to Samoa, where, under the assumed name
of Tom Patterson, he soon found employment. Then one night he went into
Charley the Russian's saloon--and met Melanie.

And now he was settled down at Fana 'alu, was doing well as a trader,
and had acquired, in all its intensity, the usual dislike to the idea of
ever going back to the world again, common enough to men of his nature
in Polynesia. Besides that, Melanie understood him and he understood
her. She was as open and honest as the day, worked hard for him in his
store, and was sincerely attached to him. So he was well content.

* * * * *

There was much commotion in the village when the trading barque arrived
and lay-to off Fana 'alu. Melanie, in a dress of spotless white muslin,
flitted to and fro within the house, smoking cigarettes and cursing her
women assistants' laziness and stupidity. Masters, it so happened, was
away in his boat at another village along the coast, and pretty Melanie
was in a state of nervous trepidation at the thought of having to meet
the English lady alone. What should she do? What should she say? Her
English was scant but vigorous, having mostly been acquired from
the merchant skippers, who, in her--to put it nicely--maiden days,
frequented the dance house of 'Charley the Russian' in Apia, and she was
conning over the problem of whether she should address her coming guest
in that language or not. Her child, a little girl of two, followed her
mother's movements with intense curiosity; and presently a bevy of young
native girls swarmed into the room with the news that the boat had come
ashore, and that the white lady and her husband had landed and were
now walking up to the house. Then Mrs Masters Number Two pulled herself
together and, throwing away her cigarette, went to the door and, with a
graceful, modest demeanour and a timid, bashful smile, held out her hand
to a lovely being with big, bright blue eyes and thick masses of hair of
shining gold. Beside this--to Melanie--glorious vision of beauty, stood
the husband--a big, black-moustached and bronze-feced man, who stooped
as he entered the door of the trader's house, and said good-naturedly to
her,--

'Glad to meet you, Mrs Patterson. Will your husband be long before he
returns?'

'I don' know, sir,' answered Melanie. 'He hav' gone to Pitofanua. But
he will come ver' quick when he know that the ship hav' come.' Then,
trembling with pleasurable excitement, s