Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14

"A hurry Then he ran following her foot
steps. She must have been gone sometime.
Once the footsteps wavered into where the
rpples had effaced them; but little farther
on he found them again, and finally they
turned toward the forest and were lost. He
called her name again and again; but re-
ceived no answer. Thoroughly alarmed, he
plunged into the woods, and flung himself
passionately through the thick tangle.
At first he imagined he was following her
trail by broken branch or twig here and
there; but he soon found himself rushing
aimlessly about through the thick forest.
He found himself climbing, however, and de
termined to make for the signal at the sum-
init of the principal hill on the island, as that
seemed to him the only possible objective
she might have. AS he rushed painting along
tearing his hands, face, and clothes in the
underbrush fear amounting almost to a
panic obsessed him. Was she, like her
neurological prototype, to turn into tree
and leave him alone just when he longed for
her most? The horrible silence burdened
him like the god of doom. He seemed
frightfully alone. Memories of incidents of
their stay upon this lfeless island raced
through his brain. Now that she was gone,
he realized how her presence had given him
courage and cheered his loneliness. Without
her the island was intolerable. He saw her
chatting bravely at the breakfast table or
exploring the ship with him. Once, on
whim, she had dressed herself in a smart
street gown, with parasol and gloves, and
he had donned a frock coat and high hat,
and they had taken an afternoon promenade
upon the beach. Another day they had
dined together in the cabin IN full evening
dress, and later had danced upon the moon
lit deck He had talked to her as he had
70
At last he found himself, painting and ex-
hausted, on the summit She was not there.
The flag still hung lifeless upon its staff. Far
below him on all sides lay the mot1onless sea.
No song of bird broke the stiffness. He
shouted, Daphne! Daphne! Speak to me!
Come to me! Daphne!" but his voice broke
the stiffness in vain. Almost sobb1ng from
physical and mental stress, he plunged down.
ward, alongside the brook toward the ship.
His knees trembled with WEAKNESS his feet
were wet with the water and bruised by the
rocks. Still downward he careened toward
the harbor. 1t was now nearly mldafter-
noon. The brook grew larger, and gllmpses
of the bay at last shone through the foliage
before him. Then he saw the cleaning yell
low beach and the ship. He was falling oc-
casionally now; but he painfully picked him
self up each time and pressed on.
SUDDENLY, on the sand, near the ship, he
- saw dark spot. 1t was Daphne, lying
huddled and motionless. With great sob
he cast himself upon her, falling on the sand
beside her and gathering her head in his
arms She was breathing family.
Daphne daring!' he sobbed. Daphne,
come back to me! | cannot live without
you! Daphne, my love, my love, listen!
Can YOU hear me?" He kissed her again and
again as she lay in his arms.
Presently she sighed and opened her eyes.
Her face was close to his.
ooh, Daphne, my love, he cried, Il have
found you! Listen! | have found the Sc
cret of the island! know the answer to all
those questions asked you about God and
the universe. 1t is-love! Love is behind
the stars and fills all voids. Love is life, and
with love our island shall be filled with life!
Listen Can't you hear the birds singing9'
A look of wonder and happiness crept into
the sweet face so near to his, filling it with
beauty as the color came back to her cheeks.
dyes, Brooke, / hear it, she murmured.
"The air is vibrant with music She sat up
and brushed her disarranged hair from her
forehead Her clothes, like his, were torn,
and he noticed where the thorns had brought
traces of blood to her hands. She shuddered.
ooh! the horror of it all! | felt was going
to die | couldn't stand it any longer. But
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