Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-07-17

The boat came forward steadily.
The man on the shore Of the little Is
land shaded his eyes with his hand as
IA stared across the shining water.
A frown rested on his sun Drowned
GAcA
A girl was the only occupant Of the
boat and she was pulling at the oars
With a strong and steady swing. She
looked over her shoulder occasionally
and kept the nose of the craft headed
hpward the watcher on the shore.
The watcher, his frown deepening,
suddenly put his hands to his mouth
ard called to her through the impro-
V11ed megaphone.
This is private property" he shout
q. and there was a warning note In
lis clear voice.
The girl looked over her shoulder
End smiled again, but the boat did not
change Its course.
-You must not land here" he
shouted.
The girl gave no indication that she
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brought the boat nearer and nearer.
The man took a few steps forward,
but before he could utter any further
protest the bow Of the craft grated on
ne sands and the girl lightly leaped
cut, drew 1t still further up to the
beach, Then she leaned back against
ne boat and looked at him.
She was a handsome girl, with thick
masses of black hair and a clear olive
complexion and big brown eyes. The
man, despite his near-sighted eyes, the
syes Of the scholar who had read not
wisely, but too well, knew that she
was beautiful, with the added charm
q heaIthful youth, and then something
shout the directness Of the glance she
Enve him vaguely troubled his mind.
He ran his hand through his gray hair,
~ be always did when confronted with
Z bothersome problem, and his frown
grew darker.
~Didn't you hear my warning?" he
asked.
She smiled, but her eyes did not
leave hiR face.
Il heard you calling" she answered.
her voice was very pleasant. The man
ran bis hand through his hair again.
This is private property" he said.
''The island is mine. permit no visit
ors 10 land here"
"And you live here all alone?"
Yes"
They call you the island hermit.
You really are a hermIt?"
Il suppose 1 an"
She raised her rounded brown arm
and pointed 30 the nearby clump OF
reeA
Els that your bungalow"
yes"
Il would like to see it,
He stared at her in surprise.
II have told you that do not well
sOme VISITORS" he said.
She looked away from him and
burned and drew the boat a little high
on the sands.
Il rowed across from Millport," she
aid with a wave OF her hand, lust to
zee you. 1t Is three miles, they say. l
am a little tired and a little hungry"
The man was bothered. He twisted
me corner Of his short gray mustache
Il was another trick that indicated
perplexity.
Il would rather you would go away"
he said.
She shook her pretty head at him.
NO" she told him, ST am quite sure
'ou don't mean that Anyway, can't
90. I'm too tired"
He drew a long breath.
Come" he said
She was by his side as he turned to-
ward the bungalow. She had kept
step with him as they moved along.
Her hatless head came just above his
Rhoulder. How lightly yet how firmly
she walked, what beautiful embodiment
OF grace and strength she was. How
proud a father might be OF such a
daughter. A sudden pain thrilled the
mans heart, q sigh broke from his lips.
Then he felt the tender touch of the
girls fingers on his arm, but when he
turned she was looking away.
you do wrong to come here" he
sharply said.
mo-" she answered. There was