Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-03-15
CHAPTER II

"But / assure you, Miss Parkman
that Mr.. Harper has every reason tx
believe it is his island" insisted Jim
Now he didn't dare let her know
that he was Harper and he was afraic
that his colored boy might, any nom.
ent, call him by name. He stepped
back so that Nose could see him.
"Mose," he called, "where did Mr.
Harper go?"
Nose stared at him stupidity until
he saw that Harper was winking fur
iously.
"Huh, subj"
"Where did Mr.. Harper go and
when will he be back?"
"He went to tn mainland, sub. He
didn't say when he be back"
Jim Harper turned back to Jessica.
"We seem to be at status quo until
my friend Harper returns, Miss Park
man."
Jessica was beginning to like this
sunburned, dark-haired young man.
She was sorry about Harper, but, af-
ter all, right was right and she in
tended to be obeyed.
at is really too bad, Mr.-er-"
flames Robinson"
"Mr. Robinson, really too bad. I
am not blaming you, but you see this
really is my island. tt was handed
down from my grandfather. I am
here under doctors orders for quiet
and rest"
81 am sure that Mr.. Harper would
never disturb you," Jim said earnest
ly.
It pleased ,Jessica nightly to OBJ
serve genuine admiration in Jim's
eyes.
at isn't that, it is matter Of prin-
ciple. 1 own this island. I have a
cottage here, up at the beach and my
No Trespassing' sign is up. Natural
ly it is audacious for Mr.. Harper
or anyone to come to my private island
and put up a Keep Off, sign"
at is too bad-As I say, Harper
is really nice, decent chap, but stub
born as the devil. So long as he
thinks it is his island he will stick,
but am sure he won't object to hav-
ing you here ALSO"
"Object! Why, Mr.. Robinson, what
an absurd thing to say to me! OBJ
ject to my remaining on my own prop
erty!"
Jim sighed.
81 was having such wonderful luck
here fishing. 1t is really an ideal
place, sheltered cove, firewood handy,
and tarpon and sailfish galore right
off the point"
"There are many other islands, Mr..
Robinson. Pm really sorry, but it
is matter of principle. Be good
enough to tell this Mr.. Harper what
I said. Surely you can move to some
other island by tomorrow"
81 shall give him his message"
Jessica turned to go.
Shall accompany you back, Miss
Parkman?"
mo, thank YOU"
Jessica disappeared up the slope
through the thicket. Jim Harper had
no intention of letting her go like
that. Due to his superior woodcraft
he was able to keep her in sight. He
followed until he reached the edge of
the clearing.
1t was a genuine surprise to him
to see the portable bungalow, the
flower beds, awning and table and
every indication that Miss Parkman
really did believe that she owned the
island.
jim kept we'll hidden and watched
Jessica stride across the clearing. He
thought he had never seen a lovelier
girl, and he never had seen such a
wonderful head of hair. He loved
titian-haired girls-at least, he was
already beginning to love this one.
He edged around and almost guf-
fawed out loud when he saw Jessica's
"No Trespassing" sign.
He watched Dobson getting ready
for luncheon, the table being out un-
der a great orange canvas awning.
The aristocratic appearing lady with
the silvery hair, Jim decided was Jes-
sica's mother. He found, a moment
later, that he was right.
"Of all things, MOTHER" he heard
Jessica exclaim, "some stupid person
named Harper is camping down on
the lower end of my island and, what
is so absurd, he claims that it is his
own island"
NT-JoaJl Wall ,,ox, Iaar hnno