The Syracuse Journal, Volume 20, Number 2, Syracuse, Kosciusko County, 10 May 1928 — Page 7

Idle Island

By ETHEL HUESTON Copyright 1927 by The Bobbs-Merrill Co. WNU Service. CHAPTER Xlll—Continued “Now, 1 won't bite you," he said, “don’t be afraid of me. Just be a good girl And do as 1 tell yotf, and sweet papa!” He laughed lightly at his own humor, then he added briskly. “See here, lion. You’d have to be married at once. If anybody should come on board to look us over, you -smuggled the girl aboard without myknowledge or consent. She is your sweetheart, see? And you did it. So they’ll have nothing on the ship. Now If you get.married at once it will clear me of any suspicion of complicity. “Y-yes sir,” stammered Ronald faintly, his eyes pleading with Gay. “N no.” she gasped. “Yes. You came for that, did you not"” There was severity beneath the itptain’s amorously playful tone. "Yo_ came for it—now you get it.. Not >ll women are. so lucky. We’ll, havt Bates, and Hodge come up to win ess it. Only takes a minute, nothing to it. really. Otherwise, Gay.’ he explained kindly, “it is an irregu lari y and we have many reasons for cot wishing to subject ourselves to an investigation. You, who know 3verything. know that.” Ronalds eyes begged her for assent, for acquiescence. 1 promised pro lection. But Gay did not look at him. * “Captain." she pleaded desperately. “I—l did think so. I—l did want to. But now—suddenly—l am frightened. I am pot sure. He seems different to me My—my heart fails me.” “Ah!" The brown eyes were narrow black slits. The voice sank to a pun*. “You know —what you know. Much.; One shrinks from a lawfully wedded husband who happens to be—a} odds with the law?” - 1 “Oh, no. it is not that.” She flashed > a sudden warm look full upon him “Not that.. What is the law to a worn arwhv —really loves? But do I? Or was I only thrilled for a time, stirred by mystery?’ Really. 1 do not feel the same to Ronald. 1 thought him, rugged, so big. -so virile. Now beside you he , seems—young—inefficient. Can he hold my hive?” The captain’s nead went back in a great soft laugh His eyes upon Ronald Ingram were straight and unfath omable. “Oh. that is fair, is It not, Rpn? Site must be sure of herself. Bait you cannot stay here while you decide Not the thing, you know Come with me. The captain is the official gutirdian _of his guests. I will take care of you —until you are sure.” Ronald Ingrain flung himself against tne door. “No.” he shouted. And. therr more faintly, “Never.” The captain’s pleased eyes did not wander from Gay s vivid face, where fear and daring struggled for control. He did not so muck as vouchsafe a glance to the officer who defied him. But the silken voice purred. "Oh, yes, RonaM.J Oh. yes. Come Gay." Ronald - Ingram slid slowly away from the door, his eyes upon his boots, and stood ipotionless while the cap tain, with Gay’s hand in his, led her back to the room from which he had brought her. “You’r*.- not only a very pretty girl, you’re a -ery wise one,” the captain said, as ee helped her, solicitously attentive. from the big slicker, and put her cost, gloves and leather hat upon n’hook on the wall, beside hfs own ■coat. ‘ 1 like that,” he smiled, giving U a little pat. “Looks nice and do inestic. Sit here.” H*. put Gay into a big chair, and glanced appraisingly the length of the slir-i young figure, in its knickers and bo'/ts and flannel shirt. Gay self-con secusly straightened her tie and smoothed her sleek dark hair. Now flat the protection of the high collar and the low-set cap was gone, wear! cess. exhaustion, showed in her and her eyes were fringed with black. He touched the bell, and stood in tbe door to answer it “Some port,’ he said, “two glasses. You ..are tired.” *»e sdid to Gay “Are you hungry?” “No. But I feel —very tired.” The boy passed tn the tray at the •door. and the captain quickly filled a email glass for her. ■. “Take this. And then you shall rest. But first, let me t6ll you this. N.o, drink it It will quiet your nerves. >t has been a shocking night.” His kindness was disarming. Gay drank it slowly, felt the grateful warmth in her throat, at her heart She smiled at him. “Now you are going to sleep, but these things you must bear in your mind. You can see that you are tied *o the boat as long as you live, can’t you? Now, is there any reason why you should limit yourself by marrying a young subordinate? People are only married