The bee., 1908-06-04
ON CRUSOE'S
ISLAND
by Victor Rousseau

he could not remember anything which
had occurred. He was staring at a
wide expense Of sky and sea, cleft by
lonely lighthouse which rose from
the rocks mile from shore.
He looked around him. He was ~
ing on a gravelly beach, near a small
fishing hut. Slowly and with pain
full effort he 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 a 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,
wien saw you lying there"
20, you are the daughter OF the
lighthouse KEEPER he said.
She nodded her head, smiling mis-
obviously. Carter stared at her in
establishment. With her neat fashion
able dress and little tan shoes, she
might have stepped out Of fashion
able summer hotel.
We'll, we're not all savages, even in
Name" she said, blushing beneath
his gaze.
She held out her hand, and with an
effort he got onto his feet
mo bones broken, guess" he said.
Let us look at the schooner"
But he had hardly moved a step be-
fore his foot gave way. The ankle
was badly sprained.
How will you get homer" she said.
The steamer won't call at the light
house for a week now, and fathers
over in Portland purchasing stores"
What, are you running the light
house all Alone?" he asked, in aston
ishment.
Il am sailors daughter" she said.
But what will you do? You must
make yourself comfortable in this
fishing hut till the steamer comes, and
I'll bring you food every day"
In this unconventional manner Car
ter became a hermit upon the rocky
island, His ankle panied him too much
to permit him to explore the interior,
It seemed one of those numerous
small islands off the coast freQuented
in season by fishermen. The next
morning. the girl appeared with fresh
bread, stdffee fandsia sbasket Of pro-
visions. 3E
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 scoTRed The EirEstoo, did not
seem aXerael tet him. He noticed that
she grew more serious. vje
Tomorrow the steamer calls?" he
said.
She turned away. Then he saw thai
her eyes were full of tears. He took
her hand In his.
Dear" he said, do you think you
could grow to care for me?"
20, l 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 at 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
mile to the point; and, turning 1t, to
his establishment, he saw before him
IN elegant building bearing the legend;
SUMMER HOTEL"
He hurried up the steps and reached
the door just in time to intercept a
girl in white. who struggled in his
arms Yainly.
IL deceived you" she murmured.
We came down here to stay before
the season opened-father and L
and father was called away. and then
4 saw you on the beach and pre-
tended-you were shipwrecked on a
desert standard that's how l got
the soda water~and-oh, are you ever
going TO forgive me?"
He laughed as he kissed her
Fathers coming on the steamer,
and ! don't know what he'll say to
you"
"I'u exDlain ayerVthinR Nav ~"