Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-10-07

CAG1NGA AAtA t0RRutA W ANathNAJ RaAhA1s
There was n smell OF cassia and Jas.
mine, while myriads OF bright hued
birds fiickered among the tall, tufted
cocoanuts.
where are the others3" she asked
as Gard helped her over the gunwaie.
Coming in the next boat" he an
swered evasiveiy, and then. turning to
the men. "All ready-cast orr and In
an instant the dory was manned and
shot out into the gray mist.
"Where 10 the Harlequin asked
Alice, straining her eyes after the de-
parting boat.
beyond tho reef" replied Card
laconically.
"And-why are you herer' she asked
with growing wonderment in her wide
gray eyes. You came in the first boat
and left the women behind"
Because 1 wanted you and said
would win you. my ladyr' he retorted
holly.
"Am to understand that the Harle-
quin has not been In danger--that II
Is trickr
mot in the least danger" he laughed
rudely. "Alveiro knows this island
and the cove like a book, and the ship
wreck part. the landing In the boat,
may as well tell you, was part OF the
gnmei'
"And-now7 It is your intention to
detain me here" she asked angrily.
well. until you promise to marry
me-" he admitted.
"And IL do notT
you'll have to stay until you dor
"And II consentr'
why, there's q. settlement on the
other side of the island. and the clergy.
man there he stopped abruptly.
"A settlementw she exclaimed JOY.
ously. THANK you for the informa.
ton. Percie Cardp She turned and
ran swiftly along the curving beach
toward a point of land that jutted into
the little bay.
wrathfully. Then he followed. She
ran like deer, but he was 1.-THE of
form and like a cat upon his feet
With long, sweeping bounds he gained
on her and. reaching her, placed one
hand on her shoulder. She uttered a
sharp cry, and In that instant there
was scufleo of feet, the shout OF O.
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:
Nnantf hn afa ..A
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 runnin'. and he, 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 away2 And is It true that the
Harlequin has gomez
Simon tucked a generous bit OF to-
bacco in his mouth and nodded SOL
EMMY. IT heerd them a-layin' plans
in the wheelhouse yest'dy. They ex-
pected me to jine In. and did as fur
az wanted to. knew IL i opened
my jaw nobuddy'd believe me and
tApy W NtHR Alp UGtVWs 0V kG0pS my
trap shut and thinks III be on deck
to take care O miss when we lands.
They loses me overheard while they
were bringin' you here. miss. and
devil prayer did one of them dagoes
say when 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 kick at
the recumbent form OF MT Card.
The little millionaire jumped to his
feet. ashen- with anger and despairing
humiliation he stared from the for
bidding couptsnance Of the sailor to
the naughty. scornfuI one of the girl
he had attempted to abduct She
turned WWay and looked beyond him.
Her face softened, and n glad light
came into her eyes. Amusement and
recognition fiushed her cheeks She
looked like vision OF the morning
with her shining hair and sweet, gray
eyes.
"ohw she cried rapturousiy. ''who
is thatr'
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 slung
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 day. Such revela-
ton of love that IL vast
"RaIph, Ralph, Ralphw 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 badlyr
she sobbed into his shoulder.
He frightened his grasp on her form
as he drew back her head and kissed
her tenderly on the lips.
Simon Cotton spat reflectively upon
the sand and turned his back on the
reunited lovers.
"Seems to me. young feller." he said.
fixing the miserable Percie with hui
morous eye. "that you've brought that
there young piss TO place where
she's mighty glad to be-"