Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-09
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|S|N|STER |SlAND|
BY
(CHARlES WAOSWORTH CAMP 9
Copyright 3
/ Dodd, Mead & Company :

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
After luncheon he anxiously await.
ed Molly and Anderson. but it was four
o'clock before he saw row boat put
out from shore Even at that distance
he recognized his friends and the man.
Jake, al the oars. He stood at the
rail until Tony had grasped the paint
er and helped them to the deck.
Molly's appearance shocked Miller
more than Anderson's had done the
day before. She was scarcely thirty,
and he had always known her as a
level headed. light hearted woman I'M
acquainted with life's darker aspects.
and determined as far as possible, to
hold them at arms length, Yet today
she looked old. There were grey lines
in her hair. Her manner was nervous.
She appeared too slender for her
clothes.
The same constraint that had come
to him at his first glimpse of Ander-
son spoiled his meeting with this 9th
err old friend. He tried to throw the
feeling off But Jake, when he spoke
to him. added to It, In response 10
his CHEEKY greeting, Jake whispered.
Thank God, you're here. Mr.. Miller.
Make them 60 away. There's death
on the island. You. feel it. If we don;
leave it's going to find some of u.s.
Miller couldn't smile in the face of
-'tiYty tragic conviction
Don't tell me you're getting old
and arcful, Jake
He trrned way brusQu'ly . Re lrd
Anderson and Molly beloI TO display
his comforts. But when with The al.
OF a museum guide he pointed out the
four French prints, Molly sank on one
of the tapestry cushions. hid her face,
and began to cry. Anderson put his
hand on her shoulder, while Miller
looked on helplessly, his morning S
cheerfulness evaporating,
Anderson cleared his throat.
II say, Molly"
She checked her outburst.
Don't laugh at me. jim. Wait until
you've been in our house-unlil you've
slept there just one night"
"Pll angle for an invitation in few
days"
"That's wiser, suppose Anderson
said. "But return our call tomorrow.
Molly sighed.
IF we could only have Jim in the
house. Some one normal, with will
and no nerves 10 speak of"
"Well let Jim do as he thinks best,
Anderson answered.
Molly" Miller said, did either An
dy or YOU know you had nerves be-
fore you came to Captains IslanG
When it hits back at you this way
stubbornness is a vice"
you're the last one 10 say that >
she answered You of all people!
You would have stayed"
81 have no belief in the supernatu
raj"
Neither have we." she said. "Or
we didn't have--One is sure OF moth
ing here. Wait until you've stayed a
few days, then repeat that with con
viction"
"l'll try, and remember this il med
cine. so YOU must swallow it like good
children find the place attractive
cheerful"
"As We diu.' Anderson said, "wher
we saw II at first on a bright day like
this
"Nou forgot Miller replied, Il came
in at dusk last night. and it stormed.
"And last night" Molly cried "Yor
felt nothing last night? You were sat
isfied? You were glad to be here?'
Miller stared back without answer
ing His mornings cheerfulness was
completely routed.
"You were not" she said with. con
viction. land soon even the sweetest
days will be coloured for you like
that"
Il wonder" he said softly.
He suggested that they have theft
tea on deck, but Molly was anxious {,
remain in the saloon. There. she OK
blamed, she saw for the first time II
Two months no reminders OF Captain.
Island.
Miller fostered her allusion by lead
ing the conversation to friends in New
York. to happy experiences they hat
shared there.
Afterwards they prepared to leav.
with a reluctance that touched hiti
When they had reached the decl
Miller glanced at Tony and Jake for
ward. He realized Immediately hi
mistake in leaving the two alone To
sether. They sat there. staring at u,