The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-04-03

| how in moment of emergency she
might run down the short flight Of
steps. get into the boat and emerge
through the swinging doors into the
lake.
Its all lovely" murmured Carol as
they walked through the pines toward
the little log house among the trees.
Its kind Of tidy little place." as
sented the captain as he unlocked the
front door I've heard say that out at
al his houses yoIr cousin Stephen
liked this best. Amt that just the
way? Millions of money, palaces to
i've in, and him coming way up here
to live in his log cabin and cook his
own meals. 1t does beat ALL
II wonder why"
I've heard that he had poor health
for awhile, and ne got well up here.
And he always said that his riches
WANT nothing without health Seems
like he valued health more than
money. You look kinder delikit your
SELF added the captain. looking with
| concern at the girls face. pale in the
gloom of the darkened house.
'I'll feel better after I've been here
a few days." laughed Carol. II
Cousin Stephen could regain his health
here. perhaps l can find mine also"
did you ever see your cousin.
Stephen Atwood?'
"Yes. once, A year ago he sent for
me to come to his Office. He ques-
ttopa1 mo nIocaIy hint H.. vnoda M ro-
mark upon my answers. ! never heard
from him afterward. Two months
ago heard Of his death in California.
and was notified that he had left
Pine island to me. thought 1t rather
CHASTITY joke at first, but there Is this
lovely little house, and. Captain Hus-
sey. I've great mind to stay here all
SUMMER! A pink color few into her
cheeks at the notion.
Never" gasped the captain. How
you live. miss?"
Maybe / could take woman board
err" said Carol hopefully. "I'll adver-
tise at once"
THAT amt Il bad idee.' muttered the
captain. IL think 1 know of some one
right now, Miss Halpin and her
nephew. They're artists. and they d
admire 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 Carol
I'll row over to the mainland tomor-
row and find out. If they want to come
III send in my resignation to the office
at once"
"I'll 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 ut 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 q
small fire WAS cracking on the living
room hearth just for the very homeli-
ness Of its blaze.
1t was fun 10 light the blue flame
oil stove in the kitchen and TO prepare
her evening rneal with the dainty
aluminium cooking utensils. From
Mrs lIuSScy'S generous basket there
came forth homemade bread and but
ter, preserves. cakes and pies. besides
groceries from the store.
The next morning Carol awoie feel
ing strangely strong and energetic.
She found everything so attractive thar
she WIS quite hewilderpd rs to what
TO 90 first. Should she satisfy her
longing To go ont ut once or remain in.
doors long enough to prepare at least
a semblance Of breakfast? She de-
cided OIL the latter course and flew
around doing her light housekeeping.
singing all the while. Then she dOnned
white linen sailor suit and duck
hat and went over to the mainland,
leaving Watch on guard.
On the village dock Carol met Cap.
tain Hussey with middle aged WON
an and a sunburned young man, whom
he introduced as her new boarders.
Miss Halpin aud her nephew, Gerald
Lane.
Together they went back to Pine is
land, and then began the most wonder
full summer in Carol Atwood's exist
ence. The island. which she had ut
Grst deemed n white elephant on her
hands, turned out to be treasure is
land indeed. for during those long days
Of free life under the pines Carol re-
covered her health-nay, she found
new health. for she became round and
rosy and sunburned and strong MS Il
young Indian maiden.
She found happiness as well as
health. How else could it have ended
with a beautiful girl like Carol and a
handsome. heart free youth like Gerald
Lane living there under the kindly
chaperonage of Miss Eugenia Halpin?
And the queerest thing of all was
that one day while Carol was rummag-
ing among some books Ia the living
room she found small tin dispatch
box bearing her own name on the out
side, and I'm the box was a letter ad.
dressed to her in grabbed handwrit-
ing which proved to be that Of her &C.
centric cousin, Stephen Atwood
And the letter told her that Stephen
Atwood believed her to be sensible
girl. and if she fulfilled that belief she
would seek Pine island To rernin her