Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-31
THE
ISLE OF STRIFE
By
GEORGE c. SHEDD
OeDyrisAt 1914 b Small. MaynsHd . o.
CHAPTER ~.
The Envoy Of a Government.

At 2 o'clock the next afternoon I step
ped aboard the catboat which Jean had
brought over to my wharf and beat my
way up against the wind close under the
lee Of the eastern shore. The gaze Of the
previous day had diminished to fresh
breeze, and the broad Atlantic. still heav-
ing in immense swells that rolled from
the northeast. sparkled with thousand
gems beneath the brilliant sun. The keen
delight Of it all. the flash Of water. the
leap Of spray, the slap of wave against
bow, the keen. pungent scent of sat and
kept them beating joyously. There is
something in the aspect of the broad sea,
spreading apparently without end, NOV
ing without rest. that speaks a challenge.
Unconsciously we animate 1t with gu
gantic spirit; we endow it with human
qualities that contain something more.
something vaster something beyond our
perception: and this very mystery cal
to mems souls. This 1 felt and accepted
without ANALYSIS. hand on tiller. and. me-
Chemically directing the boat up the shore
until I should reach the open bay be-
yOnd, I drank my fiji OF all the glorious
scene and lost myself in sensation of
physical buoyancy.
ecstasy: I returned to matters at hand.
Looking up. / perceived fifty yards be-
fore me a small wharf, and higher up. at
the top Of the gently sloping. open lawn,
Moore House. with portico columns white
against the green background OF wood.
On the wharf were three figures. those
OF a man a two girls: one Of the latter
persons waved q handkerchief.
Jean, Jean, take me with you." she
called.
then shifted the tiller a trifie SO as to
bring the catboat alongside the wharf.
Betty had recognized Jeans craft; she
imagined that she recognized Jean, and
therein Betty would presently experience
q shock, of what nature did not under
take to prophesy. Carefully keeping the
Stating sail between me and the little
party. I guided my vessel gently to Its
mooring.
The trio were evidently torn by discus
sion of the projected excursion OF the
signaler.
"You don't want to go out with that
fellow again. surely" the man exclaimed.
Exactly what I do" Betty's voice was
firm.
"Oh. stay ashore; you'll be drenched.' .
urged the second girl.
Whats a little drenching?" scorned
Betty. Better come, too" She put her
foot on the gunwale at the instant of the
boats rise on the swell and sprang light
ly in. Here l am. JEAN"
"Well, Il" her male companion began.
Never mind, Mr.. Davis, see that you
are afraid Of a wetting. Push of, Jean"
The white duck skirt. one shoulder and
the back Of Betty's golden head were visi-
BILE to me. but the mast cut on the whole
vision of her. F1inging one arm over the
tiller, lighted my pipe and settled back,
awaiting developments.
I'm glad to get away from them. Jean,
just at this minute" she stated. after a
time: 'they exasperate me, they're so
afraid of a drop Of water"
She continued to look straight ahead.
talking over her shoulder. For my part,
remained silent: apparently she ex-
pected no reply, as she continued to main
tain her position In distracted contempla-
island, she lifted her head to the breeze
and cried:
"Point her up close and get out to sea- .
Then added. flippantly. stick her nose
"oui. ma'm'seile." said l. meelly.
"Closer!"
Obedient. as q sailor ever should be
under captains command. ! pointed the
boat into the eye of the wind. The sail
swung farther and farther In and stood
stiff as a sheet Of iron. Slap! A dash of
spray leaped high over the bow and sprin-
killed. us briskly.
"Jeanw
"Oui, mann seller
Its glorious-but I'm coming back"
I paid or the sheet and eased on the
tiller for expected q gust from another
direction when she should pass round the
mast and see me; to point up In two
winds at once was beyond my nerve.
Placing her hand on the mast and care
fully watching her footing. she moved
round the stick. balanced and dropped to
the seat just in front OF me without q
glance at her crew Of one.
II am here" she stated, with assured
confidence.
''Ah, MAINS elle."
Now point her
Whirling about. she cut of the sem
tence as with knife. She stared with
round blue eyes and parted lips. She was
the same lovely Betty. iovelier. in fact.
with stray locks blowing about her face.
her figure trim In white duck as q sailors
girl should be, and cheeks all aglow with
color.
II was about to propose that We tack
out to sea- said /.
''Charles-or his ghost! What are you
doing here?''
els that intended as q verdict Of disap-
probation?' / questioned.
II thought you were in Texas"
Even you, Betty. may err"
She gaxed at me speculatively, as she
would have done at q seal or q porpoise
had she suddenly discovered that such
sat in the stern steering the craft.
And you are here"
'"That n my present conviction"
ware n cowbOY.p