r. He preserved his mental
equilibrium--she lost hers. The passionate outburst of the "little she
missionary," as he called her when he bade her goodbye, he regarded
as the natural and consistent corollary of moonlit nights beneath the
waving palms on white Hawaiian beaches. When he returned to Ponape he
simply forgot all about her--and Tulpe never asked him inconsiderate
questions about other women whom he might have met during the six months
he was away from her. He had come back--that was all she cared for.

*****

"I wonder how Tulpe would take it if she knew?" he thought. "She might
turn out a bit of a tiger."

"What are thy thoughts, Kesta?" And Tulpe came over to him and leant
upon his shoulder. "Is it in thy mind to see and talk with the new
missionary and his wife?"

"No," said Chester promptly; "sit thou here, wood-pigeon, and tell me of
the customs I read of here."

She sat down beside him, and leant her dark head against his knee,
fanning herself the while she answered his questions.

*****

"As it was then, Kesta, so is it now. And if it were to advantage thee I
should do likewise. For is it not the duty of a woman to let all men see
how great is her love for her husband? And if a great chief or king of
thy land came here, would I not obey thee?"

Chester laughed. "No great chiefs of my land come here--only
ship-captains and missionaries."

She turned and looked up into his face silently for a few moments, then
rose.

"I know thy meaning now. But surely this mean-faced missionary is not
to be compared to thee! Kesta, 'tis the fair-faced woman that is in thy
mind. Be it as you will. Yet I knew not that the customs of thy land
were like unto ours."

"What the devil is she driving at!" thought Chester, utterly failing to
grasp her meaning.

Early next morning Tulpe was gone.

****

"Deny it not, white woman. If thou dost not love my husband, how came
it that yesterday thou asked his name of me? See now, I deal fairly with
thee. For three days will I stay _here_ although thy husband is but as
a hog in my eyes, for he is poor and mean-looking, while mine is----,
well, thou shalt see him; and for three days shalt thou stay in _my_
house with my husband. So get thee away, then--the boat waits."

Pretty Mrs. Yowlman fled to her room and, wondering whether Chester
knew, began to cry, while Tulpe sat down, and, rolling a cigarette,
resignedly awaited the appearance of the Rev, Obadiah Yowlman.