The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-13
THE EVENING STORY
When Neptune Interfered.
(By R. S. Phillips.)

reaching the island in record time.
| The little flag, fiuttering gaily where
her finger had tied it, irritated him,
and he put out hasty hand.
You need not dishonor old Glory
because you are angry with mel"
The words were like water on hot
iron, whetting his anger.
IT did not expect to find you here. "
st came for the same reason-and I
came first. have been here more
than two hours
Prior possession and an invitation
to vacate present surroundings were
voiced by the trite phrases. Ames
glanced at her quickly, and anger
famed more potently. She was so al
luringly beautiful, here in the glare of
autumn sunshine and turbulent sea,
bringing home the knowledge that it
was genuine loveliness, not an effect
of shaded lights and attractive gown
ing.
protested, stubbornly.
.Show your deed" she retorted,
coldly. This island was flung up by
the sea, and 1 have never heard of any
one disputing the claim of the waters.
Perhaps mine was an appeal to chiV
alrous courtesy that does not exist
in you at least
Crimson touched the healthy bronze
of his cheeks. Look here Trix, I
didn't come here to continue our quar-
REL
(Which implies that I did. I didn't
dream you were coming here, of all
places. However, it is large enough.
But am going back. The tide will be
coming in soon, and that shrinks the
area"
The slender white figure vanished
out of the line of present vision, and
Ames did not turn to look after her.
A recently returned betrothal ring
forbade active interest.
After an adequate interval of wait
ing he strolled toward the other beach.
When he raised moody eyes from the
pebble he was kicking lazily they en-
countered white figure silhouetted
against the blue. Far out on the
waters a canoe rocked provokingly.
Not fastened properly" he OBJ
about such details. You must let me
take you back to the hotel. Miss
West
Her smile was Jelly sweet. "When
you do go, you might tell Mr.. Ham
mond I am here and want him to
come for me-"
Under the goad of Hammond's name
Git had decorated Miss Vests dancing
program many times last night) he
became vehement.
You are going back with mel
q am going back with whom I
please-or stay here indefinitely" was
the decided answer.
She looked so small and dainty, to
be cared for tenderly instead of hurl-
ing defiance, Ames smiled sadly. But
the returned ring also forbade pro-
longed contention. He bowed gravely
and left her.
The tide was coming in Mild
whitecaps on the bay attested this. But
it seemed marvellous that any trick of
the tide could have brought a canoe
to the right about in such a short
time. Then came acute realizatio
1t was his canoe.
A quick solution of this problem was
necessary. The shore was beyond
-5,,,v, TO- Ise+a Nw,J- i
West frequented this tiny strip of sun
swept land, cast up by an ocean vol
cano in idle sport. 1t would be cold
when the September sun had vanished.
Her gown was summer white, the
waist filmy. Ruefully he reflected that
a thin serge coat afforded little protec-
ton against chilling breezes.
Consultation being imperative. he
went grimly back to the other shore.
MY canoe has gone, too he ven
tured
Not fastened properly" was the
Sphynx-like reply.
But. Miss West, this is serious
There is no time for clubbing. We
are marooned on this island
81 expected to be-" came the calm
answer. But she shivered slightly,
and he knew that she was troubled.
You must take my coat" he said,
gently placing it about her shoulders.
1t was shaken off impatiently.
ct have not asked your assistance"
"You must have it, Trix. You are
getting chilled And you must talk
over the situation Look at the tide.
have never seen it so aggressive"
Another fact intruded suddenly. 1t
was not only the tide. Usually high
and dry places on the small margin of
shore were being submerged. The
island was sinking!
Out of the shining white caps
bobbed her canoe, the influx of water
bringing it gradually nearer. 1t was
their only hope. He kicked off his
light shoes and went gamely out to |
capture it.
will be drowned
Every muscle tense, the girl raced |
to the edge of the encroaching waves. |
Then the reason of this apparent |
The waters were coming to claim |
their own
ITS all my fault-mine.' she
whispered, with dry sob. eff |
hadn't been so stubborn and foolish |
he would have managed long ago.
Aeons, apparently. she stood strain
ing her eyes into the dazzle of the
sunset. while a determined swimmer
drew nearer and nearer the elusive |
canoe. When he finally grasped it,
an ardent cheer rose to her lips
Closer came the crawling death. but
that was not in her mind How petty
how trifling, was the slight misun-
derstanding that doomed so large an
hour ago.
The breeze had freshened so much
it was not possible for Ames expert |
canoeist that he was to gain the dry
interior of his rocking captive. But
fortune favored-now he was swim
ming with the tide. When he dared
waste strength on shoreward glance
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