The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-02-16
ON AN ISLAND.

81 might swim for it," suggested
Tucker with the accent of one who
knows the impracticability of what he
"You might fly for it," retorted Nan
Carroll, 'for all the good it would do.
You should have tied the boat"
"You forget" he pleaded" that
only came last night, and have not yet
had opportunity to become familiar
with the tide here. How was to know
that you had regular Bay of Fundy
tide here?"
eff you know as much about geogra-
ply as you do about some things" she
limited darkly, you would know that
this is the Bay of Fundy tide. 1t doesn't
come in tidal wave, but it rises as
high.''
He glanced ruefully at the canoe fast
disappearing on the tide, and scanned
the shore to see if it offered any hope.
Apparently they were as thoroughly
lost as though they were on an island
in the Pacific instead of three miles
from summer resort. 1t was fuckers
first experience with land where they
built steamship docks two stories high
because of the fall of the tide from the
Bay of Fundy, and he had supposed
that when he had drawn the canoe well
up on the shelving bank the long rope
in the bow could not possibly be needed.
He threw himself down beside her.
MAN, DEAR" he cried, Don't take it
to heart. 1t will come out all right if l
have to swim over to the mainland and
steal boat"
She rose in all her five feet five of in
jured dignity. 81 do not see, Mr. Tuck
err" she said coldly, that the situation
should permit the levity you assume. 1t
may be all right for you, but woman's
fair name -" Her sobbing broke forth
afresh at the thought Of what might be
said.
whats the use of taking on so?" he
demanded. you told me last winter
that at the end of the season you
thought -"
do you suppose thought then that
I'd think what think now?" she cried
Historically. DO you suppose that l
imagined that you would abduct me to
a desert island to force me to marry
you? Never"
For want of a better occupation he
searched along the shore for CLANS, find
ing few, but deciding after one taste
that it would be better to look for ber-
rieS. 1t was too late for berries appar-
emily, and there was another pause and
reflection. He had just decided that it
was as we'll that Nan Carroll would not
marry him, when that changeable young
woman pumped herself down upon the
moss beside him.
why don't you talk?" she asked
cheerfully. Its awfully lonesome
around here"
Tucker gasped, but for moment he
did not dare speak. When he found
words it was of casual affairs he spoke,
not of himself, nor of their predica-
ment, and presently they were chatting
as merrily as though there had been
none of the stormy scene of the after
noon.
They were still talking when sudden
ly they heard footsteps behind them
and they sprang to their feet.
Just behind them was a tall clerical
man in blue overalls and checked calico
jumper.
Il hope I don't intrude," he said quis-
lcally.
Are you Man friday" demanded
Nan. "You see we are Mr.. and Mrs.
Robinson Crusoe, and our boat is
wrecked-or at least hope it isl she
amended viciously.
81 am sorry, Mrs. Crusoe," he said,
falling in with her humor. Il am the
Rev. Phillip Hartman of Boston, sum-
mering Oh this island with my family"
Nan gasped. "Why didn't you think
of looking to see if there was any one
living there?" she demanded of Dave.
'You told me it was deserted" he
said defensively, land l supposed you
knew. only came last night" he ad-
ded in explanation to the clergyman.
'Mrs. Crusoe forgot to tell me about
the tide and the boat floated away"
Come over and have tea," suggested
the clergyman, Hospitality, "and have
a boat that will take you back to the
hotel"
He strobe off, leading the way, and
Nan and Dave followed. Once or twice
she hummed softly to herself, and Dave
could have sworn it was the wedding
music from "I4ohengrin" At last, as
he was helping her over rock which
barred her path, she held his hand in
hers as she lightly dropped beside him.
''Dave," she whispered, didn't he say
he was clergyman
Dave nodded. "The Rev. Phillip
Hardman," he replied.
I'VE could fool that gossipping crowd,
we did it on purpose"
More than ever Dave marveled at the
ways of woman, but they were married
before supper, for Dave explained to
the clergyman that he was afraid she
might change her mind again.-George
Winthrop, in San Francisco Call.
The Sunshine of Spring.