The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-08-27


They're watching the house closely,
Mr.. Felix" he said 1T was ali 1 could
do to get down to the river without their
following"
The canoe had brought us hot coffee,
eggs and rolls. We breakfasted in state
in the cabin, with Charles to wait upon
us. He had little news, beyond the fact
that the pines were patrOlled by a num-
Der of men.
After breakfast we passed the time as
best we could, but the morning went
slowly, and we were glad when lunch was
ready. This was a meagre meal, made
up Of the scraps of the provisions Bar
bara had brought us. l told Charles that
l preferred to have him stay with as, as
there was no telling when we should
need every able-bodied man we could find,
and so he brought the canoe on board,
slowed her on the after-decx, and devoted
himself to the small duties on his new
housekeeping.
Duponceau and Islip had slept little the
night before, and shortly after lunch they
took up their hunks to nap. l was on
guard on the forward deck when 1 heard
voice call, ship ahop!" and looked up
to see Barbara on the cliff.
l called to Charles to take, my place
for a few moments and sailed forth to
shore. Barbara joined me at the foot
of the headland.
"Well? she asked eagerly.
l told her the adventures Of the pre-
vious night, and when l came to the ear
ly morning swim her eyes danced as she
| clapped her hands with delight. "Oh, I
wish had been out there with you - she
cried. ''Pve always wanted to try a swim
| in the dark"
Its just as well you weren't" 1 an
swered sagely.
She looked somewhat longingly out to
sea. What a beautiful afternoon And
are the rest of the crew working?"
THE rest of the crew are sleeping.
They had too much coffee for dinner last
night and it kept them awake"
"And what is Charles doiny?"
l pointed to the deck. Hes on guard.
That's the reason Pm here"
"Oh, that's it, is it? l thought you
came to see me-"
| "And so l did. Suppose we sit here at
the foot Of the cliff, where we can look
out to sea and can't be seen. There's q
little nook l know Of"
| l found the place that I sought Sc
cret crevice in the rocks-and there we
sat and watched the tide do its best to
reach us as it bounded landward. The
afternoon drifted past, and we, borne on
| its tranquility, were now laxative, now
silent. Barbara rolled her sleeves above
her elbows and played with the water in
little POOL beside our ledge of rocks.
Her dreaming eyes brooded over the
ocean. l watched her, tried to turn my
eyes seward, felt the irresistible call, and
came back to watching her. TIE time
had come when l could think only the
enc thought
The sun was low. Barbara was hum
ming little French song. The whole
world was adorable.
Barbara, l love you J"
The words were out, spoken without
volition, all of themselves.
She looked up: her singing stopped
and the deep blush-rose crept into her
face. while her eyes shrank.
Barbara, 1 love you. l have loved you
since l first found you on the Ship, and
I shall go on loving you until l die. l
can't help it; it's not only conscious, it's
partly unconscious; it's just you calling
to me. Barbara dear, you are all my
hope in the world. You are the world.
| Will you marry me?"
| l was leaning forward. thinking only
of that sweet, that infinitely sweet face
opposite.
She smiled, her eyes turning to watch
| ho I ifoh
her answer.
81 haven't known you very long" she
added. her voice low; 'and what do you
know of me?"
Everything All could ever know
that you are the one woman in the
world"
SBut it's summer. and it's easy to say
| such things in summer. It's all part of
the setting. l told you once you were a
dreamer. Drea mers are apt to romance,
and that is probably why you are now in
love with the waves and the sunshine and
with me-" The last words were just a
whisper. She raised her eyes to mine for
a feeting second, then dropped her lashes.
believe me. Barbara. it's not that: it's
the truth-the truest thing in the world. /"
She played with the water in the pool
at her side.
II like you--but, then, like many.
There's Rodney 1 like also. Perhaps
like you better because l have never seen
you in town, nor anywhere but in your
chosen country. But L can't forget that
there are other treasures in The sell
how can you be sure you won't come up
on another and a finer? Then, too,
like men who do things, men who fight
and win out-and SO you see,' she fin
ished, with a slight smile, Its not that
l like any one in particular less, but the
infinite possibilities more"
Then" said stubborniy, Il will wait
and prove my meaning 10 you.'
She raised her eyes frankly to mine 81
like that she said.
After a time we walked back to her
path and said good-by. Tba beach was
empty. Islip was sitting on the Ships
deck, and Barbara waved to aim and he
| waved back. l felt sorry for him, some
! how, for now l knew what he must feel
: No wonder he couldn't go back to his be
loved Wall Street.