The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-30
EoeningStoy
Mr.. Friday.
BY KATE EDMoNDs.

| IA squall!" cried Dorothy as the
| little launch headed for home.
| Nan glanced over her shoulder at
| the yellow-brown clouds rapidly OBJ
scuring the sun. I'VE cannot reach
the Point" she declared. I'VE must
make for the nearest island"
rs there any danger?" asked timid
Dorothy who had been insistent about
remaining outside the breakwater.
81 think not" painted Nan, for her
heart was throbbing fast. She was a
little fearful of making the nearest
! island before the storm burst and Lit
| tie Petrol island was a dangerous place
to land. Many small boat had gone
down off the cruel rocks. When they
were within a boats length of the
beach the wind broke loose with a
: the boat upon the beach and left it
there in the soft sand. The salt spray
stung their lips and eyes.
Somehow they stumbled out of the
boat and were thankful to feel solid
ground under foot. Nancy tied the
boat to a tree for the tide was rush
ing in and they might lose it any mo-
ment.
at is so exposed here on the wind
ward side. let US walk around to the
east beach; it will be warmer and
drier there"
The wind snatched the words from
her lips and tossed them away. The
two girls screamed at eacn other and
then laughed because not a word
could be heard. At last they resorted
to signs, and having found a substitute
for speech, they started to walk
around the shore, just above the hlgh-
II, Inn CfT
of dried seaweed, tangled with tiny
shells. and Nan scooped up several
armfuls and babe Dorothy do the
same.
"'If we have to stay here all night II
will make a good bed" she Informed
her companion
1t was thea that Dorothy found the
footprint in the sand and pointed it out
to Nan. Both girls turned pale, for
the footprint was freshly made-a gen
erous shoe had made it-there was the
print of heel and rubber sole.
1t was pointed in the direction they
were going.
shall we keep on?" pantomimed
Dorothy.
Nan shook her head and motioned
back. They retreated and went back
to the boat, and finding the tide was
still rising, they entered the grove of
trees. 1T is quiet here" shrieked
Dorothy, sinking down on the dry
sand.
Nan followed suit and then. inn
patient OF inaction she jumped up
again and explored the grove. In five
minutes she was standing on the east
beach and the footprint in the sand
was explained.
Nan glared resentfully at the young
man in white duck who was broilinG
bacon over a small fire in a scooped
Cd af H. in
mild surprise.
I'VE have with us today" he began.
but Nan only smiled scornfully and
turned away. "Ninny," she said i'm
politely, and one must admit that this
was not quite the proper way for two
strangers to open conversation.
Il was going to ask you why you in
truded," he observed. This is the
island of Robinson Crusoe-and the
island was nonsuffragist, you will re-
member"
"Fancyn' drawled Nan, just because
he hated the word. All, she knew this
young man well. She had been en-
gagged to marry him up to o'clock this
very afternoon 1t was now and the
bacon smelt divinely. Dorothy had de-
tected the odor of bacon and now came
running into the scene.
For once she was stricken dumb be-
fore the vision of the island inhabf-
tant, She looked from one to the other
and her lips curved into a little smile.
She was hungry! If Nan wanted to
quarrel with the incest man at Coral
Point. very well! Dorothy Wildwood
must eat, and to eat one must make
friendly advances even to an enemy.
The wretch had corn bread, too! And
coffee-it was too much.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Crusoe-" she
began.
Names Friday" PROTESTED the gem
t1eman impaling strips of bacon on a
neatly trimmed twig. ''Starved?''
Dorothy nodded. please, Mr.. Fri
day" Then. when he had made her
a ba sandwich, she took huge bite
and went over to TIE enemy, sitting
down in the sand and conversing with
him in the most friendly way imag-
Unable.
Ship 'ecked?" he asked.
Dorothy told their story, calling
upon Nan to verify the facts. but Nan
sat at distance her face turned
stonily away, her hart sore and re-
sentful She was watching the waves
as they pounded on the rocks below
She wondered if he would care if she
was lying dead there among the sea-
weed.
She was feeling very sad-tomorrow
they were leaving Coral Point and
she might never see him again. He
had teasing way with him that irked
HCl--IlONs Ollly d lew hours aILer the
quarrel. she was missing him. What
had they quarrele- about? Such a
trifle-she was shocked that she had
almost forgotten the cause. He was
coming now. with Dorothy, she could
hear their voices in friendly argu-
ment.
IF loved any one-weu enough
to become ged-weH enough to
plan to spend the rest of my life with
hinl-or her" declared wise young
Dorothy, and remember it would
have to be a great and glorious love
Cor wouldn't love at alp, then, it
would have to be some huge differ
ence that would separate usi If he
wanted to wear red neckties, even
and loathe them-I would say I love
the man and 1 can learn to endure
red neckties-because Z loved him so
much and he would feel the same way
about trifles-and-I must see about
the boat" and Dorothy fled around
the beach. leaving Nan and the Man
Friday alone together.
She got nm and stood uncarfainYx-