The daily Alaskan., 1911-11-23
Rr mrs SaRAfl B. RoBERTs

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 On the coast of Maine Is an island (Rsney's island where I have sum- mer cottage My place is on the east side of the ismnd. and on that side the Atlantir's waves are unbrcken by any land or shoals, go that they come singing Ia upon the rocks. Surrounds iuc the house except On the sea side, are fir trRs-s. whose odor bangs pleas antly upon fhe air, espeCiaily pure in that region. The people who live on RSiIev's and on Orr's island. being next north of Bajcy'S, are mostly hSh- or folk, though some os them do lit- tle farming in vegetables and miiG,
 The several summers during my oc- cupsncy Of my cottage a girl abca; seventeen yea{s old -ATyra Crofts was her name-bypueht me milk. She drove about among her customers m a lttle blackboard wagon drawn by smsn horse. so used 10 his mistress sfous that he would stand quietly wherever be was placed Myra was study for an artist. Her clothes were Of the poorest. but her face was comely and her figure St for model for statue. did my own house work snd used to receive the girl at the kitchen door, and since I liked her would siways speak a pleasant word. One day l said to her;
 'Nyra, it seems to me that it Is nearly time you were getting hus- band"
 "Oh. dear. uO." she replied, showing bv a toss of her head that the subject deeply interested her. There's no one on the island who wants me and ! never go oT it. And, as for the sum mer visitors. the young men are all too much taken up with the visiting girls to notice one who peddles milk
 had my eye on a young fisher man, to whom I had taken as much fancy as | had for NIyra. During the months of July and August he gave his attention Co the summer visitors, taking them out in his motorboat, but after they had gone he would re- turn to his fishing. I went out with him frequently and had every conf dence in his ability as skipper. There are numerous lodges in Oasco bay, and Ned Ballard could sail among them almost with bis eyes shut. l was once with him in a fog some seven or eight miles out to the eastward numerous islands and reefs intcryen- ing between us and home Ballard brought me into port safely, never ly- ing to for moment, and when we landed saSd to him
 How in the world did you do itg'
 "Oh. to me he replied, tits like your walking about in your own house in the dark. notice the Cow ot the tide bv the direction Of the buoys. ! oc- casiouatiy get a glimpse of & iock. a bit of shore. point, which confirms me in my opinion as Co where ! am.'
 This wss all uaiutelligable to me, for I bad during the whole period seen nothing but that driving fog so cUm, mon on that coast
 Tt occurred Co me that Ned Ballard and Mvra Crofts would make good match, Ned brawny and strong, Myra a fine specimen Of a country girl So interested was | in bringing the two together by plan | conceived that when the season ended and the other summer residents and visitors departed I stayed on. Fer a few days after the herIra from country to city telt lonely at the changed appearance the region took on, but as soon as | be came accustomed to the new regime I felt more pleasure in ny surround. inrS than ever. There was ubove me inc great blue dome of the heavens, shout me the waters of the bay, and I brcsthrd in ss pure air as it Is pos sible Co fnd eO the globe.
 To carry out my scheme for bringing my two favorites together I was obliged to stay tn after Halloween, for on that day it was to be put in practice. Ny sailing days were not so freoueut now since Ned Ballard was engaged with his lshing. His work was In the night. and he slept by day, He hshed priucipslly for mackerel, spreading his nets at set of sun and taking them up at Its rising, and when lucky would hRd them well 6led with fish. which he sold at a handsome price He told me that in one haul he once took in 1900 pounds
 Moonlight nights were his favorite time Co fish. There was sufficient light by which to work, but not enough for Che Ssh down fn the water 10 see the nets tn which their fins were caught I have myself seen him out between my cottaEe and Ragged 1 fsland-so called from it's ragged shore and when his boat would lie In the moons simmer I could almost recNe, nize the silhouette Of his figure.
 That year Halloween came at the fun of the moon. had thought of ! Inviting Ned and Myra to my cottage [ unknown Co each other and contriv' ] ing to have them see each others re. ! fiection in mirrors, but Ned was hay