Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-04-30

aheau. Don't run iEto it. BE careiu';
you're going straight tow ard it,
we might land there be said'
blandly.
To be sure we might, said his sister
glad of anything to divert him from the
first scheme.
'All right, just as you say
Tom turned his boat toward the great
rock. which lifted its broad back out oil
the water. 1t was fitly called the De-
sert Isle, for lis few square fee. OF sur
face supported not 50 much as blade
Of grass or bit OF moss.
Hop out, said Tom, I've got to see
10 the boat. l guess you can climb up
to the top easy enough
OF course l cam said Josephine ;
'as II [ needed your help, you little
monkey
In moment she stood at the top OF
the rock. and IN another moment de-
risive laugh came from below.
'Good.by l hope you will enjoy
Yourself. I'll see you later
Plato says: "A boy is the mOst vi
cious OF wild beasts Plato and Miss
Vail were of one opinion on that point.
she looked about her and took 10 the
situation. She was monarch Of about
twenty-five feet Of rough gray rocks.
the sides OF which descended abruptly
TO The water. Perched high on this
pedestal, her figure stood out against
the SKY in bold relief. A book and
parasol we're her only accessories, Tor
by some happy inspiration she had
elung TO these. The sun was high IN
the heavens but its ho; rays were mer-
ciiully tempered by a soft breeze on the
lake.
Josephius seated herself raised her
parasol and opened her book. She
faced the probability That at least two
hours Of MONDAY solitude were before
her. The philosophical course ol action
was TO make the best of it. But what
a situation to be discovered in She re-
mem bered with satisfaction that a large
par,v had gone on a picnic to-day, and
The doSa,ers left behind were NOT given
to boallng at high noon. She tried lc
think how she should laugh it oil Il
an, bodf should see her, but under the
mos,, cheerful aspect she seemed to
herself little ridiculous spectacle. Ic
be ridiculous in a good cause bad in il
40 element OF horoism, but the present
situation was one of unmitigateC
ab.urdlly, and Josephine Vail always
{ fell The heroic rather than the comic t(
be her forte. Once tears OF real veXa
ton started as her head began TO throI
in sympathy with the hot pulsa;ion
OF the air about her.
An hour bad dragged It's length wher
Josephine suddenly lifted her head anC
listened patiently. a mans voice
sjn.ing and the splash of oars, and. yes
in an instant, a boat swung slowi'
around the bend. Ole man sat in
lazily singing.
I's that base creature who watched
rs Of this morning. It's type l de-
test. And to think he should see mi
here It's really more than l can en-
dure.' The girl looked with envy on
the tortoise which slipped easily from
the base of the rock into the water a
be heard the disturbing sound OF oars
Il hope he'll have the good taste tC
suppose | came here Of my own free
will. He wouldn't think of interfering
with me, [ hope. What! believe
he's coming siright toward me!
Josepbene turned The leaves OF be
book with an interest that grew every
moment more intense. But at lengtl
decency re quired some recognition O
the nearing boat. The young man wa
rowing now as If he had renewed ln'
terest 10 hie. lie was soon at the bas
Of the rock.
I Il beg your pardon, he said, as b
raised his hal; 'can be of any servlc
to yOu?'
You are very kind, sir. You hn'
me in a very absurd condition.
' You have evidently been shipwreck
b ed. Are you the sole survivor"
NO, not shipwrecked but put ashoT
and abandoned BY my cruel tyrant of
brother. To tell you the truth, sir,
am the victim of practical joke. NJ
little brother has left me here while b
J goes farther up the lake to visit som
friends who are camping there
Il beg yon will make use of my boat
then, to return. will come up to yo'
10 one moment
Leaping out Of his boat before Mis-
Vail could say a word he drew it up o.
a low shelf Of the rock and qnickl,
reached her side.
r Let me help you,' the young maj
] said. with such a firm assurance {
2 good breeding that she made no resi'
, tance or attempt at independence, bu
j accepted the pro1ered aid in a quiet
t matter-ot.course way.
? Your boot your boat. sir y sh
: suddenly cried. 1t was too late. Th'
= rising breeze drove the water with sucl
, force against the rock 80 as TO dlslodsC
the boat, aud before Adams could grasl
it. il was gayly tldns about, bal
T. dozen yards away.
The two looked at each other a mo
ment aud then laughed both we're Con
&, scious OF its being questionable taste.
Adams sObered and said Can yoi