The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-29

NOtnlnS, SIT, fep!leu SmltnerS, Sa
lutng; but thought | card some
thin moyin at the back there"
Its all right, Smithers," said Ron
aid Mr.. Vane and strolled out fol
Il breath of air. Goodnight
Ronald persuaded Vane to so tc
bed, early as it was.
81 won't turn in just yet" he said
with a sense of guilt and deception
for it went against the grain with
Ronald 20 keep his secret from his
friend. 'l'll take a row"
He rowed over to the island; and
Cara, who had been watching for him,
| came singing softly, to meet him at
the tree. He took her in his arms, and
there was silence for long minute.
as they gazed into each others eyes
with lovers rapture and a lovers
hunger; tnen Ronald whispered
Your father"
81 have come to tell you" she said.
He came home this morning. but he
has gone again. | saw his boat sailing
from Messina. he was not alone; a
man who sometimes helps him with
his fishing was with him. He is a
deaf and dumb man. think that is
why my father likes him and has him
to help him. | suppose they are fish
ing"
They must be- said Ronald
Yes they may be; but you must
not stay, dearest They may come
back when the tide turns and find
you here
"Of course he fingered; but at last
he. tore himself away. He went over
there again the next night and the
flame of their love, fed by these meet
ings, burnt still clarly, more fierce
ly Ronald could scarcely talk of any
thing but their marriage.
"lm an absolute pauper, Cara" he
said; "but-but something may turn
up; in fact-oh. dash it. | cant tell
you. | wish ! could, but I'm under a
promise"
You shall not tell me-" she murmur-
ed, her eyes upturned to him with in
finite trust, with absolute content. Il
can wait
1T will not be long if-if it pans
out right, this-this chance of mine
but, anyway, Cara, whether it comes
right or wrong, you will marry me-"
Yes" she said, blush stealing
over her face If | would say no, +
cannot. | must do what you ask me,
now and forever
The days slipped by; Ronald felt
as if the hours were "A pageant of
dream. The night before the hunt for
the treasure drew on him stealthily. |
and he was perforce compelled to !
think of the treasure and the work
that lay before them on the following
night.
He rowed over to Cara's island in
he evening, and waited at their meet
ng place beside the tree; but Cara
lid not appear. He waited some time
With the impatience which became an
almost intolerable anxiety, as half
IN hour. an hour dragged by. The
Tread that something had happened to
Ter, that she had been taken away
~ that strange and mysterious man,
Ter father, almost drove him mad
lie had hard work to restrain himself
rom going to the house in search of
Ter; but he feared that his presence
here might bring trouble upon her,
nd, for himself he had no particular
esire to be shot; for Caras love had
made his life extremely valuable to
i'm.
After waiting for some time he re-
lctantly left the island, pausng ev-
ry now and then to listen as he
ient TO the beach, and rowed back TO
'ricania The night was exceedingly
ark, but he succeeded in making the
lnding place, and went slowly and
loodily up to the chalet. The sound
f Smithers' tin whistle came to meet
i'm. and the merry air that accom-
lshed individual was playing Jared :
II Ronald's senses. He went into the
itting room and flung himself down ;
I the chair; and Smithers came in ;
resently with the spirit stand.
Have you had a look around?"
onad asked him.
Yes. sir" replied Smithers. All {
ght and quiet, sir It's quite the dark 9
ST night we've had, and I'm thinkin'
nat there's a kind of gale blowing :
p; it's coming right in the winds
ye.'
You're quite the sailor, Smthers,"
onald remarked absently. You'd bet u