The free press., 1896-05-28


they had been delayed, it was dusk
before they approached the island.
Then the painful news was circulated
that the tide was too low for the Tom
Jones to reach the wharf.
"Must we stay on board all night, ="
asked Janet.
"We are going ashore in lugger-
romantic lugger that will satisfy all
your cravings for the picturesque, +"
replied Phil, with unfeeling levity.
"Don't be alarmed-it won't last
long" said Mr.. Van Dyne reassur
ingly.
The passengers embarked upon the
| lugger with murmurs of, Dear me !
how horrld!" 81 wouldn't have come
if I'd known this" etc.
1t was dark, very dark, with only
the glimmer of the lantern at the
boats head to light their progress.
Two men marched up and down on
the thwarts, polling the boat along
through the shoal water; and the
passengers shuddered as they heard
the cry, "Hard off hard Off for
they knew they were about to stick i'll
the mud. Three times they stuck.
and meanwhile the mosquitoes bit
| ferociously.
"Even you, papa, must admit that
this is poor beginning" said Janet I;
but Mr.. Dale only groaned and gave q
vicious slap at an invisible but very
audible swarm of mosquitoes.
At last they reached the wharf and
disembarked with some difficulty, but
it was SO dark that Janet began to fol-
low stray mule, under the impress
sion that it was her father. She was
rescued from this vain pursuit by Phil,
who declared that her misapprehen-
sion was very unfilial.
"How dreadful it all is" she said,
''but at any rate it's something to be
on dry land once more"
The next morning, however, under
q bright blue sky, the island put on
its prettiest face and Janet could not
help being pleased with it. The fresh
ly painted cottages beneath the rows
of trees looked very attractive, and
the old sugar house, which did duty
as ball room, gave promise Of pleas
ure to come.
The days passed lazily and pleasant
ly, for q stiff breeze had swept away
the mosquitoes, and the air was
like daught from the Fountain of
Youth.
Mr.. Van Dyne was his own charm
ing self, and Janet could not help ow.
ing that there was something very
winning also in Phirs good spirits,
though she was repelled by some of
the sentiments he uttered.
"He must have a hard, selfish streak
in him." she thought, for she was still
young enough to judge people by their
words.
But presently the bright weather
began to break up, and on the day set
for an excursion to the neighboring
lighthouse, the sky looked SO threat
ening that Mr.. Dale would not allow
Janet to go with the party.
'Those long wisps of clouds mean
wind" he said.
Janet felt inclined to pout as the gay
party, headed by Phil set forth on
their quest of pleasure.
Darker and darker grew the sky,
and toward afternoon it began to rain
III gusts, and the wind piped shrilly.
Some anxiety was felt on behalf of the
absent ones, and Janet joined group
of watchers on the dining room gal
lery. Presently the lugger appeared,
her sail sometimes almost flat upon
the water as fierce gust made her Ca
reen; but at last she battled her way
to the wharf.
"What, are you among the watch
ers?" said Phil to Janet.
eve feared you might have come to
harm" she replied.
sYou feared for ?" he questioned,
eagerly and wistfully.
''You, who believe in the duty OF
being selfish, can hardly imagine, l
suppose, that one may feel interested
in the safety of fellow being" she
retorted, turning away from HIM and
leaving him rebuffed and bafiied.
All the next day the rain fell in tor
rents, and the wind ragged. Janet
slept little when night came, for the
dark was full of strange noises.
Toward daylight she arose and went
to the window. As far as the eye
could see the island was covered with
water. 1t had risen level with the
gallery floor, and was gurgling and
gulping under the house. Still the
wind howled and the rain deluged the
earth. A terrified flock OF COWS
stampeded through the water on their
way to the high grounds OF the ridge.