Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-12
The Daily Story
c.poI,s IsIAND-BY CLARIssA MACKIE.


81 wonder why"
1--WE heard that he had Door h,.,n
for awhile. and he got well up -.
And he always said that his rieb.-
want nothing without health sesr.
like he valued health more a.
money. You look kinder delikit wee.
self" added the captain, looking rts
concern at the girls face. pale N ~
gloom OF the darkened house.
"I'II feel better after I've been bs-.
n few days" laughed Carol =,
Cousin Stephen could regain his heass
here, perhaps l can find mine also
did you ever see your cous.
stephen AtwoodF
Yes. once. A year ago he sen. q.
me to come TO his Office He auas
toned me closely. but he made no n.
mark upon my answers. never hezrs
from him afterward. Two mop.,,
ago | heard Of his death in Califorp,,
and | was notified that he had lef,
Pine island TO me. l thought IT raths,
a ghastly joke at first, but there il mi,
lovely little house. and. Captain Hus
sey. I've a great mind to stay here an
SUMMER \ pink color few into he,
cheeks at the notion.
Never gasped the captain. "Hova
you live, miss? 2"
Maybe ! could take woman board.
err" said Carol hopefully. I'll adver
tise at once
THAT amt bad idee." muttered The
captain. 81 think I know OF some on.
right now, Miss Halpin and her
nephew. They're artists. ana theyd
admire a green little spot like this
Want me to speak to EN-: They're
stopping at the Benner House. and
you know what that is
IF you only would. dear Captain
Hussey" cried the delighted Carl
"I'H row over 10 the mainland toner
row and find out. If they want to come
I'll send in my resignation TO the ofies
at once"
'IIl see about it soon's get ashore
promised the captain as he departed
Carol felt very much alone rs she
went all over the little house, with
Watch trotting patiently at her heels
She found the log cabin furnished
plainly, but with every comfort for
snug housekeeping and lazy enjoy
ment Soon every window was wide
open to the pine scented breeze and
small fire was cracking on the living
room hearth just for the very homeIi
ness of its blaze.
1t was fun to light the blue fame
oil stove in the kitchen and to prepare
her evening meal with the dainty
aluminium cooking utensils. From
Mrs. Hussey's generous basket there
came forth homemade bread and but
ter, preserves. cakes and pies, besides
groceries from the store.
The next morning Carol awoke feel
ing strangely strong and energetic
She found everything so attractirethat
she was quite bewildered as to What
to do first. Should she satisfy her
longing to go out at once or remain in
doors long enough TO prepare at least
a semblance of a breakfast? She de-
cided on the latter course and few
around doing her light Housekeeping
singing all the while. Then she donned
a white linen sailor suit and duck
hat and went over to the -inainland,
leaving Watch on guard.
On the village dock Carol met Cap
tain Hussey with n middle aged won
an and a sunburned young man, whom
he introduced as her new boarders
Miss Halpin and her nephew, Gerald
Lane.
Together they went back to Pine Is
land. and then began the most WONDER
full summer in Carol Atwoods exist
ence. The island, which she haa ~
FIRST deemed a white elephant on nef
hands. turned out to be treasure
land indeed, for during those long days
of free life under the pines Carol re-
covered her health-nay, she founa
new health. for she became rounh asu
rosy and sunburned and strong As
young Indian maiden.
She found happiness as Wen ~
health How else could 1t have enuea
with a beautiful girl like Carol anu
handsome, heart free youth like 1efsu
Lane living there under the Sinng
chaperonage OF Miss Eugenia Haipla'
And the queerest thing OF all was
that one day while Carol was rummas'
ing among some books In tne h'ns
room she found a small Tin dlspapeH
box bearing her own name on the ou,'
side, and in the box was letter Au'
dressed to her in Grabbed hanaNi"
ing which proved to be that oil hef &
centric cousin. Stephen Atwood
And the letter told her that s'epn.A
Atwood believed her 70 he sehs's
girl. and if she fulfilled that beiiei ~
would seek Pine island to regain ".
health, and in the course Of time ~
would find this letter, which decis'
that. while health was greater 'ls.
wealth. blending of each was ues
able in this world. 50 Carol wouiu n.s
placed to her credit in certain ~
bank the sum of $4,000. and tue os">
book was there To prove it. ,
Pine island is the summer hoins
Gerald and Carol Lane. and 10 'n.
each year comes their aunt. MISS n~
pin. who loves 10 tell visitors oil INV ~
nance woven into the story .,
island. while she reproduceS its va
ties on canvas.