Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-10-28


followed his impulse and went after
the trespasser. When he reached the
spot he could plainly distinguish the
little wet footprints leading straight
up into the thicket Of spruces. He
halted there at the foot Of the embank-
ment,
Hi, there. man Friday" he called
good naturally.
There was no reply. Not q sound
broke the stiffness.
81 saw you that time, my boy. Don't
try any game on me. ! won't hurt
you"
"H,mm a voice startled him from
the gloom Of the thicket not three yards
distant.
"Ah, skeptical, are you, son? Wen,
listen to this-my canoes gone adrift
and I can't recover it on account O.
| being old and rheumatic. I've discoV-
cred your footprints on the sand OF my
island, and therefore you're my man
Friday. Today's Friday, you know.
Don't you want to swim over and get
my canoe for me, and then come back
and have luncheon on the shore"
Lewis voice was alluring.
"poor old Robinson Crusoe" chuckled
the voice from the thicket, but its
owner made no attempt to come forth.
'sWill you get the canoe?" persisted
Lewis. II think there's chicken pie IN
the basket"
'I'll get it for you If you will so
back and stay on the beach," parleyed
the voice after awhile.
every well, Friday; I'll go burroW
my head in the sand If you insist.
I'm quite at your mercy. Exit Robin
son Crusoe." Lewis grinned to himself
as he went back to his pipe and book.
Studiously turning his back to the lake
and the strip Of beach to his left. he
cnyeloped himself in clouds Of smoke
and presently quite forgot his man
Friday and the errand upon which he
had been sent.
a pebble struck him squarely be-
tween the shoulder blades and brought
him to his feet The canoe was
beached nearby, and sitting in it, a
tarpaulin thrown over her knees, was
q girl. Lewis stared at her with slowly
rising color while she gazed with dark
laughing eyes. Her face was tinted
daintily by sun and wind, and her red
lips were parted above perfect teeth.
"I-beg your pardon" Lewis man
aged to calculate. Are you-did you
Il thought l was speaking to a boy
He knew the girl was enjoying his
embarrassment
She shook her head with q charming
smile. NO excuses, Mr.. Warren. Fiji
day has reclaimed the canoe for you
and expects a piece Of chicken pie"
"Of course-of course l am honored, "
assured Lewis after he brought forth
the luncheon basket, and he blessed
the fastidious Taku for the dainty ar
rangement of the yiands, the crisp
paper napkins, the surprise Of delicious
fruit.
He did not invite her to leave the
canoe, because he knew that the tar
paulin covered her pretty pink and
white feet. and he had thought they
belonged to boy! lie waited on her
eagerly and forgot to eat as he
watched her consume the luncheon.
I'm ever so much obliged to you
for bringing in the canoe" he said at
| length. Il would have been marooned
here all night if you hadn't overlooked
my presumption and swan after it. l
hope you won't take cold" He looked
at the pretty blue bathing dress, with
its elbow sleeves displaying slender
brown arms.
Dear me. no; I'm in and out of the
water q dozen times q day. I'm en-
loving it all can this week, because
we break camp next Thursday and
return to town. Father and I returned
from Europe only two weeks ago.
As soon as he had learned that you had
bought the other end Of the lake-our
camp is at the west end-he went over
to call. That was yesterday. and be
did not find you at home. He's gone
over again today, and he won't find
you at home"
Lewis looked puzzled and happy at
the same time.
"Your father knows me-" he asked
eagerly.
"Whv. yes. I forgot to tell you who
am. I'm Freda Lanson. and fathers
| Homer Lanson. lie and your father
used to be business partners"
"Oh. of course. Isn't that great?
Lewis was growing enthusiastic. lie
had known Homer Lanson for years.
but never had met the only child which
composed his family. Once in awhile
the two men had dined together at
some restaurant, and it always hap
pened to be on the elder Warren'S
birthday, and in this way Lewis War
rem kept connecting link between his
fathers memory and the man with
whom he had been in business.
I'm sorry you've bought this island:
We. used to consider it public prop
erty." observed Frcua as she sud-