" Dick asked.
Much better known" Colt purred
"as an inventive pastry cook"
My mistake" Dick said.s
In the little awkwardness that fol-
lowed, which Dick Wayne did not
seem to notice, Karen could think
of no way out except to ask them to
sit down. Both of you," she added,
as John Colt still hesitated.
Dick Wayne accepted a drink the
Filipino boy handed him, and chuck
led as he looked about him. 81 see
some Honolulu people here" he re-
marked. Tomorrow it will be all
over town that the Waynes' black
sheep is very chubby with the enc
my, and has probably sold out"
.'Very amusing for you, have no
doubt" said John Colt.
"Yes," said Dick. "You look
kind of sweet, Karen"
Colt made movement in his
chair as if he were about to rise.
Don't go away" Dick said, not
bothering to take his eyes from the
dance floor. He slipped his drink re-
flectively, 81 have news for you,
Colt"
Difficult to imagine" John Colt
murmured.
''Many things that actually hap
pen are difficult to imagine. Who
would have imagined, for example,
that the granddaughter of Garrett
Waterson would turn UP on my boat
wearing false whiskers? Yet I give
you my word, John, that is exactly
what she did"
Neither Karen nor John Colt
seemed entertained.
''I see the American ambassador
to Japan" Dick said; land some
tobacco company boys, going out to
their stations in China; and quite
sprinkling of movie stars from Hol-
| lywood; and a gentleman who cut
a throat in Singapore, to my posi-
| tive knowledge"
'You are pretty well acquainted"
| John Colt inquired suavely, among
cutthroats?"
'.Only among those indigenous to
the Pacific. also see here half
dozen gentlemen that cannot quite
place. A few years ago ! would
have said that they were American
financiers of the hit-loot-and-run
type. had understood that condi-
tions on the mainland were no long
er favorable to those types"
"You seem well informed"
This is a crossroads" Dick said.