Evening star., 1936-08-06
INSTALLMENT I.

itself in a circling spread OF wash on
the hard-packed sand, the sandpipers'
twinkling legs carried them scurrying
along the moving margin of brine,
their long bills darting after the mi
mute rewards reserved for the eyes Of
sandpipers.
The hunters we're quite too busy
to display any concern whatever for
the girl whose motionless figure lay
but a little above the reach Of the
water.
Joan's dark eyes stared from under
their level brows at the unending rest
lessness Of the sea. There was hint
Of moodiness in their brown depths,
a pensiveness reflected in the slightly
parted lips. She reclined on her side,
head supported against her palm.
A scanty swimming suit of Nile
green revealed intimate contours of
body boyisil in its slimness. The
graceful legs were curled until the
heels of two small sandals very nearly
touched the bare flesh of the girls
rounded thighs. Her skin was olive
tinted soft shade that seemed little
II any induced by exposure to the sum-
Joans thick brown hair. freed from
the rubber cap she held loosely in the
fingers of one hand was pushed care
lessly off her forehead. Ruffled by
the steady wind, it glinted warmly at
the suns touch
Before her, endless ranks of white
crested waves marched shoreward
with muffled plungings, only to re-
treat in foamy confusion and reform
their serried lines. The near waters
were dull green, blending into a vast
eXpanse of blue and broken with
Uhitecaps as far as the eye could see
Well out, the hull of lone fishing
craft was being constantly lost to
view where it wallowed among the
waves. or passing ships there was
no sign. Not even the faint smudge
OF steamers smoke against the sky.
A sweeping curve of grayish strand,
backgrounded by high dunes that
sprouted patches of coarse vegetation,
hid the nearest habitation from
Joan's present retreat. 1t was a house
overlooking the water quarter of a
mile to the north, separated by an
almost like distance beyond from the
sprawling cluster Of cottages, shops
and amusement devices known as
NAPLES Beach.
The isolated building was Layland
Cottage. 1t also was Joan Kendalls
home, although she rarely thought of
1t by that name. Not now.
Layland Cottage was a squat, shin
gle-covered structure whose roof and
walls had weathered to an unobtru-
sive gray, the result of long exposure
to sun and wind. But a seasonal
application of white paint at the
hands of its owner, Jere Kendall, gave
pleasing freshness to window frames
and the posts of a porch that crossed
the front Of the house and extended
almost the length Of one side.
Joan's reverie was interrupted by a
sound that penetrated the monotonous
wash of the surf. the scuff1ing ring of
sand under rubber-shod foot. Her
brown head turned quickly at the
sight Of tall figure looming above
her.
The sandpipers took wing.
Hello, Miss Kendall"
Hello Mr. Deeds McCune." A
sudden flicker of amusement showed
in the dark eyes. as the girl added
the name to her mild greeting.
Without asking permission, the new
conner stepped directly over Joan and
seated himself cross-legged in the
sand
Didn't mean to-" he remarked af-
fably, as she dislodged a sprinkling
OF sand from her cheek with a brush
OF the rubber cap. Il was trying to
get my back to the SUM-" McCune
was removing a pair of dark glasses
as he spoke.
Its all right"
Joan's gaze reverted to the water.
The intruder upon her solitude was
lean young man, clad in nothing
more than pair of trunks and shabby
sneakers. His close-cropped hair,
which betrayed tendency to curl
tightly, was auburn. The blinking
eyes were much the color of Joan's
own. They were quizzical, friendly
eyes that matched the ready smile
of the wide mouth. The sun was not
kind to Mr.. McCune. His torso was
burned to painful redness, with signs
of recent blisterings. Freckles marked
his face and neck, the amber pepper
ing extending down over muscular
shoulders and arms.
"How's the water?" was his OPEN
Ing bid for conversation.
Nice"
And cold?"
mot particularly. Aren't you try
Ing it?"
Il wanted to take q hike first, up
the shore or down, whichever it
is. I was little behind on my smok-
ing and thinking. You know, can't
get much satisfaction out Of cigarette
when I'm in the water" He produced
pack from the pocket of his belt.
About one more and I'll be caught
up again. Have one?'
mo, thank you
If you're going in again I'd like
to join you"
don't think should almost
dry now. I was about to dress. The
sun will be doing things to me-"
You should worry" McCune
squinted enviously at her unblemished
flesh. IT'S a crime the way I get
broiled at first. I'm over the worst
-. I hope"
Joan made no response. Her COM
panion watched her speculatively, then
demanded:
What's so funny about my name?
notice you get kick out of say
Ing it,
The brown eyes that looked up sud-
denly made no attempt to conceal
their amusement. Joan'S white teeth
flashed a sunny smile.
Its not funny" she contradicted.
ut .. it's rather impressive. 7 like
to say it. Deeds McCune :" She
declaimed the two words musingly.
Il get it. Sort of like . like the
Light Brigade The way you say it."
"Or toast melba."
They both laughed