Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-10-15

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and arms. Altogether she was a IT
prise to Martin Scott, who, even II he
didn't care for girls at all, had pictured
the maidens of Farland and Bayberry
island as rustic beauties cast In a
coarser mold than this dainty speci-
men.
Then a light broke over his befud-
died brain. OF course this charming
girl was some city visitor to the place
"a summer girl-of the tribe he pro-
fessed to scorn.
The girl addressed him without hest
tation.
"Mr. Scott9' she asked briskly.
"Why-er-yes," he replied.
"You wanted to go to Bayberry is
land?"
Eyes. l suppose you come from
Captain Billy?"
The girl glanced sharply at him and
Redeemed under Der becoming coat of
tan.
"This is Captain Billy Valentines
boat" she said In a curious tone, and
she stepped aside while Martin car
ried down his traps and slowed them
away In the stern sheets.
In FIVE minutes the little boat was
nosing out of the harbor's mouth and
heading toward q blue speck five miles
off shore.
Martin Scott, watching the slim
brown hands on the brass trimmed
wheel, was conscious Of some regret
OF the speed they were making.
The spray flew under the sharp bow,
and the salt sting of it was refreshing
after the months of city atmosphere.
He threw back his shoulders and drew
in deep breaths Of the invigorating air.
"This is living!" he said involunta-
rily, and the girl turned her head and
nodded assent.
"If you haven't been on Bayberry
before you'll have to find a boarding
place." she said courteously.
"Oh, my friend Andy Davis said
Captain Billy would fix that up for
me-" Martin fastened to say. Per
haps you've met Mr.. DavisT"
The girl busted herself owe the
wheel. but Martin thought he detected
q sudden dimple at the corner of her
mouth 1t vanished instantly, and
she was charmingly grave once MORE.
"Oh, yes; I've met Mr.. Davis" she
said, with assumed carelessness. "But
l don't think he mentioned a boarding
place in his letter"
"The deuce he didn't beg your
pardonl What shall l do?"
Perhaps Mrs. Hailes will let you
have her spare bedroom. On Bayberry
island we do not take boarders, but we
accommodate people whenever we can
get them" The girl laughed melodi-
ously, and Martin Joined her.
'Then If Mrs. Hailes will accommo-
date me / presume | need look no fur
Their for q boarding placer"
"You cannot find a better one. I
took the liberty of warning her that I
might bring her a guest, and she said
she would have breakfast ready when
we landed. She spoke of broiled mack
eral and corn cakes" she ended de-
murely.
Martin shifted the air hungrily. "I
can almost smell 'em now," he limited,
"and coffee I'll bet Mrs. Hailes can
make coffee!"
at is perfect, and she can conduct
a clambake that is a clambake," laugh
ed the girl.
ut was most kind of you to take the
trouble to look out for me-" said Mar
tin. II understood Andy to say that
Captain Billy would provide a place"
Captain Billy is a very busy cap
tain"
"Ha, the kind Of an old salt that is in
great demand, eh? 1 wonder If he
would take me tishingT
Undoubtedly"
"Good. Now I suppose those are the
rocks Andy spoke about He limited
that If a gale blew up I might be ma
rooned on this island for a week with
out a daily newspaper unless Captain
Billy ventured to the mainland after
it"
Mr.. Davis seemed to have a great
deal to say about Captain Billy" said
the girl rather stifly as the boat shot
In between two long arms that in
closed a tiny harbor.
Martin was silent. For some reason
she did not care to discuss Captain Bill
~ Valentine. Perhaps he was her IA
Their or her brother or her uncle. But
perish the thought! This dainty girl
could not be related TO a tarry old sea-
dog such as Martin believed Captain
Billy to be.
They made a landing in silence, and
Martin found a boy to carry some of
his luggage to the cottage of Mrs.
Hailes, while he shouldered the re.
mainder.
"Whom nm I to pay for the trip
acrossT" be asked the girl
"You may pay me-" she said coolly.
1.-TWO dollars, If you please. Thank
you. ] hope you will find Mrs. Hailes'
entirely satisfactory as a boarding
pIoooU Che poHdoI COL -ro- ...55a-.