The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-26
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.

Literary Press
Tommy Dewitt managed by living
frugaily in summer to pay his win
rer's expenses al college. As soon
as the school year closed, Tommy
was off for parts unknown. and IT
would have interested his friends
nightly III they cousd have seen him
living like Robinson Crusoe on sn is-
land OF the coast OF Maine. catching
his own FISH, setting mis- own lobster
pots, planting vegetables in a tiny
garden and making chowdsr out OF
handful of CLAIMS. two potatoes and
an onion.
That the result of the last-nsmed
recipe was appetiying was proved by
the fact THAI four people landing on
the beach from a motor boat shifted
with appreciation.
Its a clambake~ said the young
est of the crowd, a girl in a white
serge suit with a short blue REFER.
"Oh. I'm so glad, for am starved"
Further progress showed Are
with small iron pot set over the
Goals. A savcry steam rose from the
pot.
But there isn't much OF IT., said
the girl
who's been eating my soup, ="
quoted a gay voice, and around the
corner of q sandhill came Tommy.
oh" said the four intrudsrs. star
ing. And well might they stare, for
while Tommy lived like Robinson
Crusoe, he wore a snowy white MILDLY
blouse and white trousers, his fair
hair was brushed up IRON his fore
head and shone in the sunlight. and
his strong young figure showed the
effect OF good training and outdoor
Sports.
We don't mean to. intrude," said
the oldest lady Of the crowd. but
we are exploring tae islands; We
didn't know this one was inhabited,
And there's something the matter
with our boat" said the girl in the
blue REFER. and being women. We
don't know how 70 fix IL"
Delighted" said poor Tommy.
aa,,t hone you're not keen for
chowder. There's only a taste You
see, cook for on-; but such as IL
liz. it's yours.
He busted himself in serving the
simple meal. And while he WORKED
he listened. The girls name, re dis
covered. was thvfSH&.
Tommys blood was oiue so p'ue
that II had taken great fortunes TO
i've ND 10 the family name. and poor
Tommy was the last-with an IN
herttsnca only Of a sense of humor ana
A signet ring
The ring gave him away. for the
girl glanced at 1t. as he hlled a NJ
tie blue bowl with ehowder anu
' WHY She said. Jean Dewitt has
a ring like that
shes nv cousin sa Id tommy
The others at once became ara
etous The Dewitts were not 10 ee
ignored.
: you ,eYtiay Tying the simple aife
said the oldest dame whose name
Tammy nodded IT'S grea.." he
said. "If you will stay Tor supper
we'll have broiled ash and baked pc.
tatoes, and there's some lettuce ier'
In my garden"
Now Tommy issued this invitation,
not because Of Miro. Griggs and her
kind. but for the sake OF the girl In
the blue REFER.
Wen stay" said the girl. III you II
Ak our boat
ALI that afternoon Tommy tinkered
and the girl watched him while the
three elderly ladies took a nap in
the warm sand.
Then Tommy Went out and caught
a fish. and broiled 1t over the Goals
And I'm sorry TO tell you, ladies',
he said as he served II, that your
boat isn't mended. and that you Will
have to make yourselves comfortable
for the night"
They looked at him in dismay--sli
but the girl. She mashed a glance at
Tommy. and he flashed one back. ana
then he said to the ladies' 9rave,y'
Il shall be glad to offer you the hos
pitaiity Of my tent. In the morning
boat stops here with provisions
You can leave on that"
Since there was nothing else to be
done. they consented. and after the
Ash was eaten Tommy and the girl
walked down the beach until the
stars came out. ana they could just
see the long white line OF the break
ers against the blackness.
They talked Of many things: and
Tommy lay awake half the night,
wond erins how he had believed that
life was worth living until now, =,
He slept on the other side Of the
sandhill from the tent. and walked at
dawn. After . plunge IN the sea. he
went forth in his snowy white suit
to face the sunrise.
The girl was up and came down to
the beach to meet him In the still
ness OF the wonderful morning.
The sea il like pearl" she whts-
pered. and the sky like an opal"
Tommy was breathing quickly
Look here" he said. 'The boa.
comes early. and before II comes I'vs,
got something to say TO you--some-
thing to say--to you
She smiled up Mt him frankly.
~ onk herA" ha snfd - rain svoutrA