Evening star., 1922-11-19

~ T.
7 TURNED to hy, but 1t was too late.
i There was sound Of quick foot
found myself confronted by the
prettiest girl have ever seen in my
life.
She was dressed in short blue
skirt, with a soft, cream -colored
shirt, open at the neck. From under
q red tam o-shanter her dark brown
hair hung down her back in two long
plaits. reaching just below her waist.
For a moment her gray eyes con-
templated me with calm surprise.
Then her gaze travelled to Rufus. who
promptly sat up and wagged his tail.
"That."'I explained, lis his manner
Of apolosizing.:'
Her lips parted In frank smile.
II expect,"t said. "that ought
to be apologizing instead. This is not
my island, as-as you probably
know"
1T certainly isn't nine." returned.
land you were here first
VERY WE'LL" she said. iii accept
me break a plate"
"Your nerves must be splendid"
said. II should have broken a whole
dinner service"
She laughed cheerfully.
ut was silly of me to be startled.
but somehow or other one doesn't
expect afternoon visitors here" Then
she paused. II don't know whether
you are a friend of the owner" she
added. Indeed. I'm afraid don't
even know who he Is"
Ills name," said. us George. We
are slightly acquainted"
"And did he build this hut?'
NO" said proudly. Il did that"
Il really must apologize then" she
said. I'm afraid I've been making
free with your property In the most
objectionable manner"
IF you won't think me inquisitive." !"
I began, may I ask how you man
aged to get here?'
She smiled.
THE same way that you did, I ex-
pect. My boats round the bend there
behind the trees. It's only a three
tonner, though" she added regret
fully.
looked at her with some interest.
"Are you accustomed to roam about
the high sea single handed in a three
ton boat?" ] inquired.
"Oh. yes" she said. "They are the
easiest to handle"
"They are certainly the easiest to
get downed in." replied.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Its not my boat. you see. I
She was interrupted by a violent
kissing from the fire.
"Oh, dear" she cried in disnay.
There's the kettle boiled over!
You'll excuse me a minute while 1
make tea. won't your And she dived
into the hut.
Selecting q comfortable place, I
spread myself out on the grass and
Rufus came up sideways and licked
my boot.
"Rufus." ! said, I'VE have struck a
remarkable adventure. We have dis
covered a mermaid, sea-dryad. an
island goddess" went on. In fact.
I'm not at all sure that we haven't
found Astarte herself"
1t was at this point that, heavily
burdened with accessories. the god
dess emerged from her retreat
I'm afraid it's a poor sort of tea"
she said as I jumped up to help her
unload. DO you mind a mug and
condensed milk? They're all I've got
to offer you"
"OR a desert island" said. both
a cup and a cow would be painfully
out of place"
Taking her various burdens from
her, 1 began to set them out on a tree
stump.
IF I'd known was going to have
a visitor" she said, I'D have made
some hot cakes. AS 1t is, you'll have
to be content with gingerbread and
biscuits"
THIS beautiful girl, with her perfect
i self-possession and astounding
absence of convention, baffled me
completely. Who on earth could she
be, and what was she doing on my
island-or, to be strictly accurate,
Georges island?
You shall have your hut by six
o'clock" she said. breaking biscuit
and offering half of it to Rufus. 'Tn
get my belongings on board directly
after tea"
II hope you won't do anything Of
the kind" answered promptly. Il
never use the hut when I come here.
I always sleep on the Scandal"
"On the what?" she asked, opening
her nice gray eyes.
"on my boat" explained. II call
her the Scandal because she travels
faster than anything else in Scot
land"
Her eyes sparkled.
II wonder II she could beat the
Penguin? That's my boat. I've only
hired her, but she goes like bird"
well, If you'll stay till tomorrow
we'll have a race" said.
She clasped her hands.
1T would be fun. wouldn't it?"
Then she paused. But don't think
ought to-" she added regretfully.
Nobody viii find out" said re-
assuringly. IT hadn't come blum
dering In here, how long were you
going to stay on the island?'
Another three days." she admitted.
II have to be back on Friday"
WELL" said, III you don't stay
those three days shall never forgive
myself I really don't want to use
either the hut or the island, on my
honor. I've got my anchorage and
we shan't be in each others way. It
n