Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-02-05
sEiAsgSgeHEEiE6se|SEgSSggSRss5HgaHNlRi
ONA MISSOURI ISLE.
ALEX S. BRiSCOE.
Copyright.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
Su5u5gSlI5lSStISqS

He shook his head. but she was de-
termined. She had turned and one OF
her hands rested on his arm. The light
pressure was enough to set him floun'
dering for words to combat her los-
cal presentment OF the situation.
But it couldn't be done--it could
not" he asserted in desperation
She recognized her advantage-the
note OF yielding in his voice and
pressed the point. Allen finally threw
up his hands and asked almost de-
spairingly how the change of clothing
could be effected.
THAT will be all right" she said.
Il was just thinking you might go up
in the grove little way beyond that
biz tree, then take a walk to the other
end Of the island-to look for boat"
Her face again was averted and that
part OF her rounded cheek revealed to
Allen took on a deeper shade OF pink
as she went on
Il would walk up there after you
were gone and-and | could leave my
skirt for you
Allen again showed rebelli0us incl-
nations, but she sQuelched him
promptly. A minute later she had hur-
ried him away.
In the privacy of clump OF bushes
he tarried a minute, then boted for
the head OF the island. His comments
meantime regarding his lack Of swim
ming ability hardly are suitable for
repeti ion. Twenty minutes l;ter he
return I'd TO he tree.
A white skirt lay on bush and l.,
donned it. II was far too small in the
waist. but his handkerchief passed
through holes cut in the cloth made up
for Is deficiency about the waist;
then, fioundering about with the awk.
ward gait of man in unfamiliar gar
ments, he made his way back to camp.
In the stern of the damaged motor
boat sat a slim, boyish figure in soiled
white trousers Allen watched in
gloomy silence as Bee removed her
pumps and knotted the strings to-
scther.
Il really wouldn't care to walk bare.
foot through the woods on the other
side" she explained as she hung them
! about her neck
She was about TO slip into the water
when an inspiration came TO Allen.
wait" he implored i've got
better idea I've been dunderheaded
simp or I'd have thought Of it before
} He dashed up the bank. The girl
heard him crashing about in the bush.
es. then he returned, dragging a
heavy timber. With his knife he cut
away length of fish line and tied it
about The log.
/, simple matter" he pointed out as
he knotted the other end Of the string
about his wais. and rolled the float in.
I to the water. "You just stay here un.
F, til | get across and find boat. This
will keep me from sinking and it can't
I get away from me-
1t was the girls turn to protest. but
Allen was firm. In the end COM
promise was agreed upon. They would
try to swim the channel together,
pushing the log.
Possibly 1t is better" she finally
agreed. III either OF us went over
alone It may take long time to find
~ boat, and the chances are We will
only reach another island. Anyhow,
don't think | would care TO spend a
night in the woods without you'll
mean alone"
Allen accepted the qualification
( grudgingly
The Missouri Is a cranky old stream
with a swift current and habit of
changing its channel overnight. Its
eddies are as capricious as a woman
and about as easy to reason with.
Near the other shore the current
caught Allen and the girl, swept.them
back from the bank and whirled them
past the foot of the island they were
utrying TO make and out on the mile.
| vide surface Of the main channel.
Allen. who had been giving credit
able water.spashing exhibition in his
efforts to force the log toward the
bank. ceased kicking and hung TO the
timber painting.
l We've simply got to float until We
GET somewhere he announced. Gee
there's 4 lot OF water In this river"
Then from around the bend below
came the long, booming roar Of "A
steamboat whistle. Both turned TO.
ward where above the line Of willows
projected q tall stack from which
ntreamed a plume of black smoke.
Mana. ua. /. vrhttp an ,lad urannf,l