Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14

He brought out the guns, drew target
on the side of grocery box, helped Miss
Forrest down to the beach, drove stake IN
the sand set the box upon it, paced off the
distance, and soon the silence was broken
by the cheerful popping of the guns. At the
end of an hour they were both IN thoroughly
good spirits again, and flushed with the ex-
ercise and the competition, which was ex-
ceedingly close And when they returned to
the ship they set about dinner preparations
with zest.
DURING the next few days they thor
- oughly explored the island on foot, and
in one of the smallest hfeboats they roWed
about the CLASSY harbor waters. They swept
the horizon frequently with telescopes for
trace of any other island or ship, and Barrls-
ton built large signal on top of the hill.
Upon this he kept flag Of distress flying by
day and several large ships lanterns burning
by night. They made point OF preparing
as varied and attractive meals as possible
out of the ships large stores, and invented
various games and tournaments to play IN.
But, in spite of all their occupations, the
mystery and the unnatural conditions IN
which they lived grew more and more OPP
pressive. They both fought against the
gloom with all the strength of their wills.
Each tried to cheer the other and to be
cheerful.
Il don't know as this is very much queerer
than the rest of the world, anyway he
ruminated one evening as they sat on the
after deck watching the red sun sink into the
ocean. "You can get just as much tangled
up thinking about it as about this island
episode. A little child can ask questions that
the wisest man can't answer.
"Everyone wonders unused the girl softly;
"but it doesn't do any good. think 1t IS
doe oh 1h hoe
things. 1t is better to think more about what
we are going to do with our lives. What are
you going to do with yours?' she asked,
turning to him.
Il have been thinking about that good
deal lately" he replied. Il never had much
of an idea of doing anything with it till
came here Now feel differently. If ever
i mean when | get away from here, back
into life, | am going to get into the game.
| don't believe | was intended to be a diet
tante My people have always been work
ers, and know now that that should be my
destiny too To do something! Heavens!
If | could only do something here!' He
looked into the sweet, delicately formed face
of Daphne a moment and added, some
thing for YOU! Now, for the first time in my
life, when | am furiously anxious to do some
thing, there is nothing to do. | am of no
use to YOU or to myself. My helplessness
appalls me. | almost wish at times we had
been shipwrecked. Then l could have at
least built cabins and explored and perhaps
fought But here we have every comfort
and luxury, and we live idly and at ease. !"
He sprang up restlessly, and then sat down
again IF ever / get you out of this, I'll
show you what am made Of! I'll go to my
father or your father and say am ready to
take off my coat! Daphne, he cried be-
seemingly, it was the first time he had
called her by that name, what is this trial
you and are going through? What is it
going to mean to us both?'
For moment they looked deep into each
others eyes. Into her face a slight color
crept, and her eyes softened and grew ten
der and wistfu1. His own face had been
transformed His self consciousness was
gone When they spoke again it was a few
Commonplace about the oil lamps and
breakfast, and presently she babe him good
night and went downstairs to her cabin.
But it was long before he slept that night.
nNE morning their depression eliminated
- in gloom that neither of them could
shake off. In desperation, Barriston pro-
posed long walk to the other side of the
island, and they set out directly after break
fast. They struggled to talk a little; but
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