The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-03-06
CHAPTER "

A slim Hawaiian girl called Lilua
had shown Karen her room; and
now this girl was back again tapping
at the door panel.
"Yes?"
"Mister Dick wants to know If you
would like to have coffee with him. !"
Uncertain, Karen Waterson opened
the door. Tonga Dick was surely
the last person in the world she
wanted to see.
As she hesitated Lilua moved
across the room and closed a case
ment that Karen had opened, and
Karen experienced a sharp annoy
ance. There was no air Of service in
the Hawaiian girls movement or in
her face; rather there was a faint
irony in Lilua's eyes, as If she con-
descended to assist q helpless per-
son who didn't know how to take
care of herself.
Karen put Q cigarette into an ebo-
ny holder, lighted it, and studied
Lilua impersonally. Lilua had the
creamy brown skin Of the pure Fla
waiian; her softly waved hair, black
as any night, was drawn back over
her ears, brushed severely.
"How old are your" Karen asked
suddenly.
Lilua's unwavering eyes seemed
amused. Eighteen. How old are
your
II Karen had conceived Lilua to
be in any way less than her equal,
that idea was evidently not shared
by Lilua. Karen turned away.
Somewhat older" she said short
ly. "Tell Mr.. Wayne ] will come. I"
''I'll show you where he is" Lilua
said.
Karen turned to look at her, i'm
PEELED by that steady gaze. you're
glad to see him back, aren't your"
Karen said.
Lilua hesitated perceptibly, but
her quiet voice did not change as she
answered. 81 haven't seen him for
two years."
Karen, her annoyance unaccount-
ably increased, followed Lilua
through the house.
Dick Wayne was stretched out be-
fore the fire in the big room whose
immense doors opened upon the val
ley and the fog; Lilua Immediately
crossed the room to close those
doors. Dick rose, looking apologize.
81 hope you'll make yourself COM
Portable here. I'm sorry If you feel
I've made things awkward for you.
! think I'll be able to take you back
tomorrow"
Good"
In the stiff silence between them,
Lilua came and stood in front Of
Dicks chair, looking at him
steadily.
"Dick, you must be careful Of this
night. / don't like this night at all.
E makani auanei, Ike kau mai la
ke kakai Kakaipali--"
''That's rude, Lilu'," Dick stopped
her. "You know she can't under
stand that"
Lilua cast contemptuous glance
at Karen, and she did not trans
late; but she went on in English.
Pretty soon the clouds are going
to rise higher, and the wind is going
to blow through. And then it is GO
ing to rain, and even the rain is GO
ing to be q bad rain"
Dick pulled at his cold pipe, his
eyes morose upon the fire. Don't
think much of 1t myself" he adj
Mitted.
''The wrong gods are walking"
Lilua said now. "The right gods
never walk here any more. Renem-
Der how we used to hear them walk
ing? But they haven't walked here
for long time. Something else is
here instead. Sometimes can feel
It coming near. And tonight it is
very close, terribly close; and even
the dog is afraid"
Dick Wayne stirred restively. Per-
haps he thought he knew what il
was that was near; but he didn't
want to look at it, yet. ''You'd bet
ter 60 get some sleep, Lilu'."
ssDick, this Is q wrong time"
ssWropg time for what7" Dick
snapped at her.
Lilua glanced ut Karen, but what
she said next was unintelligible.
"Dick," Lilua said, ssKai-Ale-Ale
has been seen again. He hasn't been
seem Dick, he hasn't been seen
since my grandmother died"
Dick Wayne took time to explain
this to Karen. There's . big
shark, " he put in, In aside, that the
nntives think Is . sod. I've never