at ease.

Another hour's run and Baldwin sailed the boat close under the trading
schooner's stern. Leaning over the rail was the pyjama-clad captain,
smoking a cigar.

"Now then, Harding," bawled the old trader, "don't forget to be up to
time, eight o'clock."

"Come aboard, and make out your order for your trade, you noisy old
_Areoi_ devil," said Harding. "You'll 'make it out ashore,' eh? No
fear, I won't trust you, you careless, forgetful old dog. So just lay up
alongside, and I'll take you ashore in half an hour."

"By Jupiter, I mustn't forget the order," and Baldwin, finding he could
not inveigle the captain ashore just then, ran the boat alongside the
schooner and stepped over her rail--"Go on, Brice, my lad. I'll soon be
with you. Give him some whisky or beer, or something, Loise, as soon as
you get to the house. He looks as melancholy as a ghost."

As the boat's crew pushed off from the schooner, Brice came aft to
steer, and placing his hand on the tiller it touched Loise's. She moved
aside to make room for him, and he heard his name whispered, and in the
darkness he saw her lips part in a happy smile.

Then, still silent, they were pulled ashore.

*****

From his end of the house he heard a soft footfall enter the big room,
and then stop. She was standing by the table when, soon after, he came
out of his room. At the sound of his footstep she turned the flame of
the shaded lamp to its full height, and then raised her face and looked
at him. There was a strange, radiant expectancy in her eyes that set his
heart to beat wildly. Then he remembered her husband--his friend.

"I suppose Tom won't be long," he began, nervously, when she came over
to him and placed her hand on his sleeve. The slumbrous eyes were all
aglow now, and her bosom rose and fell in short, quick strokes beneath
her white muslin gown.

"Why did you go away?" she said, her voice scarce raised above a
whisper, yet quivering and tremulous with emotion.

He tried to look away from her, trembling himself, and not knowing what
to say.

"Ah," she said, "speak to me, answer me; why don't you say something to
me? I thought that once your eyes sought mine in the boat"--then as she
saw him still standing awkward and silent, all her wild passion burst
out--"Brice, Brice, I love you, I love you. And you, you hate me." He
tried to stop her.

Her voice sank again. "Oh, yes, yes; you hate me, else why would you go
away without one word to me? B