New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-29

solutely the maddAst 1 ever heard OF. For
heavens sake. he reasonable. and tell me why
you nave dragged me out OF bed before sunrise
10 bring me TO this scene OF desolatiOn."
The man shipped his oars. and. jumping from
the boat. pulled it up on to the beach. Then he
held out his hand to the woman. IF you will
allow me- he said quietly. Il think that you
can land now without wetting your feet"
But why on earth should I land at ALP she
asked impatiently. Why have you brought
TO this wilderness Of place. Do you expect me
to play Man Friday to your Robinson Crusoe?''
He held out his hand again-a little insistently.
With your permission he said, Il will offer
you an explanation when you are landed
do not think that a sea bath would be alto
gether"-
She jumped lightly out-a very dainty person.
indeed. and not at all inclined to spoil her white
flannel dress and trim patent shoes by the i'm
mersion which seemed imminent He secured
the boat and quietly lit cigarette.
I'VE will sit here" he said mOtiOning her TO a
fiat rock. and. contrary to her custom. she
obeyed.
''Weu?" she asked
He regarded her steadfastIy He was tall
loosely built man. fair. but with a strong face
and deep set gray eyes. The woman was petite
piquant and elegant She had dark eyes. fair
hair and a bewitching mouth She wore her
clothes as every one said that none but Mrs
Earle Curteis could wear them. The fact that
they were husband and wife was sometimes
overlooked.
7 have taken the liberty of bringing you
here" he said. 'in order to secure an undis-
turbed tete-a-tete with you. On board the yacht
as you may have noticed, that is somewhat a
difficult affair"
Really" she murmured, "you might have
been more considerate. You could have had
all the conversation you wanted without drag
ging me out of bed at o'clock I'm the morning"
7 doubt it, he answered. coOlly. "The hour
after breakfast belongs. I believe. to Major
Duncan Then there is your game of shuttle
board with Ellison. with which, believe. moth
ing is allowed to interfere. and Forsyth is IN
variably waiting to claim you directly after
ward. After luncheon. Duncan. believe. reads
to you"-
"Oh. that will dol" she interrupted. looking
at him curiously. ''You desire a tete-a-tets
with me. and you have secured it in a somewhat
original manner. I am waiting TO hear what
you have to say"
He nodded slowly.
Very WELL" he said. you shall hear. We
have been married five years. think. Louise"
What u memoryr' she murmured-
From the third day OF our honeymoon until
to-day he continued. cOolly. Il have aDpar-
entity shared your society-this Is. II I be
said 20 have shared II at aI-with a long array
Of admirers IN whose number there may have
been safety but whose continual presence you
must forgive me II have found a little eewil-
dering. Your cavaliers have been legion-the
fact that you have a husband at all Is a fact
which I think many OF our friends are some
times inclined TO forget. Don't misunderstood
oI,o inst
Only, am weary-weary to death Of seeing
YOU day after day monopolized by whatever
good looking or interesting man may bs
around
She looked at him with faint smile After
all this pron1ised to be a little interesting.
You are-jealOusT'
We looked steadily az the yacht noorsd q lit
tie way out IN the bay.
well" he said, perhaps am At any rate.
I have brought you here to explain exactly how
7 feel. and TO ask you whether you are DIS
posed to make clean sweep OF the whole thins-
I am weary Of seeing other men hang over your
chair ard offer you the attentions Of a lover. I
propose 20 land them all at Newton and take
YOU for a cruise alone. DO you agree?'
.sNrv dear man." she exclaimed, you are 1ok-
ing!"
.I was never" he assured her. more IN
earnest IN my life"
you mean it-seriously2-
Subject to your consent mean it seriously
TT is absurd" she answered We should
be bored to death-both Of US
For a moment he seemed 90 vince but ne
recovered himself almost immediately his tone
was a shade colder. perhaps certain almost
imperceptibIe nervousness had passed from his
manner.
"Ah!'' he said, there Is always that possi-
bility. OF course Nevertheless. Louise" ne con-
tinued. turning slowly toward her, / feel that
7 have played the part Of complaisant husband
long enough. I am sick Of your affairs and your
followers. propose 70 end II"
She laughed softly. yet a little uneasily' There
was a look on her husbands face which was
new to her. She studied him for a moment
really. he was almost good looking. 4 certain
amount OF erimness became him She smoothed
her skirts over her knees. and. suddenly looking
up laughed in his face.
And how" she asked. do you propose to ao-
colnplish the miracleT
stand up" he said Il want to show you
something"
She rose 10 her feet and her eyes followed his
outstretchsd forehnger. On the slope OF a slight
eminence was a long. one story house. built Of
wood. and with veranda thrown out toward
the
why. thought that the place was uninhao-
itedP' she exclaimed.
..It is" he answered, save for the man and
woman who look after that shanty for me-
For your
For me- I should explain that tho island
belongs TO me- bought it for mere song a |
few years ago for the sake OF the sea bird shoot
Ing used to come here sometimes before We |
were married"
..IndeedP' she remarked Il had no idea that |
your possessions were extensive"
.aThe place IS a stony waste" he said. 1T |