The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-12

IuoZth yeOple are aware OF IL. MY
own knowledge comes from fam
lily tradition that my grandfather,
when boy, saw the island.
| "Yonder Is a man who may
know something of the lost island
myth. He is in the West Indies
constantly. Shall l bring him
over?"
"I'll be greatly obliged" Brins-
made replied.
Pinckney crossed the piazza to
the far corner, where man was
standing leaning on the rail and
gazing out on the moonlit harbor.
He said word to him, and the
two came across to us. He pre-
scented him as Mr.. De Verderois.
The lost island? Yes, | have
heard of it," he said. 1T is never
twice in the same locality. About
the only details which all the
legends agree Is that the island is
surrounded by a dense fog, and
that no one has ever land
ed-or, at least, has never
returned, if he did land. Where
did you hear of it, Mr.. Brinsmade
down in the West Indies?"
Il never heard of it until this
evening"" said Brinsmade. Mr..
Cardingan and | were considering
a trip among the islands to kill
time for the next four weeks. l
suggested that there might be an
island waiting to be discovered.
Mr.. Pinckney Joined us just then,
and we heard the legend from
him."
De Verdenois smiled. For
deadly sameness, and the same
deadliness, commend me to the
Antilles. I've voyaged among
them, sir, for years as matter of
business think | know"
We chatted a while longer on
indifferent subjects, then Brins-
made and l went down to the
landing, where the launch was
waiting to take us out to the Buc-
cancer.
was not able to sleep with
any satisfaction that night
whether it was the atmosphere,
digestion, cigars, or what, l do
not know, but tossed about until
at last the sun came up over
Sumter, an ingot of molten steel.
lay while longer-then
arose had my bath, shaved, dress
ed and went on deck. l walked
aft; aid, leaning on the rail,
gazed languidly at the waterfront
to the westward.
So I was standing when there
came soft little laugh behind
me, and an adorable voice ex-
claimed:
EARLY bird!"
'Dicky bird." said !, turning
4 around.
She looked a mild reproach.
Isn't 1t lovely!" she said, with
a wave of her slim hand toward
the town. II think this harbor
and its waterfront are the most
beautiful in the world.
Her eyes fingered on the Bat
terry; mine fingered on her-as
she was aware. A woman does
not have to look at the man be-
side her to know when he is look
ing at her. And the Battery
seemed to charm her with its
quiescent beauty-and she charm
ed me. / wanted to take the
slender, white-garbed figure In
my arms and hold it close; the
dark head, shot with gold, on my
shoulder; the proud face up
turned; the lovely eyes yelled
with the long lashes; the ripe red
lips just
LET us have our breakfast
here and now" she suddenly sug-
gested.
"Bully!" l agreed.
We went back under the avn
ing. l placed a chair for her, and
took one myself. She struck a
bell on the table.
Send the steward to me-" she
ordered. Good morning,
thompson" acknowledging the
stewards salute. "Mr. Cardigan
and | will have breakfast here.
Grapefruit, chops, eggs and coffee
anything else, Dick?"
81 reckon l had better be CRATE
full for what l have-and the time
that is to be-"
"The time that is to be-" she
infected, with a puzzled frown.
what do you mean-anything?"
at depends on you and Mrs.
leighton"
what depends on us?"
"You and Justine are to decide
whether the Buccaneer goes on a
cruise in the West Indies for the
next six weeks. Fred wants to go
but he will allow you two to
decide"
II fancy Justine and I won't
have much difficulty in decidirg!"
she laughed. ut will be jolly"
Here Brinsmade's head ap-
peared in the companionway.
"You are up betimes," he greet
ed. "The top of the morning, my
dear!" to Rosalind, pating her
cheek, and following it with a
kiss. Then he looked at me in
quiringly-as much as to say:
wouldn't you like to be privi-
legged to kiss her. also?"
| l pretended not to understand.
But Rosalind, glancing up at her
brother, detected the look and,
with a woman's intuition, read 1t
aright-and into her face the
blood pulsed brightly for a mo-