The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-29
THE ISLAND OF JOY
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.

BY TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright 1910, by Associated Literary Press,
1t moonlight night that Marcia and hsr
lover first the Island Of Joy looming up against
the silver sky
Il am going to take you there some day" Arthur
murmured when married"
Marcia's face grew wistful. Sometimes think
mat day Is never coming" she said
Arthur drew her closer. Everything has been
against U.S. sweetheart first, lack OF money, and now
when everything is ready. my mothers illness which
But you VIII come back" she chung him.
his voice took all sting from his
Somehow" she hesitated. then went on. II feel
as IT we we're never going to reach that Island of
Nonsense shall be back In Il month and then
We w1 sail away on the sea OF romance to happy
She tried to smile. but she could shake off bar
Write eften, she insisted as he told her
Every day. of course" he said II SHAH never be
too busy to soribbe line you"
full OF hope and of his love for her The nrst was
written the day his steamer sailed. the
In the days OF silence which followed Marcia tried
TO s still her foreeodinss HIS mother is so M
when week had passed she began be afraid.
and at last torn by dsep anxety she resoved TO-
send a eaoesram. On her way to the once she met
Il saw Arthur" she told Marcia His mother Is
better and he Is going to take her and Mignon up
'Sngnon ," Something seemed to clutch Marciaa
heart as she asked tho question.
The little French girl who helped nurse his mother.
she is a darling and Arthur completely lost his
Annette was no. cruel She knew nothing Of the
engagement between Marcia and Arthur. and she did
her friend
Marcia went her way with outward calmness but
i"maiuts sie was shr1nkng with pain Arthur untrue
would the heavens fall: She had had such faith In
and never would be other girl in his life. But
the French women were such charmers and his
She turned back from the telegraph Office
wa home BY the beach road In the hot Of
xeloped by golden mist 1t seemed to swim in air
When she reached the wharf she united her boat
ana rowed across the shining water, her flashing
feel tired. II seemed that only Violent physical exer-
else could stu, the beating OF her heart
The island had once been inhabited by pair OF
lovers who had chosen TO leave the world that they
might be alone in their happiness Old had
them still content The ancient house with its wide
porches its shaded rooms. its garden cared
for by deaf old man. who grnned vaeuousy when
marcia handed him tip as he tied her boat and
left her to her own devices.
The island semed made for love, There was no
sound but the soft cooling Of doves the sigh of the
wind in the trees the kiss of the they touch
flowers, the bees drowsed above the blossoms tn.
butterflies hung heavily as they drew sweetness from
Marcia. standing the threshold of the big house
felt her heart stiiled Surely somewhere. somehow,
there would be found reason for Arthurs silence
Within the house she found further strength
Everywhere were evidences Of mans devotion to the
woman he loved Hsre in this PARKWAY place there
had been need for reserves. the walls wers
framed the first love letters of the happy psirTherr
were other letters too, collected little volume
with OF faded silk
Marcia, buried deep the -colored cushions
or an old couch, read these letters eagerly. The man
II seemed, had ben called for time far coun-
tries 1t his only separation from his wife and
his letters struck constantly note admonition
NO matter beloved. what trials may come. what
silences remember that love you. Should a year
separate us without message, believe in In
me. In this world there may be misadventures which
tend to jealousy and suspicion, but between
those who love there should be no shadow. Ny faith
in YOU is supreme let match 1t, that may
ways be Your Lover"
Thrilled by the wonderful document. Marcia stood
her face radiant
1T is from you, dearest" she muir
murder. II will walt and trust
She made her way across the water in serene con-
tent and was met at the pier by Annette, who
in pink, straight and slim, like unsheathed bud
10 you," che said Arthur made promise that T
would deliver 1t directly into your hand: but YOU
slipped quickly this morning that | did NOT
have time TO tell you
had been the Of all the trouble. Arthur had re-
ceived letters from Marcia his own letters had
been posted by the Frenchwoman. When no word
came from his sweetheart he had taxed Mgnon. ana
her confession had revealed her suppression OF thu
correspondence.
she gave her that she loves me- arm
telling you this because there must be a shadow
of deception between dearest ] know your faith
is better, and coming to you---and we will spend
our honeymoon the Island OF Joy
Marcia went out into the purple twilight and sped
down TO the shore. In the west. beyond smethy.
deeper shadow. Like star shons the beacon which
the deaf old oaretaker lighted to sailors In their
ships But to Marcia she stretched out her sxrns
to It. u was q star Of hoRA Il.