Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-06-23

aeo I heard Of his death In California,
and was notified that he had left
Pine island to me. I thought 1t rather
a CHASTITY joke at first, but there Is this
lovely little house, and, Captain Hus-
sey, I've a great mind to stay here all
SUMMER A pink color few into her
cheeks at the notion.
"Neverv' gasped the captain. How'd
you live, miss?"
maybe 1 could take woman board
er," said Carol hopefully. "Tll adver-
tise at once"
"That amt bad idee," muttered the
captain. 81 think I 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 'em? They're
stopping at the Benner House, and
you know what that isp'
III you only would, dear Captain
Husseyw cried the delighted Carol.
"Ill row over to the mainland tomor-
row and find out. If they want to come
I'll send in my resignation to the office
at once"
"Ill 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 homeli-
ness Of its blaze.
1t was fun 10 light the blue flame
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 attractive that
she was quite bewildered as to what
| to do first. Should she satisfy her
| longing to go out mt once or remain in
doors long enough to prepare ut least
semblance Of q breakfast? She de-
cided on the latter course and flew
around doing her light housekeeping.
singing all the while. Then she dOnned
q white linen sailor suit and duck
hat and went over to the mainland,
leaving Watch Oh guard.
On the village dock Carol met Cap
tain Hussey with middle aged WON
an and sunburned young man, whom
he introduced as her new boarGcrS.
| 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 Atwood's exist
ence The island. which she had NJ
Grst deemed white elephant on her
| hands. turned out to be Il treasure is
land indeed. for during those lon- day:
| of free life under the pines Carol +,
covered her hPalth-nay. she found!
| new health. for she became round am
rosy and sunburned and strong as {"
| young Indian maiden.
l. She found happiness rs we'll Il:
health. How else couid it have endc !
with II beautiful girl like Carol and II
| handsome. heart free youth like Gernl
Lane living there under the kindly
chaperonage OF Miss Eugenia IIalpin:
And the q,teerest thing Of all was
| that one day while Carol wus running.
| ing among some books in the living
| roOm she found small tin dispatch
| box bearing her own name on the ont
side, and In the box was q letter nd
| dressed to her in Il grabbed handwrlt-
ing whi, h proved TO be that of her c.
centric cousin. Stephen Atwood
And the letter told her that stephen
| Atwood believed her to be Il =, nsibc
| girl and il she fulfilled that belief she
would seek Pine island Ia regain her
| health, and in the course of time she
would find this letter. which dc Jared
that. while health was greater than
wealth, q blending OF each was dcsir-
able in this world. so Carol would lind
| placed to her credit I'm certain city
bank the sum Of $4,000, and the bank
| book was there to prove It.
Pine island Is the summer home Of
Gerald and Carol Lane, and to them
zach year comes their aunt, Miss Hal
| Tin, who loves to tell visitors OF the TO-
nance woven into the story Of & =
island, while she reproduces its beau
ues on canvas.