The Press., 1912-01-10

the voice from the thicKet, put It's owner made no attempt to come forth.
 twill you get the canoeT persisted Lewis. Il think there's chicken pie in the basket
 "I'll get it 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 to 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.
 A pebble struck him squarely be- tween the shoulder blades and brought him to his feet. The canoe was beached nearby. and sitting in 1t, 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.
 ''I-beg your pardon" Lewis man. aged to ejaculate. Are you-did you Il thought 1 was speaking to boy" He knew the girl was enjoying his embarrassment.
 She shook her head with charming smile. No excuses. Mir Warren. Fri day has reclaimed the canoe for you and expects q piece of chicken pie"
 ''Of course-of course I am honored, !" assured Lewis after he brought forth the luncheon basket, and he blessed the fastidlous Taku for the dainty ar engagement of the 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 paulin covered her pretty pink and white feet. and he had thought they belonged to boy! He waited on her eagerly and forgot to eat as he watched her consume the luncheon.
 "I'm ever so much obliged to you for bringing in the canoe." he said at length II would have been marooned here all night if you hadn't overlooked my presumption and swan after it. hope you won't take cold" He looked at the pretty blue bathing dress, with it's elbow sleeves displaying slender brown arms.
 Dear me. no; I'm in and out of the water a dozen times a day. I'm en- toying it all I can this week, because we break camp next Thursday and return to town. Father and returned from Europe only two weeks ago. As soon as he had learned that you had bought the other end of the lake-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 mel" he asked eagerly
 "Why. yes. forgot to tell you who I am. I'm Freda Lanson, and fathers Homer I4anson. He and your father used to be business partners"
 "Oh. of course. Isn't that great ?" 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 the two men had dined together at some restaurant. and it always hap pened to be on the elder Warren'S birthday. and in this way Lewis War ren kept connecting link between his fathers memory and the man with whom he had been in business.
 I'm sorry you've bought this island. We used to consider it public prop erty.'' observed Freda as she sud denly slipped into the water and pre- pared to swim across to the mainland. 'I hope you won't put up No Tres passing signs on the beach,"
 Lewis bushed as he recoIlected his irritation of the day before. Then he recovered his self possession. '"The island belonged to Friday as much as Robinson Crusoe," he said. laughing.
 ''Thank you," she flashed back over her shoulder "Au revoir, Robinson Crusoer'
 "Goodby. Miss Friday" called Lewis, and he stood there watching her until a curve of the shore hid her dark head from view. "Friday-Freda -Friday-there's something coincident about those names. I believe Pm hay ing another premonition. and I'll help it along untiI-until'- He smiled whimsicalIy as he walked back to the canoe. and. although he never finished the sentence, it is a significant fact that he always called her Friday, even after he had earned the right to call her his wife.