, 1920-11-04
Faithful
BY r. RAY X
t@. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndic

am ABOUT ready 10 give up
What's the use of defying Fatef'
'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 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
a fashionable cut, but now they were
torn and patched. The young mans
clothes looked as though they had been
purloined from a cornfield 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 1 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 a minister Of the Gospel-more of
Fate's handiwork-will perform the
ceremony hat ought to make us both
happy"
The girl drew away.
at can't be-" she said firmly. 81
remember my promise, and you should
remember yours. 1 told Manuel Garri-
son l would be true to him, conn what
may, and l intend to observe that
pledge. See. I still wear his ring. And
how about Elsie Glenwell? Didn't you
tell her the same thing? How do we
know hat Fate didn't arrange these
things just as a test of our faithful
ness? No, things must go 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.
But, Sue" the man persisted, II
love you more thar I ever could care
for Elsie. She is a wonderful girl and
all that, but after you and / have
shared all these h%ardships l never
could be happy with her. Besides, IL
we're doomed to spend all our lives
or the island, why shouldn't we be
as happy as we can make ourselves7
Could-couldn't you be happy with
me?'
She gripped his arm.
Carson. don't tempt me any more.
1 beg you. If it 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
a wonderful fellow-and a promise is
h promise. II was about a yea hgo,
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 u%nbearable. Let's 60 back
to the shack"
He assisted her from the rock and
they walked up the slope to a crude
| hQhffafinn hnfif nf shin u-rarIya1n In
the center of n cluster of trees. At the
doorway a middle-aged man. clad In
tattered garments Of black. met them
and smiled beatifcally.
six months and no sign of rescue"
he sighed. but he quickly dIspelled the
frown Thai flashed TO his face and
smiled %jovlally. Let MS pray once
more for deliverance."
They knelt and prayed. Then they
partook of a lunch the minister had
provided. It was n 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 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 n tiny speck, increasing in size
as II neared the island. Soon II was
not more than n half mile away, and
from II flashed n beam of light that
played across the water and finally
rested on the strip Of land. An intent
listener might have heard the creaklng
of Il windlass as an anchor was low
cred into the depths.