Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-08-23

Inc girl sought and threaded the
may stretch of water, a skilled argo-
naut. Finally, in the midst of a dis
NAL waste, they approached kind of
an island. At its center was what was
left OF an old hut that had half burned
down. The girl drove the boat into
shallow water.
Wont you please 60 ashore and see
II anyone is in the house to take care
OF meF she spoke, low and pleadingly,
and Ronald readily lent himself to the
proposal.
He found nobody and nothing in the
OLD wreck of domicile. Coming out,
ne rather stared! Twenty feet from
the edge of the island was the boat.
Inc girl had thrown his game bag
ashore. Whereas she had been the
seeming child of pain and helplessness
a few minutes since, now she was
smiling. There was an elfish, taunting
expression in her bright eyes. She
waved her hand airily in bantering
fashion.
you'll have fxin's for your comfort
in a little WHILE" she said. "Don't try
to get away, or you'll drown. You'll
have to stay here for two or three
days."
"Why?" shouted back the discomfit-
ed Ronald.
"Oh, just-because," came the equiv
ocal reply, and with few deft strokes
of the oar the boat shot out of sight.
1t was three hours later when it re-
turned. There was proof positive now
that the pretended sprained ankle was
a fiction, for, airy and nimble as a
nymph, the girl sprang ashore, first
throwing there rude wicker basket.
I've brought you some food and
matches and two blankets" she auda-
ciously Informed Ronald. eff it rains
you can go into the house. Well keep
you comfortable. You won't be kept
here over three days."
But I don't want to be kept here at
all y demurred Ronald.
you've got to-" disputed the man
datory little vixen.
Suppose take your boat and say
no?" challenged Ronald.
swell, dad is over in a clump Of
rushes in his boat, not hundred yards
over beyond here, and he'll sure shoot
If you try to leave"
"Humph! What are you people
bandits?"
"They say so-and .worse-over at
Elburne."
The girl appeared next morning,
bringing more food. She fingered for
over an hour. There was a certain
witchery about her that attracted Ron
old. Once she asked him:
what is that badge you wear
sheriff? constable?'
explained Ronald.
''Why, then, maybe dads wrongw
Ronald heard her murmur, thought-
fully.
you can leave here tomorrow" the
girl advised him two days following,
and, during the interim, Ronald had
become interested in his artless, but
vigilant jailer.
Il am glad Of that" said Ronald,
"but 1 wish I understood the mystery
of you people keeping me here in this
strange way"
"Oh, I think you guess" intimated
his companion.
Il DON'T" declared Ronald, positive
ly
Il like you," she spoke, after looking
him sQuarely in the eyes, as If striving
to read his secret thoughts. Maybe
we've done you wrong, dad and I, but
he's bound not to be caught"
"Caught?" echoed Ronald, vaguely.
THAT'S it. He saw that badge Of
yours and thought you were an officer,
and we've kept you here till he can find
a new hiding place. Don't you really
know about dadI"
Nothing but what you tell me-"
averred Ronald.
Then she told him that her father
was John Deane, and she was Gilmore.
They were poor, humble folk and had
lived in Elburne. There was a mys-
terious murder. Her father, innocent,
was accused. He had fled, she with
him.
John Deane?" repeated Ronald ex-
citedly, springing to his feet. He ran
inside the old ruin. He returned,
bringing newspaper which he had
read and reread to while the time
away during his captivity.
"Why!" he cried, Here is an article
telling Of the discovery Of the real
murderer and they have been search
ing everywhere for your innocent IA
ther."
So 1t was, and the Deanes were in
duced to return to Elburne with Ro-
nald, and his interest in Gilmore grew
to deeper sentiment as the days went
on.
"You have come into my life to stay,