Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-21

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law are among the uncertain quaint.
ties of life but they had at least left
the boat.
She put her light weight Jap suit
case into it, pushed off into the
water, and rowed over to the island.
Deserted it was, and the little
house also, but the door was hos
pitably :ajar, and she found every,
thing withini in order. Surely 1t
was pleasant to be the expected
guest. Out in the little pantry she
found the remains of some cold
boiled lobster and made herself q
pot of tea. Maud used good tea. With
a supper tray beside her, she slipped
out of the travelling suit into a short
skirt and MILDLY. dragged steamer
chair to enjoy herself
1t was twilight, but the only light
she had was from Chinese lantern
hanging overhead handily. And
the six miles began to tell on her. As
the last CLEAN Of sunset died from
the sky she sdrowsed off restfully,
curled up in the big chair.
Perhaps It was the striking of the
match that awakened her. Something
did, and she sat up, startled and be-
wildered for the moment. Somebody
was moving around inside and whist
ling
''Oh, George, are you homer" she
called. "Is Maud there?"
Dead silence. She stood up, listen
ing. A figure came out Of the living
room, the figure Of man, and she
felt, he was as thoroughly amazed as
herself.
'1'm not George, = he said r. think
there's some mistake. l am Fallows."
i, But where's George. Mr.. Crane and
my sister, Kate put her hand up to
her cheek "They expected me tonight
and can't find them. IL was awfully
tired and fell asleep"
II see you did. expect Mr.. Crane
is over. on Turtle Island, about a
quarter of mile farther along the
shore This is my island. Just wait
until I get light and we can see."
He struck a match and lit lamp
She saw him plainly now, tall, with
reddish brow curly hair, gray eyes,
and a rather boyish face, the face OF
the good-natured freckled boy who Is
always in trouble at school. 1t was
Hartley Fallows. And. oddly enough,
instead Of thinking about Maud ana
Georges worry over her, she remem-
bered it had been a blonde hair.
III take you right over there he
said quickly II hope you made your
self comfortable
Very It was a good lobster" she
said forlornly, putting back her be-
|longings into her suitcase. I'm aw-
fully sorry. But you do make things
pleasant for your unexpected guests
here" s,GE 49,. Tire Sc
81 say. If the trips too much for
YOU I'D there, I'll row over and send
George back with Mrs. Crane to stay
here with you, and we'll bunk up
there"
ard much rather. wouldn't feel
$3.50 sort of evicted, don't you know.
II would almost seem as If had been
welcome. I think it's bad luck to move
so soon after you're settled, don't
you"
Laughing and yet wistful, she ap-
pealed to him wonderfully, and he
made the trip alone, reused George
out of bed and sent him back with
Maud, sleepy and anxious, but over
loved to find the lost one.
II was three weeks later when they
broke camp for the city. There had
been last bonfire of driftwood on
Turtle Island. and Kate fingered be-
side it with Fallows after the others
had gone up to one Of Maud's chatting
dish surprises. He had grown almost
human, Maud said, had come to see
them every day and sometimes twice,
and Hates dark eyes held new
look these days.
WAS l such bear that first
night?" he asked
"Goldenhair should expect a bear
when she comes unannounced,' she
answered only I haven't golden
hair"
Il love brown hair he said dream
lily. Gypsy hair" :.
"The other was blond, remember"
She lifted her face teasingly, yet half
in earnest, and Fallows took his
chance.
1T belonged to my little niece. Bet
ty Fallows. I'll take her to see you
the first day you're in town just to
prove it. had dined there that night
and held her on my knee, oh, and you
have held that against me-kate,
Kate"
Maud came to the door in the glow
of light and called
Aren't you two ever coming up!
It's all ready
Kate he urged, ''you do care,
don't you?"
Kate laughed softly.
I'm glad you prefer brown hair
Hartley she said.