Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-10-14


the spruces far down the beach, lie
followed his Impulse and went after
he trespasser. When he reached the
spot he could plainly distinguish the
little wet footprints leading straight
up into the thicket of spruces. lie
halted there at the foot of the embauS
ment.
"Hl, there. man Frldayr' he called
good nnturedly.
There was no reply. Not a sound
broke the stiffness.
II saw you that time. my boy. Dou'I
try any game on me. | won't hurI
you"
"H'mr' A voice startled him frou
the gloom of the thicket not three yard
distant.
"Ah, skeptical, are you, SOM Well
listen to this-my canoes gone adrid
and l can't recover 1t on account d
being old and rheumatic. I've discoY
cred your footprints on the sand OF mi
island. and therefore you're my mai
Friday. Today's Friday, you know
Don't you want to swim over and sd
my canoe for me. and then come bacl
and have luncheon on the shore 4
Lewis voice was alluring.
Poor old Robinson CrusoeW chucklel
the voice from the thicket, but ID
owner made no attempt to come fortll
"will you get the cancer" persiste'
Lewis. II think there's chicken pie Il
the basket"
IN get 1t for you II. you will q
back and stay on the beach," parleye|
the voice after awhile.
'Very well, Friday; III go burroI
my head In the sand II you insisI
I'm quite at your mercy. Exit Robi
son Crusoe." Lewis grinned to himser
as he went back to his pipe and boot
Studiously turning his back to the Ia
and the strip Of beach TO his left,
enveloped himself In clouds of smo4
and presently quite forgot his NJ
Friday and the errand upon which
had been seut.
A pebble struck him squnrely
tween the shoulder blades and hruupN
him to his feet. The canoe wi
beached nearby, and sitting In II,
tarpaulin thrown over her knees. "
a girl. Lewis stared at her with SLOW
rising color, while she gazed with da
laughing eyes. Her face was TINT
daintily by sun and wind. AID her r
lips were parted above perfect teeth.
"I-beg your pardon" Lewis una
aged to calculate. Are you-did I'd
II thought was speaking to boy
He knew the girl was enjoying
embarrassment
She shook her head with charmlf
smile. mo excuses. Mr.. Warren. +
day has reclaimed the canoe for n
and expects q piece of chicken pie"
"Of course-of course am honoredN
assured Lewis after he brought foT2
the luncheon basket. and he blessV
the fastldious Taku for the dainty Il
rangement of the viands. the crl
paper napkins, the surprise Of delicio
fruit.
He did not invite her to leave
canoe, because he knew, that the I'll
paulin covered her pretty pink a
white feet. and he had thought lib
belonged to a boy! He waited on b
eagerly and forgot to eat as
watched her consume the luncheon.
I'm ever so much. obliged to n
for bringing In the canoe" he said
length II would have been maroon
here all night If you hadn't overlook
my presumption and swan after 1t.
hope you won't take cold" He lookH
at the pretty blue bathing dress. wi
| it's elbow sleeves displaying slend
brown arms.
Dear me, no.; I'min and out of
water dozen times a day. I'm
+, joying 1t all ! can this week. becaut
we break camp next Thursday al
return to town. Father and return
from Europe only two weeks al
AS soon as he had learned that you hS
bought the other end of the lake-OE
camp is at the west end-he went on
to call. That was yesterday, and
did not find you at home. He's gu
over again today, and he won't
you at home.".
Lewis looked puzzled and happy
| the same time.
your father knows met" he ASH
eagerly.
"Why. yes. l forgot to tell you
am. I'm Freda Lanson. and fathd
Homer Lanson. He and your fat
used to be business partners"
"Oh, of course. Isn't that greaI
Lewis was growing enthusiastic.
had known Homer Lanson for yea|
but never had met the only child VIII
composed his family. Once In awl
the two men had dined together
some restaurant, and II always
/ pened to be on the elder Ware
birthday, and in this way Lewis WI
rem kept connecting link between
fathers memory and the man "
whom he had been in business.
'I'm sorry you've bought this isla
We used to consider It public pr
erty." observed Freda as she *
denly slipped into the water md
u pared to swim across to the mania N
!. 81 hope you won't put up No T
passing signs on the beach,"
| Lewis blushed as ~ha 5recollected
irritation OF the day before. Then
Z recovered his self possession.
Island belonged to Friday as much
Robinson Crusoe." he said, laughi1
| S'erhank you," she flashed back
her shoulder "Au revoir. Robl1
/ Crusoep .AF
| "Goodby, Miss Friday" ca
| - 80