Evening star., 1932-09-11

A NEARLY-ROUND moon shone in the xky
n Lois loved these brilliant nights I've
years ago they had planned their wedding for
the 9Th Of August just in order to take sd-
vantage Of the full moon for their trip.
They had been glorious-those nights On
Georgian Bay. A tiny, tree-covered island all
to themselves, little log hut with huge
fireplace, where Gordon had made a cheerful
fire every evening. It had been cool, out unde.
the stars, but they had spent many hours
there, wrapped in blankets, reclining on pdl-
lows atop the smooth rocks.
Their greatest fun had been in fctionizing
the nearby islands. Lois vivid imagination
named the long narrow isle a half mile away.
the Shoehorn, and the closer one, where the
waves dashed over lonely shore the Apos-
trophe, from one of Byrons poems that she
loved. Then they peopled the islands with
men and women and told each other facts
about the lives, hopes, visions and ambitions
of these imaginary couples.
Gordon had been the last word in tender
ness; his solicitude and gentle consideration
had constantly surrounded her In those
lden-tinged days there had been no breath
of criticism complaint. Unconscously she
sighed. If they could have continued that
way! Her throat felt choked and uncomfort-
able. Had she, perhaps, been just as much
to blame for the parting of their ways? She
wished they could go back to those other
moonlit nights.
1t had been Just such glorious night as
this that Gordon had been hurt. Even after
nearly two years, Lois shuddered at the mem-
ory Chopping wood for the fireplace, slip.
a gash-and near-tragedy. How desperately
fear -crazed she had been!
Still gazing absent -mindedly out the window
at the moon -mellowed landscape, Lois gave q
start. Half block or so from the road ap-
peared lake, and in the center, two islands.
Gordon, look" she cried excitedly. The
Twins-remember?" and pointed to the tiny,
tree-covered islands
That's queer" muttered Gordon as he fol-
lowed her direction. "I didn't know there was
lake anywhere around here"
Lois straight figure was tense.
And see-there's Apostrophe. And Just
about the same distance from the other two
islands as the real one up north was from the
Twins"
Gordon slowed the car to an easier speed.
Certainly is an exact replica all right, but
they can't be islands because there aren't any
lakes around, Lo"
But even as he spoke he remembered, Just
family stories of how hilltops looked like is
lands in fog-made lakes. But this resemblance
it was almost beyond belief. Gordon drove
slowly, one eye on the lovely picture along the
road.
by Jove. there's Honeymoon Isle" he ex-
claimed another small body Of land showed
in the distance. Remember the queer, jag
ged shape of it, Lo? Just about a mile from
Is
BILE isn't it?"
PUT Lois face was transigured with amazed
awe. It was almost as If the hand of God
had moved, had placed IN their path duplicate
scene. to remind them Of those first happy days
together of their VOWS. In those honeymoon
days they had made such stanch promises,
had been so sincere, so in earnest. Lois heart
ached over the way they had fallen from that
-l;A~ Iraw xS-I,k
ton.
Farther on a larger piece of land emerged.
There's Heaven" Lois faltered keeping her
face turned from Gordon, that he might not
see her tears. But this was too much for him.
He placed one firm hand over the twitchiHg
white fingers and refused to let them go.
Remember how it got its manner" he sen-
'quired softly.
"Yes" in low voice "and that night It
certainly was Heaven to me-to find q doctor
ON that island who could get back to you and
save your life"
Remember how many miles you rowedf"
Lois shook her head. She could not trust
herself to answer.
well, remember those little hands were
so blistered that you couldn't use them for
days"
DO you know what we agreed that night?"
Lois voice was low and Shaky, but she man
aged to make Gordon hear.
The injured leg had been cared for. the
blistered hands bandaged, and the doctor re-
turned to his own island, hereafter to bear the
appelation Of Heaven as far as the Chadwicks
were concerned. Lois face had been streaked
with tear stains, her hair had fallen over one
eye, there was a smudge on her chin and her
lips were quivering, but to Gordon she had
looked even more lovely than that day, a week
before, when garbed in white satin she had
caught at the heartstrings of all the wedding
guests with her breathtaking beauty And to
Lois it was as If her loved one had been re-
turned from the grave. The doctor had said:
Another hour and we would have been too
late, Mrs. Chadwick"