The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-21
ISLAND CASTAWAYS
BY cLARIssA mAcKle.

a decidedly pretty young "ohi'
carried a suitcase and umbreila.
Mona Fairlee walked down the iohs
pier to the shore. where the ie
sbineled roof of the Bensons' summer
camp peeped through the SURROUNDING
pine trees. ..ood
She reached the cottage and stooo
amazed to discover that doors anu
windows were closely shuttereo. ne
camp had every appearance OF peins !
closed for the season, although II was
only the first of August.
Something must have happened u
change the summer plans OF the oen.
sons. who were distant COUSINS VI
Mona. ;.
what shall l do?" asked Mona III
dismay, for there was no way OF reach-
ing the mainland except by BOAT
"If II hadn't been for Dick Master
SON" Mona paused and bit her up
fighting back the tears. How nate
him!" she sobbed passionately.
II was the old story of lovers
quarrel and a hasty parting. Mona
had written a long letter to Edith Ben
son and followed the letter herseh'
seeking refuge from the world IN the
| solitude of Pine island, said "solituoe
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 out broiled a delicious
brown. A gray coat was thrown on
the sand and near by was fishing
rod. There was no one in sight
How good they smelled! How hun
CRY she was! Il may not have an
other bite to eat until tomorrow
thought Mona, throwing all precepts
to the winds. IF he were here | am
sure he would share them with me
and yet | 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 distant grumble of thunder
Mona was afraid of thunder storms
There came long, rumbling roll OF
thunder and she fed to the front We
randa of the cottage, where she
, sought q sheltered corner and sat dis
|, consolately on her suit case with hel
|. umbrella spread protectingly over her
Lightning flashed internationally
thunder rolled heavily. The sound u
, footsteps mingled with the noise u
the storm. They reached the veranda
y paused for a moment, and then cam,
a around to her sheltered corner.
well, by Jove!"
q The muttered ejaculation told Mon,
that she had been discovered. Sh
dropped her umbrella and looked u
,. into the face of the fisherman who's
dinner she had eaten.
= He was not an Unlocking youn
II man. On the contrary, the gray Goa
a covered broad shoulders above whic
!. rose a strong, brown throat and hea
undeniably handsome. He was lool
:. ing down at Mona's pale, frighteno
face with quizzical eyes.
Ia so it was you!" he laughed softl.
- A wave of color famed into Mona
a cheeks. Il was hungry" she explaine
~ meekly. IF had known would hay
10 starved first!"
q. But they were good-they mu.
a have been mighty good-they smelle
!" delicious" he said. regretfully.
!. Mona turned a pretty shoulder an
"A stared out at the pouring rain.
!. I'm sure l wouldn't intrude-on
there is no other shelter on IL
:. island" he went on alphabetically.
;. THE veranda is large" suggeste
:, Mona coldly.
:. "Of courseI will go-J beg W,
7 pardon" he said hutiily.
=. At that instant there came a his
- inn sbriek of white fame that play,
up aud down the trunk of the viii
~ pine tree, and with it came a cras
a ing peal of thunder. Mona scream
N with fear.
III The fisherman gathered Mona in
strong arms. Are you hurt, darling
40 was his astonishing question.
Al. And Mona, half fainting with frigl
10 seemed not to resent the familiari
he Her golden head dropped on the sho
no der of the fisherman and her lips m,
st INJURED negative.
ell What are you doing here, Dick
she asked family.
IN 81 have an idea" said Dick slow
tic that Edith received your letter v
terday. and. conceiving the idea
IA. bringing about reconciliation
q, tween us, wired me to come up. Tn
ID they left US marooned on the isla,
re and-well. it happened just as s
GU planned! Here they come now, t
boatloads! Let US go down to
"a pier and meet them"
Ter The sun was shining when II
ng reached the end Of the pier. T
ne boatloads of merrymakers from
A." water carnival came laughing up
his steps. Edith Benson met the two c,
, aways with outstretched hands ,
questioning. mischievous eyes.
Mt. is it all right" she asked
Yes, it's all right"