New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-30

BY L. PHILLIPS oPPENHEINI.
IN TWO PARTS-PARr II

'Ae Hist rev days almost refreshing in their
complete novelty. She read and slept and
"aiAed-and finally yawned. At the end OF
week she was bored
men the wonderful thing happened. She was
awakened one morning by the sound Of guns
she Jumped out OF bed. and throwing on
dressing gown. stepped on to the piazza.
strange yacht was in the bay; below in a shell
tered spot near the beach. some men were busy
erecIhg couple OF tents. Louise dressed hast
Hy and went outside. Peters was there looking
at the yacht in amazement
what does this mean, Peters?'' she asked
VINO are these people who have landed hereY.
have no idea. ma'am." he answered. ct
was just going down to see"
We will go together" Louise said
On the beach. three or four sailors were busy
erecting a tent Another man was bending over
an oil cooking stove. There were several others
standing about with guns under their arms
Louise stood upon hillock. looking down She
raised her voice and addressed them. Loutses
voice. even when it was raised, was not
terrifying sound. but her few words fell Ike a
oomoshell among the little group.
May 1 ask what you are doing here? You
are perhaps not aware that this island is pri-
vate property2"
dozen faces were turned toward her in
blank amazement. Then several caps were fur
lively raised. A tall. dark man, in tweed shoot
Ing clothes and CATERS. moved step forward
We are really extremely sorry," he said.
we understood that the island was uninhabit-
Gu MT Cufteis. to whom It belongs, believe.
gave US permission to shoot here. We are after
gray geese"
Did Mr.. Curteis know that you were coming
just now?' Louise asked. with a faint smile an
the corners Of her lips
1 must admit that he did not" the spokes-
man OF the party answered. cit was about this
tiiue last year that told him we thought OF
Vachung In these waters. and he gave me per-
mission then to land here at any time I chose
MY name Is Lord Willerton. May ask whom
L have the pleasure OF addressingr'
1 am Mrs. Curteis." Louise answered. IF
my husband gave you permission to come here.
that Is. Of course quite sufficient. have often
heard him speak Of you. Lord wiIlerton Isn't
nativity how do you do. Mr. Hammersly?"
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 recogniz-
ing you for the moment In any OF the usual
haunts OF civilization I don't think there Is ons
OF US here who would not have known you at
once But here-wel It Is amazingr'
Louise smiled upon them all very swestly
I suppose II is rather surprising" she re-
marked. You see. I was a little bored, and ]
am trying the antidote OF complete solitude"
We have come. then. am afraid. to spoil the
cure" Lord Willerton said. with smile. Per
haps. after all. we shall be IN the way. Say the
word, Mrs. Curteis. and we will strike our tents
and pack up"
1T is not" she murmured, "in the least neces-
sary. I think-in fact, I 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?"
wulerton. who had been eying the stove with
some apprehension. breathed sigh OF relief.
MY dear lady" he said. 'Tf you IN earnest
will come with pleasure. But there are i've
OF us"
Il think" Louise answered. with q smile
shat Mrs Peters can find US enough to eat"
She led the way 10 the bungalow. willerton
and Hammersly on either side. Several times
she laughed--quite irrelevantly. Her husbands
scheme was really working out very curiously.
She found herself suddenly taking part IN a
comsdy-a comedy which had in II. too. all the
elements OF graver things.
Curteis himself was suffering from a most pro-
found detection and WEAKNESS OF spirits. Lon
don was empty. his club desert Wherever he
went he carried with him the memory OF that
wan little figure perched so daintily upon the
rock in the midst Of that island OF desolation.
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 indig-
nation Of the last month. He shuddered at the
thought-he who at that moment was hunger
ing for sight of her, the touch OF her fingers.
her lips. the sound OF her voice. In a week the
time which he had fixed would be up. In q week
he would know his fate.
A man came in. bronzed and sunburnt. who
greeted him cheerily. Curteis at that moment
was glad to see anybody.
How ara you. Robertson he said Been up
North?''
The newcomer. who was settling himself down
IN an easychair, shook his head.
Tive been yachting with willerton and Ham
mersly By-the-bye. when 7 left them they
were Just off to some desert island OF yours. up
IN the North Sea somewhere. to shoot gray
geese. Hammersly said you gave them permits
sion last year. should have been there my
self. but my leave was up"
The paper which Curteis had been holding
slipped through his fingers. He leaned a little
forward in his chair. His face was white and
strained.
"How-how long ago-when did you leave
themY"
Tuesday week." Robertson answered. They
were within days steam OF the place then. I
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 seemed unac-
dry.
''Willerton and Hammersly." he said hoarse-
". who else?''
Franks and Appleby. and a chap OF no par
ticular account-Tve forgotten his name" Rob