The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-10-19

Shelter Island is feast for the
eyes at all seasons Of the year, but in
the month of May it is the fairest
spot on Long Island; then it is N the
1rst glory of its brilliant verdue and
the soft blue sky above and its blue
reflection In the water below presents
q picture Of such exquisite beauty and
repose that few brushes could do it
Justice on canvas. At Prospect, fac
dng the bay, stands Queen Anne cot
fage with many hanging balconies,
and standing on the most eerie one
are two young women, OF the nine
teenth century ultra-fashionablet type;
the smart cut of their cloth frocks
suggests Redfern, and their fine
bearing and conscious worth the
thoroughbred. 1t is about ten o'clock.
Its all very lovely and peaceful
and serene, Lily" says the younger
Of the two girls. with a little weary
sigh. But like it better in Aug
ust. when the bay is thick with yachts
and rowboats; in fact, to be sincere
with you, 1t has about as festive an
appearance now as the Desert of Sa-
hara, and think we were downright
daft to leave town SO early this sea-
son."
Il am really sorry for you. Bertha"
replies the other, with an amused
look in her fine eyes. Let us give
the Pixie her first sail this season;
sho viii help to liven up the bay for
you"
The grieved look In Berthas eyes
gives way to radiant delight at her
sisters proposition, and in gay spir-
its they leave the balcony and are
soon on the pier In their white fan
mel yachting suits and tarpaulin hats
of the jaunty sailor cut.
Lilly is the skipper. and Bertha the
deck hand-as her sister calls her
her duty aboard ship being to tend
the center.boarG, hold the sheet rope
when occasion demands, shift the bal
lass, and make herself generally uas-
fsi.
There is scarcely ripple on the
bay, and the half dozen filmy clouds
have now lost themselves in the blue
ether.
The breeze is steady and gentle:
the girls keep up rafting chatter at
first, but the utter peace and quiet
seems to have a subdued effect, and
so,a the only sound heard Is that OF
the water as the Pixies" sharp bow
softly cuts through it.
They sail on, but 1t is not long be-
fore the sail trembles and the eddy
that closes behind the boat is hardly
perceptible. Bertha" says Lily, at
last. I'VE are going to be becalmed;
there is scarcely breath of air."
Don't mention anything SO mon
strous!" cried Bertha, dropping the
book she had been reading and now
fully alive to the situation. I'VE shall
simply broil standing still in this hot
sun. Why, there's Robins island;
cannot we make it before the wind
goes altogether"
mot unless we row; and even then
/ am sure you viii not care to land
there"
I'VE may as well row to the island.
after ALL" says Lily, presently, look
ing wistfully at the trees. There are
probably no men there as early as
this, and we can rest in the shade
until the wind comes up"
so they took the hrass-tipped oars
and roved toward the shore. 1t looks
very cool and inviting
Robins island is owned by a club
Of New York men, and Is hunting
ground, there being on it fine pre-.
serves Of quail. etc.
This IL almost an adventure, y
pants Bertha, as she removes her hat
and brushes her damp bang on her
forehead.
"Hush," suddenly cries Bertha,
holding up a warning finger to her
sister. who sits some distance from
her, with her head leaning against the
trunk Of tree. She listens intently,
turning her head pertly on one side
IKE bird, and then says, in stage
whisper: Would not it be too un.
utterably terrible, If there should be
any men here, Lily? am sure
heard something like footsteps way
back in the woods"
.'Your imagination is too active Tor
comfort, Bertha; If you did hear any
thing, 1t was probably rabbit; these
tall bushes are an effective screen for
us, even II any genus. homo should
be abroad, which is unlikely. Now
please do not speak to me for ten
minutes; / am too tired to even
think" she closes her eyes and Der.
tina creeps over to her and rests her
head In her lap.
There IL q crashing In the bushes
not far from the girls, who have been
rudely startled from their short nap
and they look with blanched faces tn