Smyrna times., 1932-07-13
WEEKLY STORY
AROUND TABLE
Reading to While Away Time
Under the Evening Lamp
When Days Work is Done
INTERESTING READING
WASHED ASHORE"
By H. Louis Raybold

the skiff. The dickens He was
adrift and already several hundred
feet from shore. The rope must
nave come united from the anchor.
Yes, there it was trailing. But it
looked as if-by Jove. it had been
cut
Probably by that red-headed kid
back there on the beach, jumping
up and down and laughing at him.
Thoroughly awakened by this
time, Jim examined the boat in
which he had so casually allowed
himself to take nap. There
were no oars and nothing detach-
able that might serve as oars.
The outer rim of the small cove
was fringed with small islands, some
of them grassy and tree clad, others
rocky and bare, and one with
house on it.
Chances were that he would
eventually bump one of those is
lands, and could either pick up a
bit of driftwood and paddle himself
to the mainland, signal the occu-
pants of the house for a rescue or,
at the worst. simply wait until
some one at the hotel discovered his
| absence and investigate.
Not until the skiff's side actually
grated on the shoal did Jim feel al
together certain, however, that he
was actually going to strike the bit
of land with a house on it.
Above him, obviously amused, was
quite the prettiest girl he had ever
seen.
Then it flashed upon him that
she might possibly be alone upon
the island, and, If so, the advent of
a strange man would most certainly
be annoying. She spoke first.
Il have been watching you, won
dering if you would make a good
landing. You see-my-my hus-
band will be back here any moment
with the boat and will be glad to
take you back. take it you acci-
dentally got afloat."
You've said it," cried Jim
4 gayly. "A little red-headed devil
cut the rope while I was taking a
nap. You see, | was-er-wait-
/ ing for er-wife"-there. that
would make it better all around If
she had a husband and he had
wife, the thought Of them ought to
act as sufficient chaperonage.
That's what it looked like. That
is, | don't mean it looked as if you
were waiting for a wife. but as If
you were adrift. Won't-won't you
come up and wait until my-my hus-
! band returns? He's out fishing
there, ! think you can see his boat
out near that buoy?" She Indicated
tiny black speck out towards the
horizon. He'll be starting home
presently"
SO, for two hours that passed
all too swiftly, they sat getting ac-
quainted while the sun sank lower
and lower. If the girl was good
to look upon, no less, In his own
masculine way, was Jim. And they
discovered a kindred taste in books,
marine engines and radio announc-
ers.
"What a pity" thought the girl,
"that every nice young man | meet
Is always married."
And "what shame" thought Jim,
''that the only girl I ever knew I
could love has husband !" but they
did not speak aloud what was In
their minds.
So engrossed did they become in
unearthing mutual congenialities
that the speck near the horizon had
grown to a sIzable object easily to
be made out as boat with a single
occupant, before either became
aware Of its approach.
The figure 1t held was a slim one,
khaki clad.
4sNeeds a haircut Z" was Jim's un-
spoken comment as he glimpsed a
tawny mop that matched the SUM-
set
Then he noticed that his pretty
companion was folding and unfold
ing her slender hands nervously.
"Mr.-er-" she began.
@Jim Murdock." supplied Jim
promptly.
'Well-why didn't you say so to
start with7" cried the girl. 'My sis
ter, who is staying at the hotel,
has told me all about you. And
about the book you are writing.
But" and she looked at him ac-
cusIngly. 'She distinctly said you
were a bachelorp'
81 am" said Jim meekly. 81 In
vented a wife just to save you en-
barrassment. Though you might not
mind SO much my unceremonious in
trusion IL you thought"
He was interrupted by silvery
burst of laughter. "H0w funny =
cried the girl. Il invented hus.
band for similar reasons. real.
lied right afterward that sooner or
later you'd find out but I thought
for the moment 1t would suffice. In
reality, that person in the boat is