for the eyes of the world Well, the eyes of the world aren’t go Ing to see much of you. We’ll go through a sort of form—to. get the papers right—and I’ll sign you on But you would be very foolish to tie yourself to—an underling—unless you are very sure you are very much in love, would you not?” “I—suppose so.” “I'll say so Os course, all this Is only laying up trouble for myself. Ronald who has been my friend, will be my enemy, but I can take care ot Ronald Our doctor is a rank idiot when there’s a skirt about, and there’ll be trouble with him, and trouble with the crew, and trouble at the ports. Rut then. I’ve had trouble before.” He smileo at he.. “You are a very pretty girl—and a very brave one. I think it's the nerve of you that really gets me. Worth a bit of trouble. I fancy.” A short rap at his door caused him to pull himself up. impatiently. “Not now. not now. I’m. busy," he Maid sharply, although he barely raised fcls voice above Its wonted softness. “Sir. beg pardon—lt Is very Important.” I'he with a bare sign IndiCi t : r>“ Gcv to move back into the BmT-a »• the room and remain quiet,

went. to the door. A seaman passed him a folded bit of paper on a tray. The captain read it, nodded his head reflectively, glanced back at Gay. “Send the chief engineer to me." he directed fbe man. And then he came, to Gay. The companionable frankness of his voice was gone, instead it dropped to its most silky fineness, a fineness she already learned meant danger. “Now tell me. who knew that you came aboard this boat?” His eyes hypnotized her. “Nobody.” she said quickly. “I give you m.v word. Nobody knew it.” “Who would discover your absence, and search for you?” “Nobody. lam an orphan, an artist, I live alone. The people on the island wiP think I have gone to New York for a visit. Nobody will seek me. 1 am a free soul. Ask Ronald Ingram He knows." The engineer touched the door, opened it and came.in. He did not glance at Gay in the corner. The cap tain handed him the bit of paper. “Shah we show them our heels?” The engineer considered. “How are the papers? Everything tight?” “Tight as a drum. Except this worn an—who smuggled herself aboard. But we can fix that up. The papers are pe-fect.” “Then 1 say we lay to. and give ’em the gab What to run for? Then they know it’s guilt. Face ’em. and flaunt it. I say.“ The captain smiled at him. nodded assent. “You’re right, or course. All right, then. I’ll be right down.” The engineer went out. The captain came to Gay and took her hand. His voice was soft, his touch caressive. “Now. Gay, this is your chance. A boat is drawinu up to us to look over our papers. You can go .back Xrh it if you wish. Would you like to?” Wild hope throbbed in Gay’s heart beat such a tumult of glorious relief she felt he must have heard its music. But she remembered what Ronald in gram had said, she was warned by the silken softness ot the- captain’s voice. Stilling as best she could the hope that swelled in her heart at the thought of rescue she said faintly: “Oh, no. Not yet. Can’t I just stay on—with the boat? Can’t 1 wait till 1 am sure?” “Are you sure you want to?” His voice was a velvet breath. “This may be your last chance to go back. Are you sure you wish to stay on?" “Yes. please. lam not afraid now You-will take care of me. I took a chance and came. I’d rather take another chance and stay. If you’ll let me.” . . “Good . for you!” His voice was warm and hearty. "1 see we re going te hit it off first rate. I’ll fix it up with Ronald. Stick to the original story. Gay. You smuggled aboard—under my own bunk—l always tell the truth when convenient—and I didn t see you until I hath finished my paper work ready to turn in I was just going’ to marry you to Ronald when they signaled us to lay to. Now you’ve got balance, and you’ve got nerve. You’ll get through It. Right?” Gay nodded briefly. “Stay right here. I won’t have you up at all unless I have to." He pulled a book from the rack on the shelf and threw it on the table. “Marriage service.” he said. "Just ready to read the lines over you. That’ll clinch it. Don’t be frightened. Gay, They may be only rum runners. They’ve nothing on us. Just.sit tight, and"— tie kissed her hand—“l like you. Boot Ronny!” Then he went out unhurriedly, smiling back at her. Gay turned off tne light in the room got her coat and hat, and crouched by the door which she held ajar, listening. When the moment came, she