The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-03
CASTAWAYS

I've got to tow some barges up the river to-mor
to-day" a" s"' %" u
The little tug boat ploughed through water that was
as smooth as a mirror. Captain Green. al the wheel
There amt much to see on the island" he OBJ
It's the historical interest" Helen Brewster told
MN, somebody said that in the early DAYS of the
And It's there yet" ID.
The captain laughed. II guess every inch of tina,
island has been dug up and nobody amt ever founo
Well. it's fun to see the place and dream of wha,
we might do if we should find it"
The young man looked at her gloomily. "You
are always thinking OF what We would do if We hao
SO that the captain did not catch her words,
Are you going to STAY, he asked as they neared
me come back for them.
"Youu ind an old lady up there in a little house"
the captain told them. She keeps milk and ginger
With this promise for future refreshments. his pas
sensers decided to stay over. What time will you
About 5 o'clock" With a snort and much putting
The island was a piece Of pines and rocks and lone
illness; They hunted for the little house. and feana
knoeker told them that she would not be back until
Would it be stealing" Kirk questioned. IF we
broke In and took what we wanted and left the money
Wen starve if we don't" was Helen's answer.
they found eggs and bread. spice cake and buttermilk.
IF you build a fire I'll make you an omelet," said
III we could find the gold" Helen said, what n
wondt VI thing it would be! Think what we could do
Again her lover looked gloomy. The gold Of this
U w,re ! should heas be % c ms' ente q t % live T the stmpl as ,i ts
Helen. 1t would be love in a cottage. but 1t wouio
of course Her eyes flashed. You always take
me so seriously. Kirk"
can never forget that you gave up the prospect of
riches when you consented to marry me, Helen
81 a I'm nOthfnUp
But you love beautiful thinss-l am afraid that
my poverty will bring you unhappiness."
1t was an old argument out Of which had come
many disagreement And now it degenerated into Il
taliated that it was not distrust but lack of conf
dence in his ability to make her happy,
A quarrel is never a pleasant thing, but it reaches
tho climax of the unpleasant when TWO persons are
in a place where they cannot get away from each
other. and where there is no one to relieve the strain
OF the situation Tn captain had said that he could
beach and watch for the boat. Helen agreed, ana
they went, knowing well their watch would extend
The bay was rurtied by waves that we're tipped with
clouds.
Helen shivered. II wish the aptain would come, 3"
III you are cold you may have my coat" Kinks
Helen refused. but presently as the storm in
creased. suggested that they go back to the house-
pines bent and moaned and the birds swooped In
Within the little house the air was damp and cold
Kirk lighted the logs in the fireplace, and Helen,
warmed by the glow, offered oVertures or peace.
How silly We are TO get angry over a niue th,nK
But Kirk could not shake oft the depression that
anything that I can give you"
The compliment did not please her. You think
l am just a pusss~eat girl made Tor a warm hear'h-
Once more they stormed at each other. while an
the midst of a tempest which drove the waves high
a fear which had been in both tnetr hearts. WIN
the captain be able TO get here"
She was answered by the rafting or the door
He has come" Kirk said joyiuHy. and went to
A little woman stood there. bent and old. She
had a heavy basket on one arm, and a bundle under
wen, yoa made yourselves to home" she said cor
daily. IT'S an awful night.
The anptain brought me" she said, and ne told
me to tell you all that you had better spend the night
here. He was afraid he would have trouble gs.u's
SO We are castaways.~ Kirk murmured
are not" Helen said.
Kirk flashed a surprised glance at her. Il thought
when we came over here to-day" Helen told the
old lady. Il expected to marry him in a year-now /
shal! never I'm NARY arr IN him ma lady exclaimed lyon have
been quarreling."
He thinks i care only for money Helen ex-
planned. He underestimate me. And | won't marry
a man who thinks l am just made for luxury"
a,t nws tia, yG ~, 's tsal i ssu m som mshf 70" IN, + cup oid Of lad iya s ana
After a hearty supper the three sat once more in
You see. / live here alone" the little old lady told
them. and folks wonder. But ] have memories to
live WITT ana L uOnt want anything else. L nave
had a hard life, and l wasn't raised to IL. My father
was a sea captain and while we didn't have much
education we had plenty of money, and l never did
any work until l married. But I never missed the
money. My husband loved meand / loved him, and
we lived here In this little house, and l used to watch
for his boat at night. and send him away in the
morning happy, because I loved him And one day he
mover came back, and now l have only my thoughts
OF him. But l live here where the waves that he loved
can sing a song TO me. That's what makes life worth
while to a woman. to love to live with and a love to re-
member.
She paused and Helen stole a glance at Kirk, He
had squared his shoulders, and there was a look in
his eyes of hopeful expectancy. The little old woman
glanced at the two, then rose and went into the
kitchen.
Kirk went over and stood by the lady of his heart.
lis that what life would mean to you, Helen? he
asked. "A love to live with and a love to remem-
Der? ?"
Her eyes answered him. AS he bent over her. the
little old lady came back. The storm Is over she
said, and went to the window.
Far in the distance they heard the faint whistle
and snort OF the tug-boat.
The captains COPPER" said Kirk. and bidding the
cid lady "Good-by' they hastened down to the landing
You did not find the gold" the captain chuckled
as he started back 10 the mainland.