The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-30
BY STACY r. BAKER.

Copyright, 1910, by Associated Liter.
airy Press.)
How did you get here?" demanded
Stanley. impatfently. He owned this
little dot In the sea, and, for purely
personal reasons, he wanted to be
alone.
The appeal in the pretty black eyes
OF the maid. as she stood humbly be-
fore this suddenly appeared island
monarch. made no visible impression
on the youth.
Il came. The voice of the CIR
was as soft and luiling as the breeze
that occasionally crept through the
branches of the tropical trees on
Stanley's possession. 1t should have
touched II tender chord in his heart
II didn't.
notice that you are-er-here, =
responded the man, dryly. but I'll be
hanged II l know how. Two minutes
ago this beach was deserted. Now
YOU are here. There isn't a boat In
sight. and the sky. is frankly clear ot
airships. ! know you came. but what
] want to know is how you came"
The GIRL trim, dainty little thing
with great soft eyes. nervousiy finger
ed stray curl. She stared, Fascinated
at this great blond giant who seemed
about TO deny her the privilege OF STEP
ping her dainty feet or the property he
claimed.
II Just came" she reiterated
lamely.
My dear Young lady'---the gruff
Stanley approached and stared keenly
1t the sirl--"there isn't any doubt Of
that at nil: you came. all right. be-
!cause, well, You See, you're here That
proves 1t, even If We're at all skep-
tical--whieh ! nm not. Hut one thing
il obviously certain. You can't stay!
II you don't want to tell me how You
came here--er-;lIl right. but how and
when are you goingP ! insist upon
Knowing this. ycri know. Understand?
You've got to go,"
The frightened girl suddenly burst
into tears. Il can't SWIM" she wan-
ed. and. In an abandonment to grief.
threw herself down on the rank foliage
Under Il stunted palm.
Stanley surveyed the weeping girl
for one. tens. second. \ great hand
rnmpied his thick thatch of yellow hair.
20. I say he protested. Nobody
expects sou tn swim. you know. You
certainly didn't swim out here. All
| ask you To- do Is To go as you came.
II you understood, you would see
things as do. 70 usipm nfw fsfw W
things as / do. You simply can't stay
here--it ia impossible / am the only
enc here, YOU know. You'fi~-er~-conI
promise Yourself If you stay
The girl had saddenls ceased crying
and sat staring at the inststent youth
i can't ga," sire Hentured. AZ least
can't go. now. Their. is no way"
STANLEY h!dn't answer for a moment
At last he turned to the girl .ovar
there in Gods country" lie hegan
pointing away from the Island. Il used
- be rather--a- gentleman. out here
haven't had any occasion to f'e--hn-
I'll now. I guess | have been rather
abrupt, t. say the least"
For the first ttsue ha invetatoriea tho
maid With appreciauve eyes Its all
right II you don't Want n explain
things. wils-~furget IL I've got a cot
1age II little distance from here. and
ION are welcome To stay there Tor as
long as you care to stay. There IL
just one part ef ths island on which
sou must not trespass~~but | viii ex-
i,taiu about that later.
Nj name is Mildred Allen, said
the girl. simply, and seemingly taking
the arrangements "a matter OF
course. Il live In Los Angeles, ind l.
] won't intrude upon YOU any longer
than ! lave to-
Stanley thought of The boat that WAS
scheduled 10 stop for him several
able that the girl would be II resident
II this remote little SPOT longer than
vlie ina etned. unless--~nnless she went
the game way she had come. How
the 6iekerS did she come, anyway; and
~hS Was she So retirent about II NIL
She WAS a pretty little thing. and
miracle Of neatness ia her trim sailor
slit.
Ny name is Stanley came from the
island uagnate, Bert Staifies-~and.
as l have said. / am on this island for
a particular purpose. own tor ra-
iher the company that represent owns
IL He stopped abruptly Come. he
said, I'm show you the cottage.
The cottage was bungalow. and
the girl. with seemingly never another
thought OF her unceremontous coming,
took enthusiastic possession at once.