Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-05
seen II when Sou came in. Hes more

~ SioN. HtH lHtIt \ Ddil, IeueFdl
Judge in Martinsburg. He brought Us
down here in the first place.
That's how you found it,"
Eyes. Bait was a friend of Molly
father. When we were going through
Martinsburg on our way To Cuba in
January he made us stay over for a
few days He has fast cruising
launch. He knew was an artist, and
ne thought I'd enjoy seeing this fas
cinating combination of jungle, water
and sand. 1t was a brilliant day, and
we came down so fast the island seem
ed only step-a charminglv isolated
suburb of Martinsburg. Jim. the place
seemed to grasp me physically, and
10 demand since chance had brought
me, that | stay and put on canvas its
even at noon | felt | had found the
inspiration for new note, for the
building of real reputation. And
everything favoured the scheme. The
coquina house would do. The fact that
we would have neighbors in the plan.
tation house settled Molly. We were
enthusiastic and happy about it, Then
Bait tried to discourage us. He let W.
see that even he was subject to this
this folly as you call it."
Miller whistled
"A judge. Ell! He ought to get
enough that's beyond the ken of man
in his own courtroom. What did your
Judge say?r
"'ro begin with he told us the amaz.
ing history of the island and old Mover
its original owner"
"That at least has confederation, -
Miller said after Anderson had repeat.
cd the agents story.
But" Anderson continued, "hc
couldn't define any real objections be-
yond the islands isolation. its lack OF
convenient communication, and-of
course-wc take them so much for
SldHltu IlON ne ojldhtN.
rive heard they're the chief ten.
ants" Miller said. "They might have
been sound objection to your set
ling here"
But we hadn't seen any that day,
and we laughed, thinking the Judge
was trying to stop up some of his 9th,
er arguments that wouldn't hold water.
And it's true Neither Molly nor |
have seen a single snake, but they're
there somehow or other always--in
the background It's the feeling of the
place-a feeling of long Shiny snakes,
stealthily gliding in circle from the
shadows with unsheathed tongues.
Lately we've feared they were growing
daring-were getting ready to strike ,
He took out his handkerchief and
Lassed ii across his face.
And these other arguments?' Mil,
Ter asked The ones that the Judge
couldn't define, that wouldn't hold wa.
teri"
"pf course he couldn't convince us
with his talk of native and negro sup,
erstition while the sun glnted on the
inlet and bathed the scene of his afro.
cious yarns
"Atrocious, you say, yet you"
"They must be-" Anderson sad. sit,
ting here. face TO face with you, can
say it. They must Interpretations
founded on Noyer's revolving cruelty
to his black merchandise, on his terri.
BILE fits of rage, on the Arab girl who
was pampered and murdered in our
louise Beyond question the island is
avoided, and these stories, rather than
the snakes, are responsible. The boy
who brought your telegram yesterday
from Sandport stumbled in at dusk
in tears. He refused to go back until
daylight lay awake half the night,
crying out These beliefs made It
necessary from the first to bring our
own provisions from Sandport-to
dive or walk the three miles to the
river end of the island, signal for d
boat, and row across
PLEASANT" Miller said. What do
the servants think " i?'
Servants, Haven't had one in the
house for two months, except Jake.
Same way with Morgan He's man.
aged 10 keep his man and cook.
That's ALL
"Of course Jake would be faithful, p"
Miller said.
"Yes, he's faithful but with pain.
full struggle. Sometimes feel have
no right to make him stay here, loail.
ing and fearing the place as he does :"
"As you do too, Andy" Miller said
softly Tell me what has made you
doubt the judges yarns were atrocious.
What kind of spooks am | TO lay?
What do YOU think you've SEEM"
We've seen nothing. If one only
could see. It's more subtle than that.
II began the moment we moved down.
We had found we couldn't get ma.
tive servant near the place so we sent
North for Mary and Ellen You know
how attached they were TO Molly. how