akfast at Etheridge's.

"By Jove, Lawson, I'm the luckiest man in Samoa to get such a wife as
Lalia--and I only a new-chum to the Islands. I believe she'd work night
and day if I'd allow it. And if it hadn't been for you I'd never have
met her at all, but would have married some fast creature who'd have
gone through me in a month and left me a dead-broken beachcomber."

"Yes," said Lawson, "she _is_ a good girl, and, except her sister, about
the only half-caste I ever knew whom I would trust implicitly. Their
mother was a Hervey Island woman, as I told you, and Lalia has been with
Terere and me all over Polynesia, and I think I know her nature. She's
fond of you, Etheridge, in her quiet, undemonstrative way, but she's a
bit shy yet. You see, you don't speak either Rarotongan or Samoan, and
half-caste wives hate talking English. Now, tell me, what is it worrying
you? You haven't had another attack?"

"Yes," said the younger man, "I have--and a bad one, too, and that's why
I sent for you. The stocktaking is nothing; but I was afraid I might get
another that would stiffen me properly. Look here, Lawson, you've been
a true friend to me. You picked me up six months ago a drunken,
half-maddened beast in Apia and saved my life, reason, and money,
and----"

"Bosh!" said Lawson, taking his coffee from the hand of Etheridge's
wife; "don't think of it, my boy. Every man goes a bit crooked
sometimes; so don't thank me too much."

Etheridge waited till his wife was gone and then resumed: "I've been
horribly scared, Lawson, over this," and he placed his hand over his
heart, "I was lifting a case of biscuits when I dropped like a pithed
bullock. When I came to, Lalia was bathing my face.... I feel pretty
shaky still. The doctor at Goddeffroy's warned me, too--said I'd go off
suddenly if I wasn't careful. My father and one brother died like that.
And I want to talk things over with you in case, you know." Lawson
nodded.

"Everything I have is for her, Lawson--land, house, trade, and money.
You're pretty sure there's no irregularity in that will of mine, aren't
you?"

"Sure. It's very simply written. It's properly witnessed, and would hold
in any court of law if contested. And perhaps your people in Australia
might do that."

Etheridge reddened. "No; I cut adrift from 'em long ago. Grog, you know.
Beyond yourself and Lalia, I haven't a soul who'll bother about me.
I think, Lawson, I'll take a run up to Apia and see the Dutch d