The Washington times., 1913-01-18
CHAPTER XI.
The Man on The Island.


TWAS awakened by a cry OF deligh,
from Mariposa. sat up in the
boat and looked stupidity around
me, for after the mingled dreams
and realities of the night, this awaken
ing confused my senses for q while.
The boat was drifting in q thin. calm
loch. between ranges Of mountains that
rose almost straight from the water 8
edge to the clear, cold sky OF Dawn.
Ahead of us were several rocky islets,
beyond which the loch widened consid-
erably. Mariposa stood In the bow with
her hands clasped, and her eyes shining
with delight.
To me it was ghostly country, per
haps because 1t was new to my eyes
and unexpected to my mind The islets
seemed fairylike and hung in the air
the water around US was smooth ana
black; and all was SO still that could
hear Marfposa's breathing as the frosty
mist broke from her lips. There was no
sunlight where We were. the mountains
to the right hiding 1t from all but the
tips of the hills. Away over our heads
a shaft Of rosy flame played on the
peaks and made them glow like wet
colors. Patches Of snow and icicles
cleaned on bald orags. and the warm
light crept downward like slow blush
no wind stirring. or even . ruffle on the
loch, the cold hurt US little. / was stin
when ! stood up, but that soon passed,
and presently 1 had a longing to reach
land and run a league or two. All my
pains. all my sorrow, were gone IN
moment, as a bad dream might disap-
pear In sunshine. Here was peace and
a country that was as new to me as IL
II had been America: the air touched
my veins like wine, yet cleared my
brain; the sky was cloudless and Of
pale opal which richly set on the GRIM
soning world; besides me was Mari
posa, and / was as hungry as wolf.
In that moment l wondered why
should enjoy living SO much. and why
the weary terrors Of yesternight should
now appear so small. But there was
Mariposa. and there was the clear dawn,
and hunger's necessity awoke every
fiber to life.
'Mariposa," I said, st Is splendid"
She said nothing, but her face flushed
with pleasure and she drew deep
breath. Then she dropped on her knees,
and. putting her chin on the edge OF the
"Oh, Rorie" she cried Il can see my
self as IL II was you"
I'm no so bonny," ! asserted.
She turned her head and eyed me.
But ye will improve. Rorie." she said
archly.
/ took one of the oars and began can't
ing the boat toward one of the islets.
Mariposa cried Stop
When asked her what might be the
matter, she cried:
"Ye will have broken my looking
glass-but 1 liked myself fine" she add
ed whimsically.
The boat wabbled nearer and nearer
to the islet The waters became green,
and we could hear the soft, slow ripple
on the gravelIy shore. Mariposa sat
looking at the now broken water with
eyes. Presently she said
"Rorie, i am not like other women"
At this unexpected remark, l stopped
j assured her that she was like
no other woman on earth.
But why are not all women alike?'
she asked. ..-...-
II will no ken myself" 7 said. a bit
staggered. Some, ye see, have straight
noses and some has noses that turn
up. Many have poor teeth II they have
good noses. Some, again. have red hair
and. maybe, will be altogether hand
some, yet not bonny."
rs my nose turn-up. Rorie?'
NO. lass. II will be straight
My hair Is black-is II no?''
Black as-like yon deep water
That's bonny black" she said. re-
fectively- Are my eyes the same?"
"Aye-no. Like the shallow water
here"
A Continuation of This story VIII
Be Found In Tomorrow
issue Of The Times,