Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-12-18

only too apt, taking the facts In con
junction with my mysterious ride to the
club In the evening, to believe had
dreamed II ALL What would a schooner's
crew be doing on our lonely beach In
the height of a midnight Storm A sec
sibe man would naturally be inclined to
doubt
settled down to work, and, shutting
my mind both TO the mystery and to Miss
Graham, succeeded In getting a good deal
done By night. The next day l passed in
similar fashion, living in quiet comfort
30 long as the storm lasted.
The third day broke fair, and early In
the morning swept the sea and the
beach with my binoculars. Never were
sea and land more peaceful the tempest
appeared to have cleared the atmosphere
and brought 1t to a new serenity. My
work accomplished, set out for the little
river to thu west OF the cliff, to see how
my catboat had weathered the gale.
found there WAS some bailing to be done,
and then, called by a gentle breeze, l ran
up sail and for an hour beat up the chan
mel The hot sun Of noon sent me home,
and 1 sat down to my midday dinner.
Charles had brought me papers and
note from the club. / ran through the
papers first, to prove to myself how little
l cared for the note. but at last l broke
its seal.
II am going to hold you to your invita-
ton for supper in the Ship now that the
storm Is over. May we have 1t to-day
about 81"
That was all, without even a sigma
ture-
was In two minds as to what to do,
I could not disappont her without seem
Ing more than churllsh, without writing
tleman, and yet the sight Of her note
reused much of my sleeping resentment
II went, / would at least show her that
two could play at her game.
visited the larder and decided on q
menu. Then l startled Charles half out
Of his senses, though to his credit be II
said he never showed II. you will pack
these things"-I pointed out certain pro
visions-"in the wheelbarrow, and take
them on to the Ship on the beach. You
will also take the folding-tabls from my
study, and two folding-chairs, and set
the table ON the deck. I am roing to
take supper there with lady at 9. You
can leave the iced tea In bottle. Have
the supper ready at a quarter before the
hour, and then leave. We will not re-
quire any service
yes, Mr.. Felix" said Charles, sodate-
ly. l frowned as though the whole pro
ceeding bored me, and returned to my
work.
AS half past l dressed carefully and
left the house. AS l walked up the beach
I could not help but contrast this sunny
scene with the night Of the storm. What
ever that night had brought to Alastair
II was clear I was not to know much
about II.
waited on the shore until Miss Ora
han appeared, and crossed the path with
her to the Ship. pulled the short rope
ladder over the side and helped her on
board. We beheld supper table immac-
ulately set, and places for two.
Miss Graham was delighted and
could not help relenting a little when
saw how very pleased she was More
over, l was the host, and she my guest
and l could not cast a shadow over my
own feast l tried, therefore, as best
could, to forget Islip and the locket. and
to think only OF what a beautiful late
afternoon II was, of how fresh the smell
Of the sea came to the old Ships decks
and Of the beauty Of the girl who sat
across from me. l think she detected
that at first l was making an effort, and
30 tried to help me, for she was very
lively and laxative, making much sport
OF the supper, all the courses of which
were spread before us at once, ard OF
our having to wait upon ourselves.
When we had finished supper, l asked
Miss Graham's permission to light Gig
arctic, and pushed my chair a little back
from the table. There was a new moon
In the sky, and pointed 1t out to her.
",rhs is the finest hour of the day."
l said. IF only the Ship would up an
Choir and take us for sail !"
"If your pirate doesn't come now, Just
after supper, with crescent moon hang
ing right side up, l don't believe he ever
WILL" put In the girl pensively.
Her playful words combined with the
ingenious voice and the far-away, child
like dreaming of her eyes, aroused some
thing Of my old resentment Almost be-
fore l knew what l was doing l had fall
len a victim to an impulsive temptation,
and was leaning on the table with my
eyes fixed on her.
Ito be continued.)