Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-05
ON CRUsoE'S
ISLAND
BY Victor Roueeeau

Wlue expense OF SKY ana sea, cleIt Dy
lonely lighthouse which rose from.
tho rocks milo from shore.
lie looked around him. He was ly.
Ing on gravelly beach. near q small
fishing hut. Slowly and with Il pain,
ful effort lie sat up. Then he saw the
wreck OF his schooner upon the sands
and remembered.
20, dear. are you feeling better
new?" exclaimed girls voice behind
him.
He turned his head painfully a
beautiful face was looking into his
with grave concern.
Drink this and you will feel
stronger" said the girl.
She held out tumbler containing
whisky and soda water.
20, am so glad you are not dead"
she, cried. 81 saw your yacht driven
ashore and hurried over: and then,
when saw you lying there"
20, you are the daughter OF the
lighthouse Keeper" no said
She nodded her head. smiling mis-.
chlevously. Carter stared at her In
establishment. With her neat fashion.
able dress and little tan shoes. she
might have stepped ont OF fashion.
able summer hotel
We'll. we're not all savages, even In
Maine" she said. blushing beneath
his gaze.
She hsld out her hand. and with an
effort he got onto his feet
NO bones broken. l guess" he said.
Let us look at the schooner"
But he had hardly moved step be.
fore his foot gave way. The ankle
was badly sprained.
How win you get homer" she said.
THE steamer won't call at the light.
house for week now. ind fathers
over In Portland purchasing stores"
What. are you running the light.
house all alone?" no asked in aston.
ishment.
Il am sailors daughter" she said.
But what Will you do? You must
mako yourself comfortable In this
fishing hut TIL the steamer comes, and
Ill bring you food every day"
in this unconventional manner Car
ter became q hermit upon the rocky
island. His ankle palned him too much
To permit him to explore the interior:
II seemed one OF those numerous
small islands off the coast frequented
In season by fishermen. The next
morning the girl appeared with fresh
bread. coffee and a basket OF pro.
visions.
Now. you must stay to dinner with
me-" he said, gayly.
They cooked their meal and sat
down together 1t WAS growing dark
before she stepped into the dinghy
and rowed away.
The next day and the next day they
spent together. And now for the first
time Carter. confirmed bachelor. be.
gan to fall victim to the little god he
had scorned. The girl. too. did not
seem nverse to him. He noticed that
she grew more serious.
Tomorrow the steamer calls" ne
said.
She turned away Then he saw that
her eyes were full OF tears. He took
hor hand in his.
Dear" he said. do you think you
could grow to caro- for me?"
20. have deceived YOU" she said
impetuously. But for all HIS urging
she would say no more.
you Will come tomorrow to give
me your answer?"
Il will meet you ut the point OF the
Island there" she answered, as she
tore herself away.
The next morning. before the steam.
er's arrival Carter for the first time
walked along the beach. 1t Was half
n mile to the point: and, turning It. to
his astonishment. he saw before him
an elegant building bearing the legend
SUMMER HOTEL
He hurried up the steps and reached
the door just in time to intercept a
grl In white, who struggled In his
arms vainly.
Il deceived YOU" she murmured
We came down here 10 stay before
the season opened-father and l.
and father WAS called away. and then
i saw you on tho beach and pre-
tended--you were shipwrecked ON g
desert island-and that's how I got
the soda water-and-oh, are you ever
going to forgive me?"
lie laughed as he kissed her.
Fathers coming on tho steamer
and don't know what heIl say to
you"
IN explain everything. May I?'
he asked, looking into her eyes.
She blushed and nodded.