The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-28
Copyright. 1909, by George II. ooran
Company
CHAPTER XVIII.
The AvoWaI.

With a lovers impatience, Ronald
started for Cara's island much ear
lier than was necessary and he
rested on his oars in the bay until
the moon had risen above the hill;
then he pulled in softly and lay
down at the foot OF the tree to
wait.
The minutes. which seemed hours,
slid slowly by, but Cara did not
come. and after awhile he grew ap.
prehensive. Had she been prevented
perhaps by her fathers return
rad she repented her halfgiyen
promise. and decided not to come?
The fever OF doubt, OF longing, oil
impatience. was torturing him when,
quite noiselessly, she came round
the tree.
He was about to spring to his feet,
with her name on his lips, but she
stretched out her hand Warningly
and whispered:
DO not rise! You may be seen. ~
With the natural fearlessness
which was one of her charms for
him. she slid gracefully to the
ground beside him. her eyes search
ing the bay and the open sea.
What is it?" he asked, not very
curiously. for he was absorbed in
gazing AT her.
She turned her eyes TO him grave
~.
There is boat near the island, y
she said.
Your father? I'm glad. l should
like to see him; | want to-
Il do not know 1t was too far
OFF for me to tell and it kept in
the shadows I saw it as | was com
ing across the island. At first
thought it was yours, Cor the row
,ocks We're muffled; but ] caught
glimpse of it for a moment, and
| knew it was not yours
Some fisherman?' he suggested;
but she shook her head,
NO; ne would be farther out in
the bay"
1T may he one of our men-the
mate. the captain, from the yacht,
he said, after moments thought.
1T is fine night and some of
them may be taking a row
ut was not a ships boat she
said; 1T was a Sicilian. I could tell
by the shape
And hanging about the island
where you are alone, or as good as
alone" said Ronald. That makes
me anxious
/ There is no need to be" she
said, not disputing his right, he
/ noticed with thrill to be anxious
on heY account. There is nothing fol
| him to steal; and no man who knows
my father would dare to steal it, Il
there were. have b. b'ought the
books. have not read them all
there was not time; but YOU viii
take them back, and not bring an!
more, or come again
She still spoke in a low voice
and there was a note of sadness il
it which made his heart leap.
'If YOU say so, of course" he said
but think you are very cruel, Mis-
Cara"
Cruel" she raised her eyes L
his with surprise; then the lids swep
over her own, and the oclo- rose t,
ner face.
Yes. he said, you know how mucl
want TO come. But, of course, yoI
don't; how should you? You don
know that ever since that night OF
the moor have thought of you
that since / found you on this isl
and here I've never had you ou
OF my mind
She mised her eyes again, AM
looked at MIN with a faint won
der. doubt, and something else il
them hard TO describe; it may hay'
been fear if one could associate fea
with her.
"Oh, don't you know; can't yo-
guess. Cara?" he whispered. leaning
towards her and taking the han,
that lay on her lap; and his voic,
was thick and shook a little. 70
his heart was throobing with low
and the dread lest sne should ris