The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-11
Eoening Story
Faithful.
BY r. RAY BAKER.


II am about ready to give up.
What's the use of defying Fate2"
please don't talk that way, Car
son. I'm afraid to think of it."
The young woman and young man
were seated on a bowlder. beyong
that Numbered along the island shore
and dashed foam over the smaller
rocks A red semi-circle peeping over
the blue horizon was all that was visi-.
BILE of the retiring orb of day.
Already far in the east, a gray disk
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 tho they had been
purloined from a cornfield scareerew.
But it's so hopeless" he went on.
ignoring his companien's pleading.
Were doomed forever to remain on
this speek Of dus. on the sea. Here
it's six months and not ship has been
sighted. 1t locks to me, Sue. as tho
Fate put us aboard the Inflated Sey-
mour and then wrecked it, just so you
and I should be brought together. It's
so difficult 10 continue this way. JUST
say the word and our companion il
misery, who happens to be a minister
of the Gospei--more of Fate's handt-
werk--will perform the ceremony that
ought TO make us both happy"
The girl drew away.
1T can't be-" she said firmly. ST
remember yours told Manuel Gar
risen would be true to him, come
what may, and I intend to observe
that pledge. See, still wear his ring.
And how about Elsie Glenwell?
Didn't you tell her the same thing?
yav 40 me- In kAnk T-o<A I.,Bx
arrange these things just as test of
our faithfulness2 No things must go
on as they have, It's diffieult-as
much so for me as for you-bur
must continue"
The semi-circle cropped below the
line that Joined sky and water in the
west. The shadows of dusk drew their
shadowy folds tighter about the earth.
The girl shivered.
But, Sue" the man presisted. 81
love you more than ! ever could care
for Elsie. She is a wonderful girl and
all that, but after you and 1 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-eouldnit you be happy with
meg"
She gripped his arm.
Carson, don't tempt me any more,
1 beg Of you. If it makes you feel any
better, l care for you, too. l was en-
gagged to Manuel when was too young
to know what l was doing. He's a
wonderful fellow-and a promise is a
promise. 1t was about a year ago. in
New York, that ] last saw him. He
was preparing to take his first veyag e
as commander of a eoastwise passen-
ger ship. And at that time we re-
newed 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 UNDESIRABLE. Let's go back
to the shack"
He assisted her from the rock and
they walked up the slope 20 a crude
habitatiens built of ship wreckage in
the center of a cluster of trees. At
the doorway q middle-aged man. clad
in tattered garments OF black, met
them and smiled beatifically,
six months and ne sign of rescue"
he sighed, but he quickly dispelled the
frewn that flashed to his face and
smiled joyially. Let US pray once
mere for deiiverance."
They knelt and prayed. Then they
partook OF q lunch the minister had
provided Ii was frugal repast when
considered from the standpoint of va
riety, but was plentiful. The menu
consisted mostly of wild fruits, altho
there was fish from the islands fresh
water lake and kind OF tea brew&
from forest herbs.
The evening was spent in reading
the only hood that was available, the
minister's Bible, and the trio retired
early to the uncomfortable hunks they
had built in the three boxlike alceyes
they called bedrooms. They slept
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 speek, increasing in size
as it neared the island. Soon it was
net more than a half mile away, and
from it flashed a 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 an anchor was lowered
into tho depths.
Fhe minister was first to rise, while
the sun was casting it's earliest rays up
from the west. He went cut to fill his
lungs with fresh sea air. and when he
saw the strange object eff shore. he let
cut a sheut that was altogether too
lusty to fit with the dignity of his
calling;
up, everybody. Deliverance has come!
Our prayers are answered"
In a few moments his companion
castaways Issued from the shack, and
at the same instant, it seemed a small
boat put eff from the steamer.
Shortly afterwaFd blue-clad young
man, accompanied by young woman,
got out of the boat, which sailors had
xrawn up on shore, and Approached
the group of eastaways standing
nearby
AT lastr' cried the young man in
blue. as he came close to the minister
and his companions. We've found
you, after searching the seven seas"
Some time later the erstwhile island
ers stood on the deck of the little
steamer and watched their deserted
heme fade from view
"What a wonderful manifestation of
faith" said the minister, as he turned
to his two friends. Capt. Garrison
| had talz with me in the cabin and