University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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A SOX OF TWO WORLDS 31 faces paling, their breath coming with difficulty. For several seconds no one moved. Finally Phillips recovered somewhat, and made a leap for the door. Quick as a beast of the forest John was upon him, and flung him back into the room. For a moment he allowed him to lie where he had fallen, hut then, rushing at him, he grabbed for his throat, and caught it in his vice-like grip. Realizing that he had met his master. Gordon made no attempt to offer resistance, but instead, endeavored to beg for mercy. “Mercy! Mercy!” hissed John. “Who are you that you should seek mercy at my hands? You who have tricked me, you who have played me for the fool and robbed me. now come whining to me for mercy.” He laughed fiendishly. “The snares that were meant for me have caught you. you cur. and you will pay the penalty.” His fingers tightened slowly, and as they did so the muscles of the defeated man’s forehead stood out like knots of iron. 'Pile end would come soon. Strong bent over the prostrate form of his foe. a queer smile playing about his lips. As he waited for the last flicker of life to die out. the sound of music came to his ears from the floor below. He listened. It was an Hawaiian orchestra playing the soft, soothing strains of the islands. The plaintive tone of the steel guitar, quivering like a leaf in the breeze, stood out above the rest. His thoughts went back to his home, to his people who were waiting for his return. For a moment he gazed into space. Then, allowing the all but lifeless form to fall to the floor, he turned, and trembling, left the room. The tribal meeting place was thronged with eager, rejoicing natives. Xot a sound could be heard, save the swishing of the waters against the nearby shore, as the king rose and stood before his assembled people.

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30 THE IGN ATI AN the city with a look of determination upon his face. The call of his people had been drowned out by another call, and he was going back—back to her and happiness. “No. madam is not in.” replied the maid to his inquiry. “But you will find her at the cafe with Mr. Phillips.” lie summoned a taxi and sped toward her favorite dining place. It was nice of Gordon to be watching out for her. he reflected, as he was carried noiselessly through the darkened streets. But oh, how glad she would be to see him! The machine dashed up to the curb and stopped, lie leaped out. and entering the restaurant, sought the head waiter. Yes. Miss Worth was there—in box 24. He hurried nervously upstairs and down the passageway to box 24. He cotdd hear their voices. Suddenly he stopped. Mildred was laughing gayly. Certainly she could not be feeling very sad over his absence. He advanced a few steps further, and then hesitated before the portiere that hid the couple within from view. Gordon was speaking. “I must congratulate you on the way you handled him. You are certainly a wonder.” “But he was so easy.” Mildred replied, “too easy in fact to make it interesting.” “I wonder how he will act when he returns and finds that I have gotten away with all of his money.” “Like the fool that he is. But don’t let that worry you. You should worry how he acts as long as you have his little wad tucked safely away.” By this time Strong was all but overcome with rage. The realization that these two had played with him as a spider plays with a fly, pierced him like a knife. And he had been caught in the web! His brow was knit, his fists were clenched, his blood coursed through his veins like mad. With one slash of his arm he swept the portieres from their fastenings, and stood before the couple in the room. They stared blankly at him in amazement, their

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32 THE IGNAT I AN “For three years ’ he began, “we have waited patiently for the return of our messenger. He has visited the land of wise men. and has returned to tell us what course we should pursue to please the all-powerful one. Let him speak.” Lalatea. clad in the garb of his people, stood by the side of his father. He gazed silently at the simple, godfearing natives drawn up before him, and then began. “More than three years ago I left you to go to the far-off land of America. I was to study the customs of the Americans, and then advise you as to whether you should change your mode of living.. I have studied their customs, I have learned their ways. I have lived as they live, and now I have returned to give you counsel. “The American people serve their god with an everlasting devotion. No effort, no task is too great. In childhood they are taught to worship at the altar of this deity, and in later years they never cease to bow down in homage. “But this god is not our god. It is a false god. Money, riches, wealth—whatever you wish to call it, is what they seek, is what they serve. For the possession of it lives arc sacrificed and loves are forgotten. The clink of golden coins striking against each other is the only celestial music for which they long. “Good people, you are fortunate that you have no desire for that which the world seeks. No false god receives the homage that belongs to the great and just preserver of our race. Continue in the future to keep the white man and his customs far from our isle. Lead the free, simple life of our ancestors, and you will ever be pleasing in the eyes of our all-powerful father. So saying, he strode through the crowded square, on down to the water's edge. lie gazed up at the blue heavens above, and as a smile illumined his face, his lips moved. “Great are the blessings that you have bestowed upon them.” he said, “for in their ignorance they are wise.”