The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-07
THE EVENING STORY



MY father left it to me-"
MY uncle left it to me -
| You have camped on the wrong
island. There are hundreds of Islands
in the river. You have chosen by
mistake one which belorSe to me-
My uncle's descriptions were very
vivid. His island was q iong. narrow
one with cabin at each end"
my fathers island was a long, mar
row one with a cabin at each end.
Were you ever here with your uncle7"
mo. Were you ever here with your
lfather?''
mo. But I am sure this is my is
land"
az am equally sure that it is mine
I have no objection. however, to your
using the cabin you have chosen as
your home"
"You have my permission to remain
in the cabin in which you are living.
It is my property, but I shall permit
you to remain there"
The young man clenched his teeth
on the stem of his pipe and stared
wrathfully out at the river. The girl
watched his handsome, wrathful pro-
file.
"why did you come here?" she
asked presently.
"a man has a right t. visit his own
property. Why did you oome?''
"A woman has a right t. spend a
few weeks on her own estate. came
here because 1 was tired Of people and
places. My father bought this island
years ago and built the two cabins. 1
brought my housekeeper with guam
tity of supplies and came here to
spend a month"
Il came here for a rest and for the
fishing. I thought 1 should find my
island unmolested by intruders."
II am not an intruder" She rose
to her feet and stood looking down
/ ~. L
pushed to the back of her head and
her reddish brown hair waved about
her tanned forehead. Loose bands of
| it blew across her dark eyes and on
her rounded cheeks. 81 shall return
to my cabin" she announced. IF at
regard to matters such as tenant
usually desires to discuss with his land
lord you may communicate with me.
Otherwise. do not address me-
The young man jumped to his feet.
"Oh, 1 say, Miss Sheldon" he pleaded,
don't be cross just because I insist
that I own this island. Won't you
como out for a row with me? The
water is fine and I'm awfully lone
some.''
Miss Sheldon looked from him to
the river. The setting sun threw a
golden light over the river and the
trees. The steady. soft Tapping of the
water OH the sand, the occasional call
of a bird, the splash of a fish were the
only sounds on the island. She looked
back at the young man. I'll CO." she
agreed
A week later they were sitting on
the sand at abe waters edge near the
cabin.
"Ethel." he said. "these have been
glorious days. We came here strang-
ers to each other and now
10 cbn0Ix her head SLOWLY re
were tears in her eyes. I'VE quarrel
all the time" she began.
"Only on one subject" he inter
posed.
But we shall never agree on that
one. 1 claim the island so do you.
serious fact is that we can not COM
promise. Neither will yield to the
other. Just now the island is the
cause of disagreement between us.
Later something else will be equally
provocative OF trouble"
"I'Il deed you the isle nd and then
we need never quarrel over it again.
| "It is not yours to give away: II
is mine and I shall give 1t to YOU
You cant. It is mine and I shall
give it to you for a wedding present
Wen come here every summer after
we are married"
1--WE shall not be married. You may
! have the island. / shall give it to you.
But a marriage between us is impos-
sible. You are too obstinate, too I'M
willing to acknowledge your mis-
| takes
A moment later her cabin door
slammed. but Bertram Hay was walk
ing so rapidly toward his cabin that he
did not hear 1t.
That night Ethel Sheldon was wax
ened suddenly. Some o--e was shak-
ing the door. She sat VI and listened.
The hnnGoLpon6r c1ont SCnnflV The
| shaking continued. Heavy blows
were struck on the doo~. There was
q growing of mems voices man 8
head appeared at the window and
ceased. There were footsteps on the
sand and then the rafting of oars
and the swish of boat.
Ethel ran into the next room and
shook the housekeeper into terrified
wakefulness Two frightened, hastily
| the other cabin half a mile away.
At the first call under his window
Bertram staggered up and threw on
his clothes.
Far down the river they could hear
the regular dip of oars The boat
was going toward the town two miles
/ in the distance.
Bertran rowed Ethel and the maid
back to their cabin. Il shall sleep in
the hammock on your porch the rest
! OF the hight he O0
will rest better If you know there is a
protector on guard"
The rext morning q skiff landed be-
fore Ethel's cabin. A nan wearing
on his flannel shirt a well polished
star stepped from the boat.
/ i've brought you notice to move,
he announced. 1.-The owner of this
island wants to move in and you
young folks are to leave"
.aTRe owner ~ The question came
from two pairs of lips
Mr.. John Brown owrs this island.
He came here with some friends last
night and found this cabin occupied.
He banged on the door and nobody
answered. One Of the mel looked
Through the window ans saw in the
moonlight a young lady looking scared