The daily Alaskan., 1917-08-22


 my way very, close to the spring which I believe I have mentioned as existing on the island, At any rate l should not die of thirst. g.. .,,...- ,ss E. ,
 A fairly flat tree stump looked e1r traordinarily like'a table when a cloth was spread on 1t and places for two. There was a cheerful look, too, about the teakette when the alcohol lamp under 1t. had been lit long enough to make 1t send out tiny curly rspiralS ,of steam. And over all flicker of sun. light romped about the table as if the fairy Tinker Bell were touching tho dishes to make it magic feast, ~--
 did not eat, though. Instead. I leis- urely breWed a pot of tea.,uI had never cared a great, deal about tea before, but the aroma of that particular brew will haunt me when other perfumes have lost their savor. ,.~
 drew up two pieces of fallen tree trunk to serve as chairs and seated my self on one side of the table. My trap was ready.a g a. .ag B s.t.l, .4v 4. .I
 Presently there. was the sound of breaking twigs in the underbrush near by. pretended not to notice Then Tootles came forth, frisking and wag- glng her tail petted her.. A. .1Z .A..
 Some one coughed in back of me. ! turned. Parting the bushes on either side like the folds of a heavy green vel vet drop curtain stood the shy Epirit of the wood. -
 q had to make -you turn around" <. she said apologetcally, "and get ie over with" s.,- - .. :r1. ., .a.-6 a..L Al
 Never was a fairer -Rosalind She held up her head with a fine courage in spite of the crimson blushes which chased each other over her face and neck, and she stood straight in the high heeled soft kid boots, a slender figure, almost beyishs --S'. ~ E--- .-.-.
 Won't you sit downf" I had risen and indicated the log seat opposite mine. .-ys --.e.,--.g O. cl.Ja.;,' I
 "Were you expecting some one?" she asked. casting an anxious look at the seat .-, a--. .- ..r.l
 "Why, yes." I pretended to be hesi- tant about confding in her. q was ex- pecting some one, lady, one that ] am very fond of, but am afraid that she has disappointed me Won't you take her placer ...s >a..s "a >.s
 'Thank you" she said simply and slid into the seat z. aa..s , --:-. 2
 When l poured her some of the tea and offered her such food as was avail able she accepted everything and ate with unembarrassed appetite. It may sound unromantiC to say that we satis- fed our hunger without conversation, but reraembar Ghat there had been many hours when talk had been our only substitute for food. TootleS had some of everything, including tea, which proves to my mind conclusiYely that she isn't a regular dog. But no more of that ., .A.u ----a ]
 "I'm sorry," my vls-a-vis said at last leaning forward with her chin resting on the backs of her clasped hands, I'm sorry to be sitting in, the place Of some one else whom you. would, prefer to have here" Then she added, with a, little sigh, 'Thnt isr If you would prefer some one else" ......,.. ...s. |.
 q would and l wouldn't" 1 smiled. T am trying to imagine thHt you are she"
 'rIu these-in this cOstumeT $. ~-.l
 Tt is difficult to, imagine her dressed as you are, but not impossible. l ad- init, though, that 1t would be easier to picture you in her dress than her In yours" ere
 "Why dId she not comef"
 q have displeased her.s., ,,~..>
 eff she has been angry 1t must be that she forgot for the moment how brave you are and how kind.",'y = B, ."She said she never wanted to see me again. t.l u.f-c e.s- .sarl .Sl..s :.
 And you said you would never enter her house again. Yet you broke your word when she was. in danger, and she was very glad to see you indeed, sne reached across the. table tmpulstYely and laid her small brown fingers ID my palm. .,........ ...-.a D. =.
 "What would you do in that caseT
 I'd come and find you,S she answer ed, land when I'd found you, I'd put my hands in yours, just like this, and I'd ask your forgiveness for being a cross, cranky, old maid.S- A-.f' -r-. 'cBut she isn't an old maid" hefd her fingers tightly, ,ass u .,.,-'1s
 "shen be twenty five 2 atomoErow. She laughed. And if girl isn'G mar ried by the time she is twenty-five ShS is an old maid.2soa,,,a a.. I7,7. "aE patt'
 4HaThen, she'll never be an old maA9s I declared, 'because by this time eomoF- row sheTl be married-that is," 1 sdd' ed, 1If she'll accept stout, middle aged man for a husband" ,i
 '.There isn't one OF this island" she declared, looking at 'una. With aiming eyes. 'cYou, can't claim to- Do stout when your belt nearly reaches around you twice. Monty" she gaye.my hand m quick little squeeze, "youire 2 dear'
 "wm you marry, mer I asked VI "Of course. l decided that long ago, Do you suppose I'd let any man see mS