intended to run out boldly and de mand a rescue. The captain stopped to speak to Ronald, to explain Gay’s new status, and the two men went on deck together. Already a small boat manned with twenty men had put out from the coast patrol and was drawing swiftly up to the Roger Williams. “Don’t look so good.” said the cap tain slowly, scanning the horizon, for tying about them lay six boats of the little coast guard fleet, completely hemming them in. "It’s something more than rum.” he said. "I wish we could get rid of that d—d girl.” CHAPTER XIV With the Captain and his chief offi cer in the how of the boat putting out for the Roger Williams, stood Ran dolph Wallace, and he was laughing. “I know that boat,” the captain said, “she’s been held up time and time agaip. but she always manages to get clear. Slick as .the dickens, that gang. Money back of them That’s how.” “Site’s a beauty,” Rand said, admir ing eyes on the Roger Williams. The coldness of the morning air. the gnayness of the pale dawning, the tang of salt on his lips and in his nostrils, exhilarated and thrilled him. “What’ll they do with her. 1 wonder —the boat? I know there’s a big re ward out for this gang, but I think I’d rather have the boat. Do you sup pose they would give her to me, in stead of the reward? I feel just like settling down to a profession this morning. The last of the Captains Wallace. I think I’ll go to sea. Gosh how Gay would laugh." The captain laughed, too, compan ionably. ’ “They’ll put her up at auction.” he said, “and if you really want her—and if your' charges .against the gang hold water—they’ll fix it up so you can bi<j her in. They couldn’t give her to you outright—at least, I don’t think so—too much red tape But they could let you In on the bid ding, and see that you had the money." Rand’s eyes, already shining with pride of ownership, roamed the Roger Williams, showing strong and stanch in the gray light, coasting the waves. “I wonder I never thought of it before." he mused thoughtfully. “Yeh— Captain Wallace, last of the line

Pleased to meet you." He grtone* joyously to himself, thinking of Gay “Any red tape to keep me from going aboard first? I want Jo make sure of a good looking chap, with sad eyes like a cow.” The captain laughed and motioned him up. so that the first feet aboard the Roger Williams were not those ot active United States service, but the idle wandering ones of Randolph Wat lace. Naval officers, however, were close behind him. followed by twenty service men. Captain Garman stepped up to them quietly, all at ease. “You say you’re after an escaped convict, but you come well heeled for a single stowaway.” “You have found no stowaways aboard, then?” asked the officer courteously. “Well, a sort of one. A womanrunning after one of my officers. We discovered her under my owm-bunk, if you can imagine such galltM was just going to marry them when we got your message. Only this wtjman,” “Will you bring your passengers up and let us look them over?” “We are only a freighter, as you know. But we carry tin to twenty passengers on the side. Sublimated steerage passengers they are, cheap. Their papers are all right. I went over them myself." “We’ll look them over, if you dontt mind.” Captain Garman gave a quiet order in an unruffled voice, and a man detached himself from the group and ran down to put it Into execution. “We’re taking you back with us, captain.” the officer went on slowly. “We have the goods on you. If you want to go peaceably, all right. Or if you want a scrap, we have the guns on you.” “What charges, sir?” “Oh. a nice variety. Running Chinese, for one thing. Getting crooks out of the country on our side, and bringing them in on the other. Little matter of murder, too. if I am not mistaken.” Captain Garman’s eye turned slowly out to sea. swept the horizon. His men were willing to fight, ami the ship was built for speed as well as for endurance. But what chance, with six of the steel gray service dogs lurking watchfully at bay, hemming them in Rather match wits with the lawyers in the courts. “Ybuh find everything O. 1 fancy,” he said imperturbably, "but of course if you insist I will return with you.” » The passengers were hurried up from below, huddled back against the railing, and with them Gay, once more in her. dark slicker and leather cap, who had slipped among them as they passed the captain’s door. Gay’s heart was glad, in the knowledge