The Press., 1912-01-17

with growing wonderment in her wide gray eyes. You came in the first boat and left the women behind?"
 Because wanted you and said I would win you. my ladyv" he retorted hotly.
 'Am to understand that the Harle- quin has not been in danger-that it is trick?'
 ''Not in the least danger" he laughed rudely. "Alveiro knows this island and the cove like book, and the ship wreck part, the landing in the boat, I may as well tell you, was part of the gamew
 "And-now? It is your intention to detain me here?" she asked angrily.
 "Well, until you promise to marry me-" he admitted.
 "And if do not?''
 ''You'll have to stay until you dog'
 "And if consent?'
 'sWhy, there's settlement on the other side of the island, and the clergy man there"- he stopped abruptly.
 "A settlement" she exclaimed joy ously. Thank you for the informa- tion, Percie Cardr' She turned and ran swiftly along the curving beach toward point of land that jutted into the little bay.
 For a moment he watched her wrathfully. Then he followed. She ran like deer, but he was 1.-the of form and like a cat upon his feet. With long, sweeping bounds he gained on her and. reaching her. placed one hand on her shoulder. She uttered sharp cry, and in that instant there was scuf1e of feet. the shout of a gruff voice, and some dark body hurl- ed itself upon Percie Card and bore him to the sand.
 The dark body resolved itself into the leather countenance and stocky figure of Simon Cotton. He sat upon the recumbent form of his late em- Dloyer and addressed the trembling girl:
 Don't you be afeerd of this here little piper. miss. He couldn't hurt flea. If you'd slapped his face good and hard he'd "a run away. But you did the runnin', and he, bein' the kind i that ain't afeerd of nobuddy that's afeerd of him, why. he just nat'r'Ily follered after.'
 "How did you get here. Simon?" asked Alice eagerly. How can we get away? And is it true that the Harlequin has gone:'
 Simon tucked generous bit of to- baccO in his mouth and nodded sol emnly. Il hee:d them a-layin plans in the wheelhouse yest'dy. They ex- pected me to jire in, and l did as fur as l wanted to. 1 knew if l opened my jaw nobuddy'd believe me and they'd clap me below. So I keeps my trap shut and thinks I'll be on deck to take care O miss when we lands. They loses me overheard while they were bringin' you here. miss. and devil a prayer did one of them dagoes say when 1 slipped over. l lays in wait here, and blast me if I didn't go asleep on duty. But I'm wide awake now" He arose and aimed kick at the recumbent form of Mir Card.
 The little millionaire jumped to his feet, ashen with anger and despairinS humiliation. He stared from the for bidding countenance of the sailor to the naughty, scornful one of the girl he had attempted to abduct. She turned away and looked beyond him. Her face softened, and glad light came into her eyes. Amusement and recognition flushed her cheeks. She looked like a vision of the morning with her shining hair and sweet, gray eyes.
 "Ohv' she cried rapturously. "Who is that?''
 They turned and followed her glance. A figure was advancing down the beach toward them-a tall man with barred head. He carried an easel in one hand and small camp chair in the other. A painting kit was slung from his shoulders. Suddenly he lift ed his eyes and saw the little group. Alice started forward with a loud, glad cry that rang in Percie Cards ears for many a day. Such a revela- tion of love that it was!
 Ralph, Ralph, Ralphr' she called.
 Ralph Bolton dropped his burden and came to meet her with incredulous eyes. He gathered her into his willing arms without further explanation.
 "Oh, I have wanted you so badlyw she sobbed into his shoulder.
 He frightened his grasp on her form as he drew back her head and kissed her tenderly on the lips.
 Simon Colton spat refectiveiy upon the sand and turned his back on the reunited lovers.
 'Seems to me. young feller," he said, fixing the miserable Percie with a hu- morous eye, that you've brought that there young miss to a place where she's mighty glad to be" E.G.a