Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-13


gers. Molly, haggard and shaking.
went down the path then on her way
to the coQuina house. Miller watched
on alone in the sickly, early light. He
pulled himself together with strug.
gle. 1t was easier now to find COM
fort in logic, to assure himself that
his agitation had been caused by the
night and the loneliness, aided by the
state of mind Molly and Andersen had
impressed upon him.
First thing know" he said to
himself, they'll have me as much I'm.
der the spell as they are themselves
He could smile a little at that
thought even now.
The night had chilled him. HeSpac.
cd up and down vigorously while the
light strengthened. Here and there Il
sunbeam broke through and flashed
across the foliage. He grew ashamed
Of his uncomfortable emotions Of the
dark hours.
1t was Siii early Nuti it cav IhoI :
gan walking down the path from the
plantation. Morgan stopped, surprised
and anxious.
"Why are you still here? The coro.
Fer didn't come. And Anderson"
Miller explained the situation
'And stayed at the house and slept
peacefully Morgan said with regret
"Why didn't you run up and get me
to help out? | thought when my man
didn't RETURN
what was the use Of disturbing
you?" Miller asked.
only" Morgan answered, because
two might be better than one for an
all night watch GEOGRAPHICALLY I'M
der the circumstances. Some action
ought to be taken against that coro-
Ler 1t was his bushes to answer tie
call"
Miller laughed little.
"After spending the night alone in
this piece of woods I'm not SO sure
there isn't something to be said in his
.iefense It's odd how little loneli-
less, a little darkness. and the thought
of death will make the pose of the
strongest of Us topple.'
ITS this rotten patch of woods,
Morgan muttered. I'm proud of my
pose. but wonder il ! would have
pulled through such night as fresh
as YOU
Surely" Miller said. "One suffers
temporarily. then the reaction comes,
and you almost want to try it again
20 prove what fool you've BEEN
But as he spoke Miller knew he did
not want to try it again.
Il was on my way to the cOquina
house." Morgan said. But you'd bet.
ter let me relieve you until the Others
come"
Thanks" Miller answered, 81 sup.
pose | ought to report to my man. He
was expecting me on the boat for din.
ner last night. I've no doubt he
thinks the spooks have carried me Off
and turned me into spook myself
He handed Morgan the gun, and
went down the path keeping his eyes
open for signs Of snakes. That was
one element of danger on the island
whose existence he was willing TO ad.
nit.
As he stepped from the woods the
sight of the Dart filled him with ull.
reality. II was, however. the very real
nature of the picture which gave brit,
TO this not altogether comfortable i'm,
preston.
He paused on the shore and stared,
q little bewildered, while his eyes &C.
customed themselves to the glamour Of
an unclouded sun above reflecting wa.
ter that was grass like. After the
heavy shadows OF the forest path it
seemed miracle such light should
exist at all.
The Dart appeared to be suspended
in the midst of this dazzling spectacle.
IDteDIu Dtl tHt uultS udu tile t1lttl
of mirage The usually mournful
and insistent pounding OF the break.
IRIS had fallen 10 an Indifferent dronc
Miller closed his eyes. What he. had
seen struck him with sense of shame
after his experience in the forest. FCi
a moment he felt physically i'll. He
bent his mind to the conquest of his
weakness. He recalled Tony. He
could fancy the natives frame of mind
After all, he owed Tony the release
Of that fear. SO he opened his eyes
again. But there was no one on the
deck Of The Dart, yet, under the cir.
cumstances, he could not imagine Tony
waiting below.
He glanced along the beach and saw
the dihgy. Then Tony, since he had
not passed through the forest, must
be at The coquina house. unless, indeed
he had yielded to his panic and left
The island altogether
He turned and looked at the fisher
mans craft. II floated. filthy and un
cared for No one was to be seen. nor
did its deck disclose any record OF rc
cent activity. It lay in the still water
like an abandoned hulk. II conveyed