Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-11-05
F aithful
By R. RAY BAKER
" Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.

&c, 1914. by Mcclure Newspaper syndieatel
Il am about ready TO give up.
WHAT'S the use of defying Fate?"
please don't talk that way, Carson.
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
Numbered along the island shore and
dashed foam over the smaller rocks.
a red semlcircle 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 ouce been of
a fashionable cut, bur now they were
torn and patched. The young man's
clothes looked as though they had been
purlOined from cornheld scarecrow.
But it's so hopeless" he went on.
ignoring his companions pleading
Were doomed forever to remain ON
/
it's six months and not ship mas
| been sighted. Ii looks to me. Sue.
as though Fate put us aboard the III
fated Seymour ana then wrecked it,
| just SO you and l should be brought
| together. IT'S so difficult TO continue
this way. just say the word and our
companion in misery. who happens 10
| lie a minister Of the GGspei--more of
Fate's handiwork-w perform the
ceremony that ought 10 make us both
happy.
The girl drew away.
| ut can't be" size said firmly. Il
remember my promise, and YOU should
remember yours. told Manuel Garri-
| son ] would he true to him. come what
may, and l intend 10 observe that
| pledge. See / still wear his ing 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 a test of our faithful
ness? No. things must go ON as they
have. Its difficult-as much so fer
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 shlvered
But, Sue" the man persisted 81
4 love You more than | ever could care
for Elsie. She is a wonderful girl and
all that. but after you and have
shared all these hardships never
could be happy with her Besides. If
we're doomed to spend all our lives
on the island, why shouldn't we he
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.
4 ] beg you. If il makes you feel aar
better, care for you, too was en-
gagged TO Manuel when ] was TOO
young 10 know what I was doing. He's
wonderful felow-and promise is
1 promise. II was about a year ago.
in New York. that saw him last.
| He was preparing TO take his first
voyage as commander of a 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 unused. "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 MP the slope to IA crude
| habitation built of ship wreckage in
the center of cluster of trees. At e
| doorway a middle-aged man, clad in
tattered garments of black, met them
and smiled heatifcally.
six months and no sign OF rescue"
he sighed. bot he quickly dispelled the
| frown that flashed to his face and
smiled Mvially. Let us pray once
more far delIverance."
They knelt and prayed. Then they
| partook of lunch the minister had
| provided. IT was a 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 a kind of tea brewed
| from forest herbs.
The evening was spent IN reading
the only book that was available. the
ministers Bible. and the trio retired
early to the uncomfortable hunks they
had built in the three box-like aIcoves
they called bedrooms. They slept
soundly. for they had been working
hard, constructing a new and more
| elaborate home further up the slope.
The yellow moon was high in the
heavens when. up from the horizon.
crept a tiny speck. increasing in size
as it neared the island. Soon It was
not more than half mile away. and
1 $rorr - Nachad a haor, 30 Iiobf n at