Clearwater Republican., 1921-01-14
Faithful
BY r. RAY BAKER

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 bowlder beyond
reach of the most ambitious waves that
thundered 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, 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
puroined from cornfeld scarecrow.
"But it's SO hopeless" he went on,
ignoring his companlon's pleading.
Were doomed forever to remain on
this speck Of dust on the sea. Here
It's six months and not ship has
been sighted. 1t looks to me, Sue,
as though Fate put us aboard the III
fated Seymour and then wrecked II,
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 to
be minister Of the Gospel-more of
Fate's handlwork-will perform the
ceremony that ought to make us both
happy"
The girl drew away.
ut can't be-" she said firmly. ~
remember my promise, and you should
remember yours. l told Manuel Garri-
son would be true to him. come what
may, and / intend to observe that
pledge. See, still wear his ring. And
how about Elsie Glenwell2 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 go on as they
have. It's difflcult--as much so for
me as for you--but they must con-
tinue."
The semlclrcle 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, 81
love you more than ! ever could care
for Elsie. She Is a wonderful girl and
all that, but after you and l 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 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,
l beg you. If 1t makes you feel any
better, l care for you, too. I was en-
gagged to Manuel when l was too
young to know what was doing. He's
wonderful fellow-and promise Is
a promise. 1t was about a year ago,
In New York, that l saw him last.
He was preparing to take his first
voyage as commander Of q 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
built Of ship wreckage in
the center of cluster Of trees. At the
doorway a mIddle-aged man, clad In
tattered garments Of black, met them
and smiled beatiflcally.
"Six months and no sign Of rescue"
he sighed. but he quickly dispelled the
frown that flashed to his face and
smiled jovially. LET US pray once
more for deliverance."
They knelt and prayed. Then they
partook Of q lunch the minister had
provided. 1t was frugal repast when
considered from the standpoint Of vari.
ety. but was plentiful. The menu con.
listed mostly Of wild fruits. although
here was fish from the Islands fresh
water lake and kind Of tea brewed
rom forest herbs.
The evening was spent In reading
he 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
hey called bedrooms. They slept
'oundly. for they had been working
lard. constructing new and more
elaborate home further up the slope.
The yellow moon was high in the
heavens when, up from the horizon.
'rept tiny speck. increasing In size
Is 1t neared the island. Soon II was
lot more than half mile away, and
rom II flashed beam Of light that
played across the water and finally
'ested on the strip OF land. Ap intent
listener might have heard the creaking
II a windlass as an anchor was low
red into the depths.
The minister was first to rise. while
he sun was casting its earliest rays
lp from the east. He went out to All