The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-09-17
Subsection OF LOUISE.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

''May l ask what you are doing here =?
You are, perhaps, not aware that this isl
and is private property :?
A dozen faces were turned toward her
in blank amazement. A tall, dark man in
tweed shooting clothes and CATERS moved a
step forward.
''We are really extremely sorry, he
said. eve understood that the island was
uninhabited Mr. Curteis, to wkom it be-
longs, I believe, gave US permission to
shoot here. We are after geese.
''Did Mr.. Curteis, know that you were
coming Just now ?" Louise asked, with a
faint smile at the corners of her lips.
II must admit that he did not, the
spokesman of the party answered. at was
about this time last year that told him
we thought of yachting in these waters,
and he gave me permission then to land
here at any time | choose My name is
Lord Willerton May | ask whom have
the pleasure of addressing p
81 am Mrs. Curtels, Louise answered.
eff my husband gave you permission to
come here, that is, of course, quite sufi
cient. have often heard him speak of
you, Lord Willerton. ''lsn that-why,
how do you do, Mr.. Hammersly p
A tall, fair-haired young man suddenly
started forward with outstretched hand.
"Why, Mrs Curteis, he exclaimed,
''you surely cannot blame any of US for not
recognizing you for the moment! In any
of the usual haunts of civilization don
think there is one of US here who would
not have known you at once. But here
well, it is amazing
Il suppose it is rather surprising, she
remarked You see, [ was little bored,
and | am trying the antidote Of complete
solitude
1--WE have come, then, l am afraid, to
spoil the cure, Lord Willerton said, with
a smile. perhaps, after all, we shall be
in the way. Say the word, Mrs. Curteis,
and we will strike our tents and pack up
lit is not, she murmured, in the
least necessary. think-in fact, am
sure, she added, with smile, that |
am very glad to see you all. Won't you
let that nasty, smelly stove alone, and
come and have breakfast with me ??
Willerton, who had been cycling the
stove with some apprehension, breathed
sigh of relief.
my dear lady, he said, If You are
in earnest, we will come with pleasure.
But there are FIVE of US.
Il think, Louise answered. with
smile, ''that Mrs Peters can find Us
enough TO eat.
She led the way to the bungalow, vii
lerton and Hammersly on either side. Sew
eral times she laughed-quite irrelevantly.
Her husband scheme was really working
out very curiously. She found herself
suddenly taking part in comedy con-
edy which mad in it, too, all the elements
of graver things.
Curteis himself was suffering from a
most profound detection and weakness Of
spirits London was empty, his club
desert Wherever he went, he carried
with him the memory Of that wan little
figure perched 50 daintily upon the rock
in the midst Of that island Of desola,ion
Perhaps, after all, his scheme would
only make things worse She would never
forgive him When the time came for him
TO fetch her, she would pour forth upon
him all the pent-up indignation Of the last
month
He shuddered at the thought-he, who
at that moment was hungerins for sight
Of her, the touch of her fingers, her lips
the sound of her voice In week the
time which he had fixed would be up Ia
a week he would know his fate
A man came in, bronzed aud sunburnt
who greeted him cheerily. Curteis at that
moment was glad TO see anybody
''How are you, Robertson = he said
''Been up north 2
The new conner, who was setting him
self down in an easy chair. shook his head
Eve been yachting with Willerton and
Hammersly By-the-by, when left them.
they were just off TO some desert island Of
yours, up in the North sea somewhere, 10
shsot gray geese Hammersly said YOU
gave them permission last year. | should
have been there myself but my leave vas
up.
The paper which Carteis had been hold
ing slipped through bis fingers. He leaned
little forward in his chair His face was
white and strained
"How-how long ago-when did You
leave them /?
Tuesday week, Robertson answered.
''They were within days steam Of the
place then. l fancy they expected to get
there Wednesday evening. Hammersly
said that he had no idea whether you had
any buildings on the place or not, So they
took tents.
Curteis moistened his lips They seem
ed unaccountably dry.
"Willerton and Hammerly, he said
hoarsely. "Who else p
Frank and Appleby, and chap of no
particular aceount-Ive forgotten his
name, Robertson answered. looking curl
ously over the top of his paper at Curteis,
Rather warm lot. L m not prig, but
| found them just a trife too advanced for
my taste Willerton showed up shocking
ly in that Wardlaw suit, | don't wonder
at his going away somewhere for time.
You Off
Curteis left the room abruptly In the
hall he sent telegram to the captain Of
his yacht Afterward, with shaking fng-
ers, he took down Bradshaw and began
to study it. In an hour he was on his way
north
x
''Let' turn in, Hammersly said, yawn-
ing. sits evidently no good waiting for
Willerton. He's up spooning the little
Curteis woman, and Lord knows what
that Il lead to r
What that p one &C the other men
asked, suddenly sitting up.
The measured beat Of oars came to them
through the darkness A moment later
they heard the scrunching of boat keel
upon the beach. Hammersly pointed to
a light about half mile out
There's a yacht anchored there, he
remarked Unjust have come in since ii
got dark. | wonder who on earth it can
be. hope to God it amt Curteis, he
went on nervously ''Willerton' making
perfect ass of himself with that little wo-