The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-10-13
.nder the impetus of the stout armed

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shore, sloping upward into high
crested hill topped by feathery palms.
There was a smell of cassia and Jas.
mine, while myrlads of bright hued
birds flickered among the tall, tufted
| cocoanuts.
where are the others?" she asked
as Gard helped her over the gunwale
Coming In the next boat" he an
swered evasively, and then, turning to
the men, "All ready-cast OFF, and in
an instant the dory was manned and
shot out into the gray mist.
"Where is the Harlequin" asked
Alice, straining her eyes after the de-
parting boat
Beyond the reef" replied Card
laconically.
"And-why are you here?" she asked
with growing wonderment in her wide
gray eyes, You came In the first boat
and left the women behind2"
Because l wanted you and l said I
would win you. my ladyl' he retorted
holly.
Am to understand that the Harle-
quin has not been In danger-that It
is trick?"
mot In the least danger" he laughed
rudely. "Alveiro knows this island
and the cove like book, and the ship
wreck part, the landing In the boat, I
may as well tell you, was part of tho
camel"
"And-nowl 1t Is your intention to
detain me herer" she asked angrily.
well, until you promise to marry
me-" he admitted.
"And IL do not?"
you'll have to stay until you DOR
"And IL consentT'
"Why. there's a settlement on the
other side of the island, and the clergy.
man there he stopped abruptly.
"a settlement" she exclaimed Joy
ously, THANK you for the informa-
ton, Percie Cardl" She turned and
ran swiftly along the curving beach
toward point of land that jutted into
tho little bay.
For moment he watched her
wrathfully. Then he followed She
ran like deer, but he was 1.-THE of
form and like cat upon his feet.
on her and, reaching her, placed one
hand on her shoulder. She uttered
sharp cry. and In that instant there
was scufiie of feet, the shout Of a
grulf voice, and some dark body hurl-
ed itself upon percie Card and bore
him to the sand
The dark body resolved itself into
the leather countenance and stocky
figure OF Simon Cotton. He sat upon
tho recumbent form OF his late en-
ployer and addressed the trembling girl:
Don't you be afeerd of this here
little piper, miss. He couldn't hurt
flea. If you'd slapped his face good
and hard he'd "a run away. But you
did the runnin'. and he. beln' tho kind
that amt afeerd of nobuddy that's
afeerd of him. why, he just nat'rIly
follered after"
"llow did you get here, Simonf
asked Alice eagerly. How can we
get away? And is 1t true that tho
Harlequin has gonef'
Simon tucked generous bit of to-
| bacco In his mouth and nodded sol
emnly. Il heerd them a-layin' plans
In the wheelhouse yestdy. They ex-
pected me to Jlne In, and did as fur
as | wanted to. | knew IL opened
my jaw nobuddy'd believe me and
they'd clap mo below. SO keeps my
trap shut and thinks I'll be on deck
10 take care o. miss when we lands
They loses me overheard while they
were bringln You here, miss, and
m
say when ] slipped over. / lays In
wait here, and blast me If didn't go
asleep on duty. But I'm wide awake
now" He arose and aimed kick at
the recumbent form OF Mr.. Gard.
The little millionaire Jumped to his
feet, ashen with anger and despairing
humiliation. He stared from the for
bidding countenance of the sailor to
the naughty. scornful one of the girl
he had attempted TO abduct. She
turned away and looked beyond him.
Her face softened, and glad light
came into her eyes. Amusement and
recognition flushed her cheeks. She
looked like vision of the morning
with her shining hair and sweet, gray
eyes.
"OhP' she cried rapturously. "Who
IL that2'
They turned and followed her glance
A figure was advancing down the
beach toward them-a tall man with
barred head He carried an easel In
one hand and n small camp chair in
the other. A painting kit was slung
from his shoulders. Suddenly he lift
ed his eyes and saw the little group
Alice started forward with a loud,
glad cry that rang In percie Cards
ears for many day Such revela-
ton OF love that II was!
Ralph, Ralph, Ralphr' she called.
Ralph Bolton dropped his burden and
came to meet her with incredulous
eyes. He gathered her into his willing
arms without further explanation.
"Oh. / have wanted you so badly~
she sobbed into his shoulder
He frightened his grasp ON her form
AZ he drew back her head and kissed
her tendery on the lips
Simon Cotton spat re6ectivelj upon
the sand and turned his back on the
reunited lovers.
"Seems TO me, young feller." he said.
fixing the miserable Percie with a hui
morous eye, "tknt you've brought that
there young miss to place where
she's mighty glad to be-"