The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-22
IN PARADISE.


 1, must be an odd sensation to be cast away on a desert island. and left there to work ou, your own salvation the best way you can. 1t never exactly happened to me; bu, something else did, which l ,hink will spend this rainy morning teli- ing you about.
 One sunshiny day las, April, had you been on the long white beach of Ss. 'erre's-a nice li;,le Canadian town snow of-you might have seen three la dies and two gentle walking leisurely down the aforesaid beach In the direction oi pretty little boat, painted snowy xh,te with one gold streak running round ner. All the party were young, and wore ,n innocent. guileless sor, of expression beautiful to see; especially the gentle men.who reloieed Tn the divines, of sous- ;aches, and the eognomens of Har, Danforth and Louis Rosiere. Of the ie- male persuasion. the tallest was fair eihereal-iooking blonde Mary Dinsmore the second was Justine Marie Rosiere, a charming iit,ie French (. n aiian and the third was yours truly. v who brought up the rear. and had all he r energies absorbed Tn tip-,oeing over the mud without, detnment to a pair of bran- rev gaiters.
 How many miles IS it from here to paradise:' asked Mary. as she leaned neshgently on the arm of the dark-eyed, aandsome Monsieur Louis-Paradise be- ns the name of an island we were going D visit.
 Ros,ere looks as if he were in Para dise already" said Harry Danforth, leis- arely lighting q oigar.
 Harry. li;;le boys should be seen.and not heard. How far is lt, Louis
 ' About six miles. said Louls, singing he oars he earned on one shoulder over on the other.
 ' C'est scion; that's according 10 how he wind and ude is.'
 Oh, quite enlightened thank you nope we will have a nice moonlight even ing to come home in. Were you ever there, Justine"
 '' Lots of times" said Justine but Us not very pretty place, though it is Paradise. It does for picnics, though. splendidly, and in summer there are no end of them out there: but this time of year it's no great shakes.
 Glorious fishing there. though said Louis :" and the berries wish could see them. l used to have Jolly times there when l was a boy
 :" Are there many people living in ii ?" said l.
 Only one family; an old widow and her son and daughter and they're mon- archs of all they survey. The old lady ought to be rich now, after keeping public house there for SO many years, and if thought 1 stood any chance would propose for either herself or her daughter shouldn't mind much which
 ' It wouldn't be any use for you if you did,' said his sister. Elsie is married already went of like a rocket last week |; so your cakes all dough in that quarter
 We had reached the boat by this time, named after Louis sister, :" La Belle Jus ,ine," and a perfect gem of boat it was. 90 beautifully white and spo,less. wi,h silt wrea,hs all round il, the snow white sail. with its yellow edging ,he little white flag, bearing the boats name in gold letters the pretty seats and oars, all perfect chefs 'ouvres in their way. We took our seats. the gentlemen took each an oar, and were pushing off, when an old Frenchman Tn a red cap, who had been watching us in cynical silence for some time, saw n, to approach and sing oct
 Beg pardon. ladies and gentleman. bu, may ask if you are going far =
 Whats that to you. old red-cap e' responded Harry Danforth irreyeren,ly.
 Now hush, Harry~ interposed ius- tine. That's an old friend of mine an ancient fisherman, who has given me many sail lang syne. Tell him. Louis, and see what he wants
 We are going to Paradise, monsieur" sad Louis, touching his cap Have you any message to sesd lip ,here."
 have heard said the ancien, mon- sieur, a little confemptuousiy, -thai heaven is as near by sea as by land and you will soon have chance to know, my friends, fl you venture tar to-day. There $ storm brewing. % take my advice. and don't start for Paradise this morning.
 z. 4 storm .r we all exclaimed looking at the sunny sky. "Why. there Is not cloud to be seen.r
 avoila :" said Chapeau Rouge point ing to black speck in the west. The spring floods are there and will be upon us before night"
 Bah I'll risk i,. said Louis, pushing