Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-20

and l can't recover II on account OF
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 shoreT"
Lewis voice was alluring.
Poor old Robinson Crus0e" chuckled
the voice from the thicket. but its
owner made no attempt TO come forth.
will you get the canoe?" persisted
Lewis. II think there's chicken pie in
the basket"
iii get 1t for you If you will go
back and stay on the beach," parleyed
the voice after awhile.
Very 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 10 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
enveloped himself in clouds OF smoke
and presently quite forgot his man
Friday and the errand upon which he
had been sent
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
a 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.
'T-beg your pardon Lewis man
aged to calculate. Are you-did you
Il thought l was speaking TO boy"
He knew the girl was enjoying his
embarrassment.
She shook her head with n charming
smile. mo excuses, Mr.. Warren. Fri
day has reclaimed the canoe for you
and expects II piece OF chicken pie"
"Of course-of course | am honored,"
assured Lewis after he brought forth
the luncheon basket, and he blessed
the fastidious Taku for the dainty ar
rangement Of tho viands, the crisp
paper napkins, the surprise of delicious
fruit.
He did not invite her TO leave the
canoe, because he knew that the tar
paulln covered her pretty pink and
belonged to boy! He waited on her
eagerly and forgot TO eat rs he
watched her consume the luncheon.
I'm ever so much obliged to you
for bringing In the canoe" he said at
length. 81 would have been marooned
here all night II you hadn't overlooked
my presumption and swan after II.
hone 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 a dozen times n day. I'm en-
joying it ali I 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 luke-our
camp is at the west end-he went over
to call That was yesterday. and he
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.
"Why, yes. I forgot to tell you who
1 am. I'm Freda Lanson. and fathers
Homer LansOn. He and your father
used to be business partners"
ooh. OF course. Isn't that greatT
Lewis was growing enthusiastic. He
had known Homer Lanson for years.
but never had met the only child which
composed his family. Once in awhile
~
some restaurant. and IT always hap
pened TO be on the elder Warren'5
birthday, and in this way Lewis War
rem kept connecting link between his
fathers memory and the man with
whom he had been I'm business.
I'm sorry you've bought this island.
We used to consider it public prop
erty," observed Frcda as she sud
denly slipped into the water and pre-
pared 70 swim across TO the mainland.
81 hope you won't put up No Tres
passing signs on the beach"
Lewis blushed as be recollected his
irritation OF the day before. Then be
his self possession. 1.-The
island belonged 10 Friday as much az
Robinson CrusOe," he said. laughing.
THANK yosI," she flashed back over
her shoulder. "Au revOir, Robinson
CrusoeT
"Goodby. Miss Friday" called
Lewis, and he stood there watc hing
her until curve OF the shore hid her
dark head from view. "Friday-Freda
something coinridcnt
about those names. I believe I'm hav-
ing another premonition, and III help
L along until-until"- He smiled
" himsically az he walked back 20 the
,anoe. and. although he never finished
the sentence. II is a significant fact
hat he always called her Friday. even
after he had earned the right to call
ler his wife.