The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-10-20
5 By g ETA g v: 60 PIERCE: 8

mishap. Steamer, railway and stage
had served her in turn. Now she
had only to find a boat, and ! party
to manage it, and directly she would
be at Deadman's Island.
Mrs. Bumpus!" shouted the
driver, wake up, inside there! I've
brought you a lady"
The door few open and a motherly
figure in a cotton gown and a snow
white apron appeared OF the TIRES
hold.
Hi, vicky!" she called, bring in
her things!" ~whereupon a long-legged
girl, with a Tam-o-Shanter cap
browning her red hair, darted out OF
the house, seized Jacqueline's bag
and umbrella and Jacqueline's per-
son and hustled all into the inn sit
ting-room with breathless speed.
my goodness" cried Vicky, as
she dragged forward a chair and
| slammed it down before the stove.
She's as cold as a fish. I bet she's
come all the way from Bangor, and,
like enough, she amt used to riding
in a stage. Carn't you start up that
fire, Mrs. Bumpus?"
The landlady peered into a box
which appeared to be a receptacle for
wood, and remarked that none had
been cut lately, because Jim was OF
fishing. Vicky shifted and shouted.
where's the axe?" and disappeared
in a neighboring shed. Directly JAG
queline heard swift blows resounding
on a chopping-block, then Vicky re-
entered the sitting-room with arms
full Of shattered driftwood.
Cram it into the stove" she said
to Mrs. Bumpus. Make up a good
rouser! Jim's getting mighty shift
less-his axe is as dull as a shovel.
If I could find a grindstone I'd soon
put an edge on it. He's good for
nothing at chores. He'll have to
mind his eye when he marries. me
I can't stand a man of that make!"
While Jacquelsne removed her
outer garments Vicky stood behind
her chair, and spread her hands in a
dumb show of delight and admiration
"a performance which Jacqueline
plainly discerned from the corner Of
her eye. The girl was a thin, long
limbed creature. She had cast off
her Tam-o'-Shanter, and a mop of red
hair stood up about her head, stiff as
a stable broom. Her shrewd, kindly
face was spotted with freckles; the
nose turned up; the mouth was wide,
but beautiful with two unbroken lines
of milk-white teeth. She was dressed
in a red print gown, and this gar
ment combined with her hair, gave
her the appearance of a walking fire.
brand.
Ever been in these parts afore?"
she said to Jacqueline. mo, I s'pose
not. We don't grow nothing here but
fish-mackerel, mostly. Jim's out
with the feet when there's any catch
he's my beau. You amt a summer
boarder, cause you didn't bring
trunks. Maybe, you're a CONNER
cial female. Last year one Of that
sort came round to git orders for bin
nacle lamps and whistling buoys.
Watchhaven folks don't buy much
but cork and Irvine for the seine nets,
and salt for picking m~ackerel."
Il am not a commercial female!"
she answered. "All 1 want in Watch
haven is a boat, and a man to sail it,"
Boats are plenty here, and men,
too-such as they are!" said Vicky,
but you carn't git either till morn
ing-they're all out fishing. You'll
have to stay at the inn tonight,
which is a good thing, for you look
clean beat out"
Mrs. Bumpus entered with Jacque-
lines supper-smoking chowder,
brown bread, hot from the oven, and
baked Indian pudding, the delicious
secret of which seems known only to
Maine women.
Jacqueline had little appetite. A
depression, born Of fatigue, new sur
roundings and the hazardous enter
prise before her, weighed down the
girls spirits. She kept repeating to
herself:
For Doris sake, I must do this
thing must not be frightened"
Suddenly Vicky spoke:
Say, what do you want with a
boat, Miss-Miss-"
"Hatton," supplemented Jacque-
line. Il am on my way to Deadman's
Island, which lies ten miles off the
coast, I understand. Naturally, I
must sail, or row there"
Mrs. Bumpus and Vicky exchanged
glances of CONSERVATION.
My goodness, MISS" said Vicky,
in a startled voice, whatever can be
taking you to Deadman's?"
Il wish to see its owner, Mr.. Philip
Trevor"
But Mr.. Trevor never receives Wis
itors, Miss-I'm giving you the story
straight, for I'm"-she SHE'D at the
word servant, so obnoxious to the
genuine Yankee-"I'm held over at
Deadman's."
You live there?"
"Yes-in Mr.. Trevor's house. This
is my day and night off. Mr.. Ire
vor's skipper brought me to Watch
haven at noon-to-morrow he'll come
at the same hour to take me back to
the island"
"Oh, you will let me so with you?"
said Ja~cqueline, breathlessly.
II carn't, miss! Skipper joe
wouldn't have you in the boat-mucl.
less permit you to set foot on the pier.