The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-26
THE FATAL
[A|[IlI[H [7 |.
BY CHARLES GARviCE.
Copyright, 1909, by George II. ooran
Company
CHAPTER XVII.
In Live.

As he rowed across in the moon
light to Tricania, Ronald felt as
If he had suddenly changed places
with someone else. His heart was
bcaJmg fast, Tor the blood was
coursing fiercely and swiftly through
his veins, as it doe sat the first
touch of fever.
He had got over the shock of
finding Cara on the island, and
amazement was now replaced by a
much more disturbing and powerful
emotion. lie felt as il he We're row
ing away from a land of dreams, a
kind of fairyand more beautiful ana
enchanting than any OF which he had
read or even imagined And the fairy
held all his thoughts.
He had run the Gauntlet OF several
London seasons, and had passed the
ranks of the feminine foe unscathed,
untouched, but he had received his
wound at las, The face, the voice Of
the girl OF the mill, her every move
ment, so supple, so full of grace, held
subtle influence for him. lie rested
on his oars and stared before him,
that he might be free TO hink of her,
TO recall her.
Yes; he loved her that was what
was the mater with him. For him
there could be no happiness unless he
could win her. His heart beat fast at
the thought. Win her Was It possible
hat he could ever be so fortunate,
She had not treated him qui so cold.
Iy as she had at that first NEE ing,
but she had kept him at arms leng il
tonight, had forbidden him TO see her
again. And 20 see her again seemed
TO Ronald as necessary as it was that
ne should breathe. He wanted her as .,
man wants food, light, raiment.
He had no plans tor the future
alas! Ronald was a poor hand a max
,ng plans for the future, or even tn
present, He was only conscious tha
if ne could not be near her, nave hel
by his side, to keep her there forever.
nothing else could console him-uo
even a share in buried treasure.
As the treasure crossed his mind, he
remembered that he had promised
Cara-he had already begun TO thinn
OF ner by what was in his opinion,
lac sweetest Of all names-to keep
the secret of her presence on the
small island. That was awkward, he
thought. as he let the boa. drift again;
he shou d no. have given the promise;
for Nane ought TO be informed OF
the fac that the island was inhabit-
ed But the promise had been given,
and it was sacred TO him.
Fortunately, in a sense, Vane had
turned in before Ronald had returned,
and. in the morning, was 50 busy tha,
he appeared 20 have forgotten Ron
aids expedition OF the preceding
night; and Ronald, with q little self-re.
proach refrained from reminding him
OF It,
For the first time since their arrl-
val Ronald felt the day drag on his
hands. He went out with his gun IN
the morning, but shot nothing-he
did moi want 10 shoot anything; and
at times he took long rests, sitting on
a rock and smoking hard, his eyes
fixed in the direction of Cara's island,
which he could not see. because II
was hidden by another and larger
one of the group.
Later in the day he launched the
boat and padded towards the fairy
land which obsessed him, and his
eyes eagerly sought the tree on the
cliff. But there was no spot of white
TO be seen; she had not made the
signal. He gave sigh of disappoint
ment and impatience and rowed back
Smithers was at the landing place
the sailors of the yacht had made.
and he saluted Ronald cheerfully.
Fine evening for row, sir" he