Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-12-16
THE ISLAND

coveted one which was displayed IN a
shop window, but Christopher refused TO
buy it for her. She was to the
quick, not by his refusal. but by his
words.
ASK some other fooli'
She never forgot that he had played
her SO low
Now this ring which glittered In Chris
topher's own ..easury was testimony that
he, too, remembered and wished TO make
amends. While she had been hugging
her absurd little secret OF the flower gar
den. he had planned a far more dramatic
surprise.
She forgot her flowers and sat dream
ing while the sun laid q golden path
way over the ocean. Presently she awoke
to the fact that Chris would soon be
home n find no dinner in the pot.
She did her best, but the devil was in
it all. In her furry she upset her pans
and burned their contents. hen Chris
arrived-tired and hungry. thinking Of
the good meal which awaited hlm-he
saw only a sketchy repast extracted from
tins n smelt the odor OF singed soup.
Carol almost choked him with the rap
ture OF her greeting. His own response
was but feeble, for he was still sad over
the lost illusion OF dinner.
Whats bitten your" he asked. You're
all up the pole"
"Thisl'
He stared at the emerald lying on her
palm and then at her flushed. excited
face.
His own grew black as thunder.
What man has been here?" he shouted
Man? Christ You're madi"
Not me. l smelt a rat when you
wouldn't come with me this morning.
Some chaps been here and given you
that"
His words stung Carol to blind fury.
In a trice she slipped back to a time
when the sun was young n the great
lizards and prehistoric beasts wallowed
and fought in their primeval slime.
With all her force she struck her hus-
band In the face. The ring caught his
mouth, cutting his lip.
At the taste OF blood he saw red. He
rushed at her. The fiery sun set on a
u sea boiling in foam over sunken
rocks and on two figures locked in ele-
mental combat.
with shame for their outraged code, they
turned away. each unable to meet the
others eye. They shrank to lady n
gentleman, products Of an overcivilized
generation, stranded by some strange
chance on a barren rock.
For their own magic island had sunk
into he sea.
They left the island next day. During
the remainder Of their stay they manu-
featured perpetual conversation. Once
again the silence had fallen.
A few weeks after their return to the
city they again met the devil. Business
had called John Brown to the capital.
AS he entered the restaurant OF his hotel.
his eye fell on the couple at the next
table.
The man was engrossed In his food
the woman concentrated on her cigaret.
Both were ~married-for they had nothing
to say to each other.
At that moment the woman looked at
the devil.
Her eyes, though brilliant and beauti-
full, to him were terrible. They were
blasted. And he had seen them brim-
ming with the glory of the dawn. AS
his eyes fell On The hand, he noticed that
she wore an emerald ring.
A terrible doubt clouded his mind. He
remembered his own ring which he had
lost on the island inc his sense of guilt
at being an Intruder in a private para
disc.
II this were his property it had brought
with 1t no blessing, but a curse. He felt
apprehensive whenever he looked at the
beautiful lady, as though the ruin OF her
happiness was his own handiwork.
He knew that he was fanciful, but the
morbid dread throbbed like a fostering
wound; he felt he could not sleep unless
his doubts were laid to rest.
Greatly daring. he approached a casual
acquaintance and asked for an introduce
ton to the Storms.
In the impaired state Of their finances
the young couple was not averse to
wealthy new acquaintance. They were
rather pathetic in their semi-isolation,
for they were still too honest to COM
mand respect as splendid spendthrifts.
John Brown sat with Carol, In the
lounge, lost with wonder at having Melted
his brilliant freely as his companion.
She laughed as his eyes strayed furtively
at her hand.
You're looking at my ring. It's treas
ure trove. l found 1t in a pool on o des-
on to 1t, but how can 1t belong to any
ont but the devil?"
Her word suggested a fresh train Of
thought.
I've q confession to make" she said.
"A lew months ago you came, by acct
dent, into my Dom at the Ocean hotel,
lust a. J was working q spell to call up
his satanic majesty. And isn't 1t o shamer
Ever since, I've called you The Devil'2"
John Brown licked his dry lips.
II hope you've libeled me. One tries,
In a small way. to DO good. 1t must be
terrible to be the Father OF all Evnl"
He tried TO think of the many chari-
ties to which he subscribed, especially
those which did hot publish the list Of
donors. But he drank In every word, as
Carol fippantly related the story Of their
adventure IN the island.
"A glorious rag" she said in conciitxf6fl,
but my complexion never got over it
never before have I inflicted this
history on such a patient listener"
John Browns throat was sanded as he
put the dreaded question.
Carols face clouded.
That part Of the story is not for pub |
lication. BUTT bad to end. Winter
upon .ps,"
Yet" said John Brown. everything ,
nay depend on the manner Of the end.
lad 1T, by any Chance, Il do with this?V
AS he touched the emerald ring she
rave a cry.
How could you guessq Yes. It had
'verything to do with the END. cam
ten you any more except that the
,eVii himself must have dropped it in
nat pool. For it killed all the happiness
= q perfect world and ruined two lives.
as they we're beginning again"
John Brown seemed to shrink under
is starched shirt front.
Carols voice changed. +,
ore you with this" she said lightly. !
Your confidence is safe with me- re- {
iarked John Brown. We're strangers
fe may never meet again" I
I'm glad" She bit her lin "For I've /
I'D too much" 4
Then won't you say something morap :,