e as a fool because I can neither make mats nor do many
other things such as becometh a wife. And for this did Merani, my
cousin, teach me how to make a wide hat of FALA to shield thy face from
the sun when thou art out upon the pearling grounds. AI-E-EH! my
husband, but thy face and neck and hands are as dark as those of the
people of Makatea--they who are for ever in their canoes.... See,
Paranili, bend thy head. AI-E-EH! thou art a tall man, my husband," and
she trilled a happy, rippling laugh as she placed the hat on his head.

He placed one hand around the pliant waist and under the mantle of
hair, and drew her towards him, and then, moved by a sudden emotion,
kissed her soft, red lips.

"Luita," he asked, "would it hurt thee if I were to go away?"

The girl drew away from him, and, for the first time in two years
Brantley saw an angry flush tinge her cheek a dusky red.

* * * * *

"Ah!"--the contemptuous ring in her voice made the man's eyes
drop--"thou art like all White Men--was there ever one who was
faithful? What other woman is it that thou desirest? Is it Nia of
Ahunui--she who, when thy boat lay anchored in the lagoon, swam off at
night and asked thee for thy love--the shameless Nia?"

The angry light in the black eyes shone fiercely, and the dull red on
her cheeks had changed to the livid paleness of passion.

Brantley, holding the rim of the hat over his mouth, laughed secretly,
pleased at her first outburst of jealousy. Then his natural manliness
asserted itself.

"Come here," he said.

Somewhat sullenly the girl obeyed and edged up beside him with face
bent down. He put his hand upon hers, and for a few seconds looked at
the delicate tracery of tattooing that, on the back, ran in thin blue
lines from the finger tips to the wrists.

"What a d----d pity!" he muttered to himself; "this infernal tattooing
would give the poor devil away anywhere in civilization. Her skin is
not as dark as that pretty creole I was so sweet on in Galveston ten
years ago ... Well, she's good enough for a broken man like me--but I
can't take her away--that's certain."

A heavy tear splashed on his hand, and then he pulled her to him,
almost savagely.

"See, Luita. I did but ask to try thee. Have no fear. Thy land is mine
for ever."

The girl looked up, and in an instant her face, wet with tears, was
laid against his breast. Still caressing the dark head that lay upon
his chest, Brantley stooped and whispered som