The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-03-16
BY
CHARLES GARVICE
(Continued.)
Author of 'Just a Girl" 'Diana and Destiny"
ssn Woifs Cictllins,' cite.
Copyright, 1903
BY George H. Doran Company


brown as a berry, still rested on the
revolver. She ignored his exciama-
tory speech; and with her brows
bent. her head erect, she said coidly:
why have you came here?
How"
rection of the boat.
Il rowed over from Tricanit," he
said. But you haven't answered my
question; you know. remember me-"
Yes" she responded calmly, in the
sweet contralto, the echo of which
had often rung in his ears since he
had first heard it. 81 remember you.
What do you want? Why have You
rome here"
II just padded across out of Curl
psity, to see what the island was
ike" replied Ronald. 81 did not ex-
pect TO find any one here-thought
the place was uninhabited. Are you
living here-Miss Raven?' he added.
recalling the name on the board over
the mili-door.
Yes" she replied CURLY.
what an extraordinary thing!" he
said. his amazement still holding him.
why is it extraordinary she in
uuired coldly. This island is my
rather's; he rents it,
Really. So he has given up the
mill on the moor-you can't have a
mill here. surely?"
NO, my father is fisherman" she
explained, by no means too readily.
The mill didn't pay, I suppose.
I'm sorry. why, this is even a lone
lier spot than the moor! Are there
any other persons on the island?"
mo one besides ourselves and
Nita, the girl who lives with US as
servant. she looks after the poultry,
which we sell at Messina on the Is
land" She meant Sicily. "Do you
wish to ask any more questions?"
Ronald colourcd.
IL beg your pardon. Your pres
ence here is so unexpected that L
by George,-I can scarcely get over
II, I've often wanted to meet you
again; but i little thought that
should meet you like this, and in such
an out-of-the-way spot"
There was a pause; then she said
graveIy, thoughtfully:
Are you staying at Tricania?"
Yes" he replied
There is no motel there, no house,
my father says she remarked.
There isn't. 1 came across from
England in a yacht with a friend. He
has some land on the island; we have
put up a chalet, a little wooden house
The yacht is anchored in the bay
Then you are going to stay some
timer" she said quickly. What are
you doing there?"
Ronald almost started. In the
excitement of the strange meeting
with her, he had actually forgotten
Rll about the treasure; and her ques-
ton brought it back to his memory
with a shock.
I'VE are shooting-fshing, he
said. I'VE may stay some time. But
=on't you tell me about yourself, how
YOU happened to come here?"
He had seated himself beside her
but not too near. 1t seemed to him
that she was like some beautiful wild
bird; fearless enough, but likely tt
take flight at too close an approach
The Moonlight fell upon her face; the
soft breeze, laden with the faint per-
fume of the sea and the flowers, gent
iy stirred the soft tendrils of the
dark hair clustering on her forehead
Her beauty stole over his senses, helt
them captive. and set his pulse:
beating thickly.
She shrugged her shoulders ant
smiled.
1T is simple" she said. My father
brought me here. We left the mil
suddenly one evening. / do not know
why. Perhaps he could not get 6
living there"
''But-but surely ii must be a pool
suggested
She made a movement with hel
hand
Zone does not want much" sh.
Faid, as if the matter were of no i'm
portance
You have house?"
Yes It was here when we CAM
Ny father built it long time ago.
think he lived here before / wa
born"
viii you let me go with you t.
zee him?" asked Ronald.
The question seemed to rouse he
from her reverie. She turned he
face to him quickly, with a sudde,
gravity and earnestness.
No she said. "You must no
come. He is not home yet; he ha
gone fishing. You must not com
again"
But" began Ronald.
She cut his remonstrance short.
My father does not like trespas
sers." she said. HE would be angr
T. he found you SeTe. You had bet
Ter go before he returns
Ronald regarded her with astonish
1nent and disappointment.