Reel Life (Sep 1913 - Mar 1914)

6 self! I'll go off by myself so you won't be too scared to eat. I reckon clams '11 be about all I'll get !' , j * When he came back in the afternoon, she had managed to repair with cocoanut fibre some of the rents in her gown and was altogether more presentable than her surroundings and castaway condition seemed to warrant. She made no objection to bis sitting down by her side near the fire, or cooking their supper— but she replied to his remarks in monosyllables and succeeded m conveymg the idea that he had very seriously of¥ended her. An hour later, he walked half a mile down the beach-and slept in another gully all night. She realized afterward that she barely got an hour's sleep before morning. He knew perfectly well that there was nothing on the atoll which could possibly harm herbut she was by no means .so sure of that. Next day, he built himself another hut in a better and more sheltered spot-m fact he applied all the knowledge he had gained in years of knocking about the world to make it thoroughly comfortable and habitable It was larger— the roof was thatched with four layers of sand, a"it /"'I clam-shells, thoroughly water-tight. There were two delightfully soft bunks inside made of cocoanut^fibre in many layers Iheve was a door, made of planks from the raft to which she had been lashed— and, best of all, there was a little spring of fresh water at the foot of the sand dune on its inner side. During the whole day, he never came within quarter of a nanle of her— after an early visit before she was up to procure some live coals for his fire. As evening approached, her own fire died down to a mass of glowing cinders from which she couldn't succeed in coaxing a blaze. On the second day— hei fire out— her pride completely obliterated by the consciousness that she was alone— and hungry— and needed him— she walked along the beach to his hut and sat down by his fire. She realized, with some disgust for the artificialities of life, that no gentleman of her former acquaintance would have trea'ed her in just that manner— and she was equally positive that a woman could not always trust a gentleman as far as a wan— who played his game in a primitive man's way. "■WelP Come down to pay a little social visit? "No I've come to stay. You mustn't leave me again like that !" "Got over being mad at me?" "Yes. Wlhat's the use! I'm entirely in your power. "Hmph! I don't think I deserved that slap! You'd better go back to your own cabin— I'll see that your fire's kept up and that you get enough to eat." "Very well— if you insist. But I'm very lonely— and a little afraid. I'd rather stay with you" "Look here, girl^f you stay here with me, day after day, I shall kiss you again. Any man on top of God's green earth would do the same thing— under conditions like this ! "And any woman's on God's green earth would wonf him to— if she was human. We may be here for years— perhaps all our lives !" "Hardly. No island on the globe is as isolated as that! But we may be here a few years— possibly. According to the story book writers, I should kiss the hem of your skirt and be your very humble servant until the ship finally came." "Yes I used to believe that sort of thing the only course a gentleman could possibly follow. But I think I'm beginning to realize that no real woman ever cares much for a fool! Our situation here is the most amazing, upsetting thing that has ever happened in my life. Why— I dont' even know your name! You are yoM— and I am J. A man and a woman— alone on a desert island, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. And none of my old rules of life seem to apply. And I wouldn't spend another night alone m this place— away from you— for a million dollars!" She made a little appealing gesture with both hands which was irresistible. He came around to her side of the fire and took her Reliance