The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-24
& all the absurd proceedings.
Dick" the woman said, yawn-
Ing, II think TINT this is abso-
lutciy the mnddcst l ever heard

8Xu iutey the mnddest ! ever heard
or. For Heavens sake, be reasonable
and tell me why YOU have dragged me
out OF bed before sunrise to bring me to
s this scene OF desolation.'
The man shipped his oars, and, jump"
ing from the boat, pulled itup on to the
beach. Then he held out his hand to tho
woman.
.'1f you will allow me-" lie said, d'iiet-
Isl, ~ think That you can land now WITH
out wctting your feet"
x "But why on earth should l land at
all?' she asked. impat lently. why
(. have YOU brought me TO this wilderness
OF d place? DO you expect me TO play
Man Friday to your Robinson CriisocI
He held out his hand again--a llttle
ahsistcntly.
with your permission he said, y
will offer you an explanation when you
are landed. / do not think that sca
bath would be ntogether-'
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 immersion which
seemed imminent. He secured the boat
and quietly lit cigarette.
1--WE will sit here" he said, notion
ing her to fiat rock. and. contrary to
her custom, she obeyed.
'.Well?" she asked.
He regarded her stendfastly. lie was
n TALL loosely built man, fair, but with
a strong face. and deep-set. gray eyes.
The woman was petite, pluuant, and ee-
giant. She had dark eyes. fair hair. and
bewitching mouth.
She wore her clothes as everyone said
that none but Mrs. Earle Curteis could
wear them. The fact that they We're
husband and wife was sometimes over
looked.
have taken the liberty Of bringing
you here" he said, in order to secure
an undisturbed tetc-a-te with you. On
board the yacht. as you maNf have no.
ticed. this is somewhat n difficult af.
fair"
4 "Realy," she murmured. you might
have been more considerable. YOU could
have had all tho conversation YOU want
ed without dragging mo out OF bed at g.
o clock In the morning"
II doubt It," he answered cody. 1.-THE
hour after breakfast belongs, believe.
to Mai. Duncan. Then there is your
Eamo of Switchboard with Ellison, with
which l believe nothing is allowed to
interfere; and Forsyth is invariably
waiting To- claim you afterward. After
lunch Duncan, I believe, reads to YOU
20. that will do" she interrupted,
looking at him curously. You desired
a tcte-a-tete with me, and you have Sc
cured II in a somewhat original man
ner. am waiting to hear what you
have to say"
Very we'll" he said You shall hear.
We have been married five years.
think, Louise"
What memory she murmured.
From the third day of our honey
moon until to-day" lie continued. cool
ly, II have apparently shared your so.
ciety-that u.s. If can be said to have
shared 1t at all--witl, a long array of
admirers. IN whose number there may
have been safety, but whose continual
presence you must forgive mo If I have
found q little bcwilderlng. Your cava-
Tiers have been legion-the fact that you
have q husband at all is a fact which
think many of our friends are sometimes
inclined to forget. Don't misunderstood
ME. l make no serious charge against
you. Only. ] am wcary-weary to death
of seeing you day after day monopolized
by whatever goodooking or interesting
man may be around"
She looked at him with faint smile.
After all. this promised to be little in
terestng.
You are--jealous?" I
IIe looked steadily Mt the yacht moored
little way out In the bay.
We'll" he said perhaps I am. At
any rate, have brought you here to ex.
plain exactly how feel, and to ask You
whether you are disposed to make n clean
sweep of the whole thing. I am weary
of seeing other men hang over your
chair and offer you the attentions of
lover. l propose 10 land them all at
tnk oil
do you agreo?"
my dear man." she exclaimed, you
are Joking"
II was never" he assured her, ''more
in earnest in my life"
you mean .tt--seriausly?"
Subject TO your consent. mean It
scriously."
"It is absurd" she answered. Eve
should be bored to deatl--both of u.s."
For moment he seemed to vince but
fle recovered himself almost immedlatc-
~
"Ah!" he said, there is always that
possibility, OF course Nevertheless.
Louise" he continued, turning slowly to-
wards her. Il feel that have played
the part of complaisant husband. long
enough am sick OF your affairs and
your followers. ] propose to end 1t.
She laughed softly, yet n little un-
easily. There was II look on her hus-
bands face which was new to her.
She studied him for moment Really.
he was almost good looking. a certain
amount of grimness became him. She
smoothed her skirts over her knees, and.
suddenly looking UP, laughed In his face.
And how" she asked, do you pro-
pose TO accomplish the miracle"
Stand up" he said. II want to show
non something"
She arose TO her feet. and her eyes fol-
lowed his outstretched forcfnger, On
The slope of n slight emnence was a
long. onestory house. built of wood
and with verandah thrown out towards
The sea.
why, ] thought that the place WINS
nninhabted!" she exclaimed.
1T is" he answered, Save for the
man and woman who look after that
shanty for me"
For you?"
For me, should explain that the is
land belongs 10 me. | bought 1t for a
mere song a few years ago for the sake
OF the soa-blrd shooting, | used to come |
here sometimes before We were mar
ried."
'Indecd she remarked 81 had no