Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-12
ON CRUSOE'S
ISLAND
BY Victor Rousseau

When Carter first opened his eyes
he could not remember anything which
had occurred. He was staring at z
wide expense of sky and sea, cleft by
lonely lighthouse which rose from
the rocks a mile from shore
He looked around him. He was ly
ing on a gravelly beach, near a small
fishing hut. Slowly and with a 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 a 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. Il saw your yacht driven
ashore and hurried over; and then
when 1 saw you lying there"
20, you are the daughter of the
lighthouse keeper" he said
She nodded her head, smiling mis-
chievously. 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.
well, we're not all savages, even in
Maine" 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
1.-The steamer won't call at the light
house for week now, and fathers
over in Portland purchasing stores"
What, are you running the light
house all alone?" he asked, in aston
ishment.
81 am a 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, coffee and a basket of pro
visions.
Now, you must stay to dinner with
me-" he said, gayly.
They cooked their meal and sal
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 a victim to the little god he
had scorned The girl, too, did not
seem averse to him. He noticed that
she grew more serious.
Tomorrow the steamer calls?" he
said
She turned away. Then he saw that
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, I 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. II was hal
a mile to the point; and, turning it, tt
his establishment, he saw before hin
an elegant building bearing the legend
SUMMER HOTEL"
He hurried up the steps and reached
the door just in time to intercept q
girl in white, who struggled in his
arms vainly.
II deceived you," she murmured
I'VE came down here to stay before
the season opened-father and /
and father was called away, and Their
i saw you on the beach and pre-
tended-you were shipwrecked on &
desert island and that's how / got
the soda water-and-oh, are you ever
going to forgive meg"
He laughed as he kissed her.
Fathers coming on the steamer
and l don't know what he'll say tt
you"
"T'll explain everything. May ~
he asked, looking into her eyes.