Evening star., 1950-02-12
A SHORT STORY

SNORT STORY
In Line Islands will that one looks sharp he
perceive svery Sheen Beau Randa ashgray faint
peay irdescnce Power of suggestion surely trick of the mind
Still. ..
was the pearl of course that drew Randall the
island they call Nofua The first ripping of the which
had been found the shell beds of the tiny ato had
reached his avid And he blown by the trades
satnbu creamy wake cometing out behind the native
manned outrigger in which he sat like a blond god
Beau Randall s laugh sounded large along the beached sands
as islanders him. He welcome naturally
all strangers; few whites Nofua
the reef had been stripped They brought him fruit and fish
STEPPED in lime juice which he washed down with great gps of
green while his appasng glance fingered the figures of the
bronzed madens
LATER Moy the blind Chinese Randall poured
gin the milk of opened and drank deeply
Wipng lips he said careessy Im
Randall of Boome Looking about for likely shell beds The
fuzzies told me you'd know"
Moy his head and shaft of sunlight angling through the
window played on his oche pate There shell
lugger time he said utiy he natives occasion
ally bring few seed pearls from the outer islands which ship
to China Nothing more
medicine pearls don't interest me Randall casually
Nov heard of large gem, fshed from the lagoon here
Moy shrugged One drop of water doesn't make ocean,
But, there is pearl?'
"The only any value brought up years. 1t just WELL
Wealth increases wants and thereby decreases conenment
Randall drank again. ''You have the pearl?"
1T my found by the young who gave
Melane his sister. will send to Sydney for her "
interrupted " buy pearls. I'll give you what it's worth"
oy hesitated then motoned Randall into his small Office where
he took silken packet from his strong box.
BEAU RANDALL sted the lay revealed 1t seemed to
shrink the yeowed palm in which cupped shmmering
sphere that needed jewelers. velvet milky throat against
which contrast its glowing beauty Randas throat frightened
His hand embed he reached for the pearl and held between
thumb orenge The Chinese could feel perfect roundne
but he couldn't the flaming ste the svey the rosy nt
Randall drew lens from his pocket Not blemish hint of
crack Reluctantly he placed the pearl back the gnad palm
the luxury that might his danced his BRAIN
For this the thing he had always dreamed Of Here he
holding the fabulous and blind Chnaman holding
the stakes. Randall wanted to laugh
He didn't laugh Instead he strove for cam ohand poker
when he sad "A rddy shame Moy baub that and shape
with life in it than the eye of dead fish, He paused
studying the others mmoble features mo orient color Moy
You don't need the glass the flaws Too bad still
might take chance good pearl doctor sknning down.
Frankly, I'm disappointed"
He let go deep breath We that's the breaks You chase
half the Pacific hoping He broke off Chinese began
wrapping the pearl them Oh I'll let have something for it,
Say ten pounds Likely I'll lose shirt the deal though
Silently, Moy placed the packet back in his safe
Randall mopped his brow with his sleeve Make fifteen pounds
Moy. I'm FOOL but -
The Chinese shook his head and Beau Randall knew suddenly