that she was saved.' But when, in the rear of that group on deck, she saw Rand, debonair. triumphant, smiling, her first feeling ol heart-bursting joy that 4 he was safe gave way to one of humiliation and shame. Rand came in triumph, with the United States navy at his back, to find her here, knickered and booted, like a thief among thieves, captured, disgraced and bandied lightly from man to man. "Go over the lot of them." came the crisp order. “Look for papers, especially. and weapons. Lieutenant, take the second detail, and search the ship.” Gay cowered farther into the corner. Search her! She watched the approach' of a brisk young officer with horrified staring eyes. She bit her lips until she tasted blood; she would not move, she would let him handle her, let him search. At the sudden slap of his hand upon her hip she shrank back silently. ■ Feeling the bulk of the pistol in her pocket, he thust his hand roughly inside her coat. “Oh, no!” Her faint gasp was irrepressible, instinctive. But soft as it was, it carried across the deck. “See here!” With a bound, Rand leaped from his posture of careless grace against the rail, and hurled the astonished group from side to side before him. He caught Gay’s arm. and drew her about, amazed, incredulous. “That’s the stowaway,” the captain explained'Silkily. “Found her under my own bunk.. 1 was just going to marry her to my second officer.” “Gay.” stanniiered Rand. “Gay. Is it you? But it can’t be you! But •it is you!" Gay cowered before him. “Oh. Rand,” she sobbed. “I thought they had captured you and I came to be with you, and they hadn't, and you weren't, and—” “Rand.” she pleaded tearfully. I’lease! He can marry us, the captain, he can nairy anybody. Randjust to please me.” “Gay. do you mean—” “Oh. Rand!” / “Well, there’s no reason why he can’t, is there?” Rand demanded quickly of the officer who commanded' the capture. “Not if you make it snappy.” said the officer, laughing in huge enjoyment of this unexpected turn. “Before I take over the boat.” “Oh. we’ll *>e snappy, that’s the thing we do best. Gay. think a min ute! Bull yourself together. Are — you—sure?” “Oh. Rand !” “Well, how about It, captain? You’ve no objections, have you?” “Marry her! Marry you!" ejacu tated the captain, dazed with the sud denness of this surprising new demand. “You.! Good lord! Another one! Came on board after Ingrain switched over to me. and now got the books in you. All right, all right, i’ll marry anybody. She’s the smooth est worker 1 ever saw. Jim, bring up the book from my desk, it’s open to the page. We 11, have Ronny for one of the witnesses. Good lord—another one—and been aboard less than two hours.” in the pale gray light of Christmas morning, standing out bravely, a disheveled absurd little figure, with a band of desperate criminals to left of her, a troop of American guardsmen to right, with Captain Garman, wanted for a hundred crimes in half a hundred ports, reading the service ovei her in a sott and siikejt voice. Gay Delane, in boots and rubber slicker, with tear-blinded eyes and salt-stained face, renounced her freedom forever I THE END.)

THE SYRACTSE .TOTRNAT,

RINGING APPLE TREES OUTLINED Until recently the practice of ringing fruit trees has beets frowned upon by practical orchard men. Now it bobs up for attention—not so much because it is anything new as because some new and forgotten principles have been worked out regarding an old art, writes H. B. Tuckey. in the Rural New Yorker. Os course, the idea in ringing is to hasten bearing. Standard cultural practices, such as fertilizing, cultivating, pruning ami spraying, should come first on the list, but if all of these possibilities have been exhausted, then ringing may right fully be resorted to. The prac tiee is especially suited to the filler tree to hasten its fruiting. But the old methods of ringing in which a piece of bark from half an inch to three inches was removed frojn around the trunk is no longer considered good. The shock to the tree is often serious, and some trees have not recovered. The better way is to make a ring one-quarter of an inch wide, or even less. In fact, it has l>een found practical merely tq score the trunk or limb by drawing the knife about it. but making sure to cut through to the wood. Some advise covering the wound with strips of cotton cloth dipped in grafting wax. while others declare that healing is sufficiently rapid so that