Gilpin observer., 1920-11-04
Faithful
By R. RAY BAKER

I'm afraid to think of It."
The young woman and young man
were seated on a bowlder, beyond
reach of the most ambitious waves that
thundered along the island shore and
dashed foam over the smaller rocks.
A red semicircle peeping over the blue
horizon was all that was visible of the
retiring orb of day.
Already, far in the east, a gray disk
was growing more distinct. Luna was
taking her place as sentinel of the
heavens.
The girls garments tapped in the
slight breeze. They had once been of
fashionable cut, but now they were
torn and patched. The young mans
clothes looked as though they had been
purlOined from cOrnf1eld scarecrow.
"But it's so hopeless" he went on,
ignoring his companions pleading.
"We're doomed forever to remain on
this speck of dust on the sea. Here
it's six months and not a ship has
been sighted. 1t looks to me, Sue,
as though Fate put us aboard the ILL
fated Seymour and then wrecked 1t,
just so you and should be brought
together. It's so difficult to continue
this way. Just say the word and our
companion in misery, who happens to
be minister of the Gospel-more of
Fate's handiwork-will perform the
ceremony that ought to make us both
happy"
The girl drew away.
ut can't be-" she said firmly. 81
remember my promise, and you should
remember yours. told Manuel Garri-
son would be true to him, come what
may, and 1 intend to observe that
psedge. See, still wear his ring. And
how about Elsie Glenwell? Didn't you
tell her the same thing? How do we
know that Fate didn't arrange these
things just as test of our faithful
ness? No, things must 60 on as they
have. It's difficult-as much so for
me as for you-but they must con-
tinue!"
The semicircle dropped below the
line that Joined sky and water In the
west The shadow Of dusk drew their
shadowy folds tighter about the earth.
The girl shivered.
Duts tHt pcTSiSlcu, i
love you more than l ever could care
for Elsie. She is wonderful girl and
all that, but after you and I have
shared all these hardships I never
could be happy with her. Besides, If
we're doomed to spend all our lives
on the island. why shouldn't we be
as happy as we can make ourselves?
Could-couldn't you be happy with
me?"
She gripped his arm.
Carson. don't tempt me any more,
beg you. II 1t makes you feel any
better, care for you, too. I was en-
gagged to Manuel when was too
young to know what I was doing. He's
wonderful fellow-and promise Is
. promise. 1t was about year ago,
In New York. that saw him last
He was preparing to take his first
voyage as commander of coastwise
passenger ship. And at that time we
renewed our pledge. Now, please,
don't talk that way any more"
"That's where saw Elsie last" the
man mused. "She was on her way to
Join her father in Argentina. We
promised the same thing and I've tried
tried so hard; but these circum-
stances are unbearable. Let's go back
to the shack"
He assisted her from the rock and
they walked up the slope to a crude
habitation built of ship wreckage In
the center of cluster Of trees. At the
doorway middle-aged man, clad in
tattered garments of black. met them
and smiled beatificnlly.
"Six months and no sign of rescue"
he sighed but he quickly dispelled the
frown that flashed to his face. and
smiled jovlally. Let us pray once
more for dellverance"
They knelt and prayed. Then they
pnrtook OF a lunch the minister had
provided. II was frugal repast when
considered from the standpoint of vari.
ETY.. but was plentiful. The menu con-
sisted mostly of wild fruits. although
there was fish from the Islands fresh
water lake and n kind of tea brewed
from forest herbs.
The evening was spent in reading
the only book that was available, the
minister's Bible, and the trio retired
early to the uncomfortable hunks they
had built In the three box-like alcoves
they called bedrooms. They slept
soundly, for they had been working
hard. constructing n new and more
elaborate home further up the slope.
The yellow moon was high in the
heavens when, up from the horizon,
crept tiny speck, increasing in size
as It neared the island. Soon II was
not more than half mile away. and
from 1t flashed beam OF light that
played across the water and finally
rested on the strip Of land. An intent
listener might have heard the creaking
OF windlass as nn anchor was low