The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-22
ISLAND CAS1AWAYS
Nv cLARISSA MAck'E.

..,.nd and left a solitary passenger
a decidedly pretty young woman WIZ
carried a suitcase and umorel.a' ,o,o
Mona Fairlee walked down tne ions
,,ar ~ the shore, where the req
shineled roof of the Bensons suln ..aa
s.m1 neeped through the surrounding
She reached the cottage and STOOD
.ma,ed to discover that doors anu
vindows we're closely suffered. rue
CONN had every appearance OF Deins
closed Tor the season. although " was
only the first of August.
Something must have happened u
change the summer plans OF the pen
sons. who were distant COUSINS VI
Mona. Man. in
"Wbat shall | do?" asked Mona III
d;smay for there was no way OF reach'
ing the mainland except by boat
III it hadn't been for Dick Master
.on-" Mona paused and bit her hp'
fighting back the tears. How l ha'e
him." she sobbed passionateiy.
II was the old story OF lover
quarrel and a hasty parting. Mona
had written a 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 Oh
the inhabitants of the group OF little
islands that dotted the lovely Name
lake. Now, with the Bensons away
| she must return home, where sne
might meet Dick at any moment.
Mona was growing hungry. sne
| 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 nine cones burned cheerfully over
a circle of stones. On the stones were
five lake tout 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 10 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 hen 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 a distant grumble Of thunder.
Mona was afraid of thunder storms.
There came long, rumbling roll Of
thunder and she fed to the front ve-
randa of the cottage. where she
sought a sheltered corner and sat dis.
consolately on her suit case with her
umbrella 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 q 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 ill-looking youne
man. On the contrary, the gray coat
,, covered broad shoulders above which
rose strong, brown throat and Q head
undeniably handsome. He was look
. ing down at Mona's pale, frightened
+ face with quizzical eyes.
so it was you'll" he laughed softly
E A wave Of color famed into Mona,
q cheeks. Il was hungry" she explained
meekly. III had known would hav,
; starved first!"
But they were good-they mus
I have been mighty good-they smelle,
Il delicious" he said, regretfully.
Mona turned pretty shoulder an,
: stared out at the pouring rain.
I'm sure ! wouldn't intrude-onl
v there is no other shelter on tn
island" he went on alphabetically.
h The veranda is large" suggeste
Mona coldly.
OF course will go-I beg YOU
, pardon" he said hufily..
e At that instant there came a HIS
g ing shrek of white fame that playe
d up and down the trunk Of the whit
3 pine tree. and with 1t came a cras]
k ing peal of thunder. Mona screame
:, with fear.
:. The fisherman gathered Mona in,
strong arms. Are you hurt, darling
was his astonishing question.
And Mona. half fainting with frieh
seemed not to resent the familiarit
t Her golden head dropped on the sbo,
n der OF the fisherman and her Inns mn
rs INJURED a negative.
What are you doing here, Dick
10 she asked family.
no nave an idea" said Dick slow,
a that Edith received your letter ve
" terday' and, conceiving the idea
IN bringing about a reconciliation !
II tween us. wired me to come up. Tn
n, tney left US marooned on the islar
&c and-well, it happened Just as !
I. planned! Here they come now :,
nd ooatloads' Let US 90 down 10 :,
pier and meet them"
! The sun was shining when N
reached the end Of the n,er -
ooatloads of merrymakers from ,
water carnival came laughing up ,
0tQpa Edith pan.. W