The state herald., 1913-05-30


from the incoming waves rose high in
the air a rainbow formed itself in
the fieeting mist. It was a fairy pic-
ture. repeating itself two or three
times. no more.
That's my symbol Of hope" said
Aleck quite impersonally. to anybody
who chose to hear.
Mr.. Chamberlain turned to Aleck
with his ready courtesy. mot the only
one you have received. / hope. on this
charming voyage"
Madame Reynier was ready with her
pleasant word. Aren't we all sym
bols for you-if not of hope. then Of
your success as hostf We've lost
our aches and our pains. our nerves
and our troubles; all gone overheard
from the Sea Gull
You're all tremendously good to
me. / know that" said Aleck. his
slow words coming with great sin
certify.
Melanie kept silence. but she re-
membered the rainbow.
The headland was the landward end
Of a small island. one part OF which
was thickly wooded. A large unused
house stood In clearing. evidently
once rather pretentious summer resi-
dence. though now there were many
signs Of dilapidation. The pier on the
beach had been almost entirely beaten
down by storms. and a small, fiimsy
slip had taken Its place. running far
down into the water. A thin line Of
smoke rose from the chimney Of one
Of the outbuildings; and while they
looked and listened the raucous cry
Of a peacock came to them over the
still water. Presently Chamberlain
suggested:
Il feel It In my bones that there'il
be Holsters over there to be had for
the asking. heard your man say he
wanted Holsters. Van: and believe
I'll row over there and see. I'm feel.
ing uncommonly ft and need some ex.
ercise."
"All right. I'll go too," said Aleck.
I'll bet bouquet that / beat you
rowing over-Miss Reynier to furnish
the bouquet" was Chamberlain's next
proposition. DO you agree to that.
my ladyf"
And pray. where should get .
bouquet!
''Oh. the next time we get on land.
And we won't put up with any old bou.
quet OF juniper bushes and rocks.
either We want good. oid-tash.
ioned round bouquet Of garden posies.
with mignonette round the edge and q
rose In the middle; sure-enough
token OF festeem--that kind OF thing.
you know. IL II q bargain. Miss Rey.
nier!"
Very well. It 10 a bargain" agreed
Melanie: but shall choose bachelors'
buttons!"
So they took tho tender and got Oh.
with a great show OF exactness A. TO
time and strictness Of rules. Madame
Reynier was to hold the watch. and
Aleck was to wave a white handker.
chief the minute they touched sand.
Mr.. Chamberlain was to give q like
signal when they started back. The
yacht slowed down and held her place
as nearly A. possible.
Chamberlain pulled a great oar, and
was. In fact, far superior to Aleck In
point OF skill; but his stroke was not
well adapted to the choppy waves In.
shore. Tie had learned II on the
sleepy Cam. where the long. gliding
blade counts best. The men stayed
ashore a long time. disappearing en-.
tireiy beyond the ciump OF trees that
screened the outbuildings. When they
reappearcd. an old man was with
them. following them down to the
boat. Then tho white handkerchief
appeared. and the boat started on It's
return.
Aleck proflted by Chamberlain
work. and made tho boat leap forward
by n shorter. almost jerk. stroke. He
came back easily with nvc i.:inutes to
spare.
Good work." said Mr.. Chamber.
lain. You have mo beaten. and you'll
get the bachelors buttons; but you
had tho tide with you"
''Nonscnsei had tho Holsters OK.
trai" asserted Alcck.
We'll. n you had been born nm Eng.
limhnyhn. we'd make mn onrrmnn out
OF YOU yeti"
"Huhi" said Alcck.
But they had news TO tell the ladies'.
and while they were having their
dinner their thoughts were turned to
ANOTHER matter. The island. II mp.
penred, had for some years been nban.
donod by itn owner. aud itH only I'm.
habitnnt was n gray and grizzly old
man. known to the region M tho hor.
init. Iis fancy was to keep light
burning always by night In tho land.
ward window Of his cabin. no mr. 10
warn snilorp on the dangerous bend.
lnnd. There was no lighthouse In the
vicinity. and BY a kindly consent tho