The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-11
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
NaMsnAner SNndicate.l

/ (Copyright. 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)
| John Deland. shooting over the
! marshes of the Chesapeake, gave
himself up to the spell of sky and sea
and wide spaces. He had been smut
|up for so many years in a stuHy iittie
Office. making his way in the world.
rising from the poverty OF an orphan
country boy to some emlnence as a
lawyer in a big city.
/ And now he was shooting ducks
without a thought of business cares.
"A fortunate investment had made him
rich.
He did not look like a millionaire,
however in his canvas shooting coat
and soft hat, nor did he feel like one
"Three ducks and couple Of
birds ne said TO the man who rowed
his boat Wen have them for sup
per. West"
cook them" he promised, and II you
want oysters, there's plenty for a
Deland laughed. I'm as hungry
as a hear---let's so in, so that Mrs
West can begin"
West rowed the boat slowly. The
sun had set, and the stretches of bay
to the east were Swallowed by purple
mists TO the west the marshes lay
tnged with faint silver in the after
glow,
John took off his hat and barred his
forehead As his eyes swept the marsh
ne leaned forward West" he asked
quickly. what's that white thing over
there beyond the point?"
That" West turned-"thats the
Marsh Girl--she lives with her old
aunt in a shanty at the Point No
body knows anything about her. She
just slips out in her boat and fishes
Il la tsev
after the sun is down. The darkies
around the place are afraid of her
They think she's a spirit
As the girl came closer Deland did
not wonder at the awe of the negroes
Floating silently, the boat seemed to
carry a supernatural passenger The
! Girl of the Marsh was dressed in
white; her features, blurred in the
dimness gave a hint OF wonderful
beauty.
/ The boats passed each other. and
the girl went out into the night as ST.
lently as she had come.
When she had disappeared John
Deland drew a long breth. Strange"
he said, 'to find such woman in this
place.
While his supper was cooking John
Deland sat on the porch with Vests
two dogs at his feet. and gave him.
self up to the thoughts OF the moment
/ Even as he thought of her she came
out Of the shadows. The dogs stood
up. watching. their tails family wag-
lging a welcome. John stood up, too
and saw that she was running,
My aunt" she gasped, lis very i'll
must have some one--at once"
1 John opened the door and called to
West There's something the mat
ter at the little house on the point
/ the aunt is i'll. I'm run straight on"
Even as he finished speaking the
girl had turned and was flying back
/ The dogs tore after John as he fol-
lowed her.
/ When / reached home" the girl
painted, II found my aunt on the floor
+ I lifted her to the couch, but she could
not speak"
/ The old woman lay on the couch,
! her eyes wide open. her face drawn
John bent over her. She mustn't be
moved" he said. Make her as COM
| Portable as you can. I'm going to have
West go to town for a nurse, This
/ isn't case for YOU"
/ The girl drew him out into the hall
lis she very ill?"
She has had a stroke" John said
gently. she Will need some one who
understands how to take care of her
eXpertly; that's why l want you TO
have a nurse"
The girls lip auivered. Butt
can't afford a nurse
/ we won't talk of that" said John
I"You must let me be neighborly."
! West came soon with his wife, and
turned into a hospital. Mrs West
sent the men back to supper with in
/ functions to bring her something TO
eat