The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-10-12
under the impetus of the stout armed

the long silence.
Safe on shore, Miss Lovett." be said
briskly. and Alice was too cold and
weary to reject the clammy hand that
sought hers in the darkness.
Day was dawning.
She looked at the jungle covered
shore. sloping upward into q high
crested hill topped by feathery palms.
There. was a smell of cassia and Jas
mine, while myriads of bright hued
birds flickered among the tall, tufted
cocoanuts.
Where are the othersT she asked
as Card helped her over the gunwale.
Coming in the next boat" he an
swered evasively. and then. turning to
the men. "All ready-cast on" and in
an instant the dory was manned and
shot out into the gray mist.
Where Ia the Harlequin asked
Alice. straining her eyes after the de-
parting boat
Beyond the reef" replied Card
laconically.
"And-why are you hereT' she asked
with growing wondefment in her wide
gray eyes. "You came In the first boat
and left the women behindT
Because wanted you and I said I
would win you. my LADY," he retorted
hotly.
Am to understand that the Harle.
Quin has not been In danger-that II
Ia q trickr
'Not in the least danger. be laughed
rudely. "Alvefro knows this island
and the cove like q book. and the ship.
wreck part, the landing in the boat. I
may as we'll tell you. was part of the
game"
"And-now? 1t Is your intention to
detain me hereT she asked angrily.
"Well. until you promise to marry
me-" he admitted.
"And If I do notr'
you'll have to stay until you DOR
"And IL l consentY'
why, there's 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 lnforma.
ton. Percie Cardw She turned and
ran swiftly along the curving beach
toward point of land that jutted into
the little bay.
For a moment he watched her
wrathfully. Then be followed. She
ran like deer, but he was 1.-the of
form and like cat upon his feet.
With long, sweeping bounds be gained
on her and, reaching her, placed one
hand on her shoulder She uttered a
sharp cry, and In that instant there
was scuffie of feet, the shout of a
gruff 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
the 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 a
flea. II you'd slapped his face GOOD
and hard he'd "a run away. But you
did the runn1n', and be, bein' the kind
that amt afeerd of nobuddy that's
afeerd Of him, why. be Just nat'r'lly
follered after"
How did you get here. Simon"
asked Alice eagerly. How can we
get away? And is It true that the
Harlequin has goneT'
Simon tucked a generous bit of to-
baccO in his mouth and nodded SOL
EMMY. II heerd them a-layin' plans
in the wheelhouse yest'dy. They ex-
pected me to jine In. and I did as fur
as l wanted to. l knew II | opened
my jaw nobuddy'd believe me and
they'd clap me below. So keeps my
trap shut and thinks I'll be on deck
TO take care O miss when we lands.
They loses me overheard while they
were bringin' you here. miss. and
devil q prayer did one of them dagoes
say when 1 slipped over. lays in
wait here. and blast me IL didn't go
asleep on duty. But I'm wide awake
now" He arose and aimed a XIX at
the recumbent form of Mr.. Card.
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 a glad light
came into her eyes. Amusement and
recognition flushed her cheeks. She
looked like a vision Of the morning
with her shining hair and sweet. gray
eyes.
"Ohr' she cried rapturousiy. who
Is thatT'
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 small camp chair In
the other. A painting kit was sIung
from his shoulders. Suddenly be 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 a day. Such revela-
ton Of love that 1t vast
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.
a