The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-05-07

| mo you uOnJ' LeaNe S'n "ioho anu
sit still"
"Tom, turn this boat instantly, or I'll
What'll.you dol Come now; you sit
still or III"
"Tom, there's the Desert Island just
ahead Don't run into it. BE careful;
you're going straight toward il"
awe might land there" he 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 of
the water 1t was fitly called the Desert
Isle, for its few square feet of surface
supported not so much as blade OF
grass or a bit of moss.
Hop out said Tom: "Pve got to see
to the boat guess you can climb up to
the top easy enough"
"Of course / cam" said Josephine; ;
"as if l needed your help, you little
monkey"
In a moment she stood at the top of
the rock, and in another moment de-
risive laugh came from below.
"Good by; hope you will enjoy your
self. I'll see you later"
Plato SAYS: "a boy is the most
vicious of wild beasts" Plato and Miss
Vail were of one opinion on that point.
She looked about her and took in 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 were
her only accessories, for by some happy
inspiration she had clung to these. The
sun was high in the heavens, but its hot
rays were mercifully tempered by o soft
breeze on the lake.
Josephine seated herself, raised her
parasol and opened her book. She faced
the probability that at least two hours of
noondav solitude were before her. The
philosophical course of action was to
make the best of it. But what a situa-
ton to be discovered in! She remem-
bered with satisfaction that a large
party had gone on a picnic to-day, and
the dowagers left behind were not
given to boating at high noon.
, She tried to think how she should
|
but under the most cheerful aspect she
seemed to herself little ridiculous spec
tacle. To be ridiculous in good cause
had in it an element of heroism, but the
: present situation was one of unmitigated
absurdity, and Josephene Vail always
/ felt the heroic rather than the comic to
be her forte. Once tears of real veXation
l started as her head began to throb in
sympathy with the hot pulsation of the
air about her.
An hour had dragged its length when
, Josephene suddenly lifted her head and
r listened painfully. A mans veice sing
l I.ing and the splash of oars, and, yes, in
an instant, boat swung slowly around
Q the bend One man sat in it lazily
| singing.
7 'Tts that base creature who watched
us off this morning. It's type l detest.
And to think he should see me here
Its really more than l can endure" The
Girl looked with envy on the tortoise
. which slipped easily from the base of the
, rock into the water as he heard the dis
| turbing sound of oars.
G 'I hope he'll have the good taste to
, suppose came here of'my own free will.
! He wouldn't think of interfering with
e me, hope. What! / believe he's com
r ing straight toward men'
= Josephene turned the leaves of hel
y book with an interest that grew every
1 moment more intense. But at length
n decency required some recognition of the
Q nearing boat. The young man was row
l ing now as if he had renewed interest il
n life. lie was soon at the base OF Tho
+ rock.
! 81 beg your pardon" he said, as hi
= raised his hat; ''can be OF any service
to you"
''You are very kind, sir. You find mi
i in very absurd condition"
y 'You have evidently been shipwrecked
l Are you the sole survivor"
n "No, not shipYrecked, but put ashore
and abandoned by my cruel tyrant Of
v brother. To tell you the truth, sir, | an
$ the victim of practical joke. My littl
n brother has left me here while he goe
e farther up the lake to visit some friend
/ who are camping there"
r 81 beg you will make use of my boat
IS then, to return. will come up to yol
e in one moment"
1t Leaping out of his boat before Mis-
IS Vail could say a word he drew it up ol
d low shelf of the rock and quickly reached
IS her side
d "Let me help you," the young ma
p said, with such a firm assurance of goo'
II breeding that she made no resistance o
le attempt at independence, but accepte,
ir the proffered aid in a quiet, matter-of
7 course way.
Of ''Your boat your boat, sirl" she sud
ID denly cried. 1t was too late. The risin
in breeze drove the water with such fore
10 against the rock so as to dislodge tn
r boat. and before Adams could grasp il
ID it was gayly fitting about, half doze
n, yards away.
to The two looked at each other me
p ment and then laughed, though bot
were conscious of its being questionable
u taste.