The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-11-30
ana her crew cast ashore on some bar
rem island In the West Indies.


her lover was alive he would come 10
her that night. Surely there would he
good news awaiting her at the post
office. God would not forget that she
was alone now. He would give her
back her lost sweetheart. 1t could not
be that Elbridge was dead. She would
never believe it. The future held so
much for them-they were to be mar
ried in the springtime. and she was 10
sail away as the wife of the captain
EIbridse. Bennett was to have cap
tain's berth-sail away into the mystic
rious sea world that still fascinated
her In spite of the fact that 10 had
swallowed up her happiness
Orila saw none of this. Her eyes
were fixed at the single light that hung
| at the end of the Long ro:ri. the light
| In the postoffice Dusk came early.
and when she reached the main street
| a pale moon was showing above the
treetops.
A little crowd about the postof1ce
door deferred her from entering then.
| and she went across the street to the
| SIOEtS. WHeTe SHt CHUSC
present for Cousin Phoebe. When the
knitted shawl and a generous bag Of
peppermints had been rolled into par
eel Orila hung wistfuIly above a glass
case where various articles were dis
played to advantage. She wanted TO
buy a present for Elbridge against his
| coming home.
| h. ~
young shop girl she bought a silver
shaving mug. Inside 1t was lined with
gold and outside 1t was engraved with
a curious design In sea shells. She
was quite penniless when she tucked
1t under her arm and turned away.
At the postoffice her box was empty.
As she passed out of the door excited
voices were speaking.
"And Peter Jones and Elbridge Ben
nett was the only ones saved said
one loudly.
sand Elbridge. he married the cap
tain's daughter. and he's bringing her
home" interrupted another voice.
Down the Long road trudged Orilla
with her Christmas bundles. Some
times her feet stumbled, and she near
" fell into the snow. for her eyes
were always fixed straight ahead at
the dark blotch at the end Of the road.
There was home. She would always
i've alone with Cousin Phoebe. with
the sound Of the sen in her ears and
not even the memory OF a faithful lover
to console her loneliness.
Elbridge had come home-she was
not surprised at that: she had expect
ed it-but her faith had been Knocked
because he had brought home wife.
She could never go to church again
after that. God had deserted her.
When she entered the lighted sitting
room Cousin Phoebe gazed curiously at
her. Orilia's dark hair was tumbled
about her face. and huddied in her red
shawl was silver mug
Oriila placed 1t on the table with a
little laugh. Il bought myself n
Christmas present" she said reckless
~ Its to keep flowers in" Then.
with disregard of Miss Mills as
tonished visage. she turned toward the
door. 1--WE got to go back on the road
I've lost something" she said.
"Have you heard the newsg" biurted
: out Cousin Phoebe.
Yes said Oriii;. She closed the
door and went haci. to the Long road
to search for Cousin Phoebe's Christ
mas gift AT the farther end light
shone-the postoffce. Orilia shuddered;
she would never go there again.
Presently another light appeared be
side the first. 1t melted into the other
and then detached itself and came
twinkling along toward her. Some one
was coming down the Long road-some
OF Cousin Phoebe's folks probably
Orilla found the bundle where she had
dropped itsand then turned homeward
weary and oppressed. She hoped the
lantern bearer would not overtake her
She wanted to be alone until she be
came accustomed TO the fact that Ell
bridge Bennett had a wife.
Somebody was whistling- whistlint
Nancy Lee with variations whis
thing as only one man could renGel
that rollicking air. Orilla's knees
trembled. and she commenced to run.
:. .Ahoy. there" shouted a strong voic,
behind just as Orilla stumbled and fel
detected heap in the snow.
'Orilla-Orilla. I've come hom'
again" he cried joyfully AZ he picket
up her slight figure and pressed her Il
, his breast.
LET me go-let me go" struggled
: orilla fercely. ..Don't you suppose
| know? I've heard about your wife
J But Elbridge only held her the tight
er. You're the only wife I'll ever have
/ Orilla Drayton Them COMPOUNDED fool
have got it mixed. It's Peter Jones Il
has married the captains girl. Vol
see. we was wrecked or one Of then
little islands. and only Peter and m
. was saved. Then Captain Smith h
. saved us. and Peter
Il don't want to hear any more.
sobbed Orilla. Eve been awful wick
i ed. Eibridge. lost all faith. I'll tel
. you about 1t when we get home.
hated Christmas and everything afte
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