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"I knew he would come," she breathed. Constantine broke his silence for the first time, addressing Mildred directly. "This baby b'long Mr. Marsh. He say he goin' marry Chakawana, but he lie; he goin' marry you because you are rich girl." He turned to Marsh. "What for you lie, eh?" He leaned forward with a frightful scowl. "I tell you long time ago I kill you if you don' marry my sister."
"By-the-way, what kind of a looking feller is he?" asked Fraser. "He's fine, han'some man," said Chakawana. "Nice fat man. Him got hair like like fire." "He's fat and red-headed, eh? He must be a picture." "Yes," agreed the girl, rather vaguely. "Is he married?" "I don't know. Maybe he lie. Maybe he got woman."
He found the girl ready to accompany him, and they were about to embark when Chakawana came running from the house as if in sudden fright. "Where you go?" she asked her mistress. "I am going to the Indian village. You stay here " "No, no! I no stop here alone. I go 'long too." She cast a glance over her shoulder. "But, Chakawana, what is the matter? Are you afraid?" "Yes."
Willis Marsh stood helpless, his plump face slack-jowled and beaded with sweat. He could not yet grasp the completeness of his downfall, and waited anxiously for some further sign from Mildred. It came at last in a look that scorched him, firing him to a last effort. "Don't believe her!" he broke out. "She is lying to protect her own lover!" He pointed to Chakawana.
"No reason in particular." "What for you ask?" she insisted. "Maybe you b'long Company, eh?" Emerson laughed, but she was not to be put off easily, and, with characteristic guile, announced boldly: "I lie to you. She no trade with Aleut people. No; Chakawana lie!"
Look out!" ejaculated Fraser, retreating in alarm. "I never had no measles." But Chakawana went on cuddling the infant in a motherly fashion while Cherry reassured her guests. "Is that an Indian child?" asked Emerson, curiously, noting the little fellow's flushed fair skin. The kneeling girl turned upward a pair of tearful, defiant eyes, answering quickly: "Yes, him Aleut baby."
"What was it you wished to see me about?" he asked. "Oh! Have you seen Chakawana?" "No." "She disappeared early this morning soon after the yacht came in; I can't find her anywhere. She took the baby with her and I'm worried." "Doesn't Constantine know where she is?" "Why, Constantine is down here, isn't he?" "He hasn't been here since yesterday." Cherry rose nervously.
But Constantine heard that he intended to marry you, and hearing also that he intended leaving to-night, Constantine brought his sister back in the hope that Mr. Marsh would do what is right. You see, he promised to marry Chakawana long before he met you." Mildred could have done murder at the expression she saw in Cherry's face. This woman she had scorned had humbled her in earnest.
When they came forth they found Chakawana in the store, and a few moments later were called to breakfast. "Where is your mistress?" inquired Boyd. "She go see my sick broder," said the Indian girl, recalling Cherry's mention of the child ill with measles. "She all the time give medicine to Aleut babies," Chakawana continued. "All the time give, give, give something. Indian people love her."
Bime'by Chakawana come back too, I guess." "Well, I don't need you to-night, so you'd better go back to Cherry's house and stay there till I send for you." Constantine acquiesced calmly, and a few minutes later accompanied his mistress up the beach. As she passed Marsh's cannery, Cherry saw a tender moored to the dock, and noticed strangers among the buildings.
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