The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-24
ISLAND cAsTAwAYs
BY cLARISSA MAckIE.

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Copyright. 1918 by the Mcclure Newspa-
Der Syndicate)
The lake steamer touched at Pine
island and left solitary passenger
q decidedly pretty young woman. who
carried q suitcase and umbrella.
Mona Fairlee walked down the long
pier to the shore. where the red
shingled roof of the Bensons' summer
camp peeped through the surrounding
pine trees.
She reached the cottage and stood
amazed to discover that doors and
windows were closely suffered. Pine
camp had every appearance of being
closed for the season. although it was
only the first Of August.
Something must have happened to
change the summer plans of the Ben
sons. who were distant cousins of
Mona.
What shall I do?" asked Mona in
for there was no way of reach
ing the mainland except by boat.
III it hadn't been for Dick Master
son" Mona paused and bit her lip,
back the tears. How hate
him!" she sobbed passionately.
It was the old story Of lovers
quarrel and q hasty parting. Mona
had written long letter to Edith Ben
son and followed the letter herself,
seeking refuge from the world in the
solitude of Pine island. said solitude"
being enlivened by the gay doings of
the inhabitants of the group of little
islands that dotted the lovely Maine
lake. Now, with the Bensons away,
she must return home, where she
might meet Dick at any moment.
Mona was growing hungry. She
walked disconsolately down to the
strip Of beach that bordered the island
On the western shore. where one had
a clear view of miles of unbroken wa
ter, she came to halt and stared de-
lightedly. A small fire of driftwood
and pine cones burned cheerfully over
a circle of stones. On the stones were
five lake t. out broiled a delicious
brown. A gray coat was thrown on
the sand and near by was a fishing
rod There was no one in sight.
How good they smelled! How hun
gV she was! Il may not have an
other bite to eat until tomorrow"
thought Mona, throwing all precepts
to the winds. III he were here l am
sure he would share them with me-
and yet l don't want anyone to know
I'm here. He can catch more" She
salved her conscience with this,
thought. as she bit into the juicy brown
and white tenderness.
The afternoon wore on. Great clouds
piled up in the northwest. and there
was q distant grumble of thunder.
Mona was afraid Of thunder storms.
There came a long, rumbling roll Of
thunder and she fed % the front We
randa Of the cottage. where she
sought q sheltered corner and sat dis
consolately ON her suit case with her
spread protectingly over her.
Lightning flashed intermittently;
thunder rolled heavily. The sound Of
footsteps mingled with the noise Of
the storm. They reached the veranda.
paused for a moment, and then came
around to her sheltered corner.
We'll, by Jove!"
The muttered ejaculation told Mona
that she had been discovered. She
dropped her umbrella and looked up
into the face Of the fisherman whose
dinner she had eaten.
He was not an Unlocking young
man. On the contrary. the gray coat
covered broad shoulders above which
rose q strong, brown throat and Q head
undeniably handsome. He was look.
ing down at Mona's pale, frightened
face with Quizzical eyes.
so 1t was you!" he laughed softly.
A wave of color famed into Mona g
cheeks. Il was hungry" she explained
meekly. III had known l would have
starved first!"
But they we're good-they must
have been mighty good-they smelled
delicious" he said, regretfully.
Mona turned pretty shoulder and
stared out at the pouring rain.
I'm sure | wouldn't intrude-only
there is no other shelter on the
island" he went on apologetically.
The veranda is large" suggested
Mona coldly.
"Of COURSE will go-I beg your
pardon" he said huffily.
At that instant there came a hiss
ing shrek of white fame that played
up and down the trunk of the white
pine tree, and with It came a crash
ing peal of thunder. Mona screamed
with fear.
The fisherman gathered Mona into
strong arms. Are you hurt. darling?"
was his astonishing question.
And Mona, half fainting with fright.
seemed not to resent the familiarity.
Her golden head dropped on the shout
der Of the fisherman and her lips muir
INJURED q negative.
What are you doing here, Dick?"
she asked family.
II have an ideai' said Dick slowly,
that Edith received your letter yes
terday. and, conceiving the idea OF
bringing about a reconciliation be-
tween US, wired me to come up. Then
they left us marooned on the island,
and-well. It happened Just as she
planned! Here they come now, two
boatloads! Let us 90 down to the
pier and meet them"
The sun was shining when they
reached the end Of the pier. Two
boatloads Of merrymakers from the
water carnival came laughing up the
steps. Edith Benson met the two cast.
Always with outstretched hands and
questioning, mischievous eyes.