no protection is necessary. If wrapping is'done, the material should not work into the wound or it will interfere with healing. When scoring is done instead of ringing, no protection is .necessary. The best time to ring is when the tree is still growing vigorously, and before the fruit buds have been formed for ■ next year.' This, means last week in May or the first week in June in average seasons in New York state. With tiller trees the entire tree may be “rung” or “scored." but with permanent trees it is safer to treat one or two scaffold branches on a tree at one "time rather than the entire tree. If the fruit sets heavily it should be thinned. Some Essential Points in Spraying for Aphids A few essential points to watch in spraying for apple aphids are listed as fellows: “Do not spray when the buds are wet with dew ot during showery weather. Select as far as possible days for spray operations when the air is balmy ahd little or no wind is stirring. High winds cause waste of materials and make thorough treatment difficult. High temperatures accelerate the volatilization of the nicotine. ■ X “Apply mixtures under high pressure, using a 'fairly coarse and'driving spray Remove all waterspouts and suckers during early spring. The rosy aphis and the green apple aphis are partial to them and they often constitute centers of infestation, particularly for the green aphis. “Judicious pruning of trees to remove excess wood not only makes for greater productiveness and better color of apples, but it also helps to simplify the work of spraying. With open-headed trees rains and wind have a better chance to remove many aphids.” Top-Grafted Apple Tree Bears Fruit Like Graft A tree when top-grafted will bear the fruit like the graft on all branches which grow from the cion. Branches which spring from the original stock below the cion union will continue to bear fruit like that of the original seedling. Consequently all the limbs* on the tree will have to be grafted or cut away to change over the tree into a- new variety. The following are good winter varieties of apples: Northwestern Greening, Mclntosh, Salome, Malinda. Haralson, Perkins and Delicious. The latter may be used if your tree is in a rather protected location. ************************** * * £ Horticultural Notes * * * ************************** Cherry trees seem to need early planting, that is, well before they leaf out. A wet soil is quite injurious to the cherry. • • • Watch for currant Worms and white butterflies and spray the small cabbage and cauliflower plants before the worms get a chance. • • « Oil emulsion sometimes separates when hard water is used, and under such conditions a bordeaux mixture should be used as a diluent. • • • It will soon be time to spray for the peach curl, and we must all be ready to hit this pest such a jolt as it has never had. •■ « • The pine mouse which girdles the roots of fruit trees underground. Is becoming a troublesome pest in New England orchards. • • • Cions for grafting should be cut before the buds swell in the spring unless the grafting is done early, when the cioqs may be cut at the time the graftings are set. ♦ • • Spray machines should be thoroughly overhauled each winter —both engine and pump. Accessories such as hose, rods, repair tools, and spare parts require attention prior to the opening of the spray season. * • We’re told a lot about air drainage for fruit—not planting In a low spot where cold air settles. We mustn’t overlook good soil drainage either. Fruit trees won’t stand wet feet. The level of standing water in the soil must be at least two feet downthree feet is safer.

OUR COMIC SECTION _ If- 1 Events in the Lives of Little Men W ' v, VRAIRIE SASEBALL (EAGOF . iT SEASON OPEN S' ' (Copyright. W. KU,> . THE FEATHERHEADS v Fanny Says the Wrong Thing X"so she togged and . \ Xha ua iufs a N. r£ fte _ «_ / Togged on’em aajp of \/good one < Wats a \ j w these <>J■ ;k)sr | COUPSE THEV WOCLDNT GO X HoTONEL-IVE BEEM 1 qi t -TctTkuT/I OM.ANDI SAID’WEIL,DFAD'E.DO \ HAVING A HARD TNE ■ J 1 3 •’ SOO think Voo COULD WEAtt SHOWING FANNS’ LATELS’ II To PRoVE SOMETHING- A— ~ 'EM 7 and SHE SMD wHS?NO.3oE, j J PANfe ~'V To — 7 OF COU2SE M6T* 'NELL, SAeS L/ in 002 HOUSE - I'LL. / “REMEMBEQ THAT P JoST TCJ? THAT/ A / I j ’ - I VA NA Z ■ A ■ Sv - Jt. ffr | DO SJO \ OF COURSe\ • /PP I PwELt?) ' tunk Too could I | _/ L COULO /b— V 3 ./sTOI 1 \ V J fgL 'em 2 / y ‘W’ y-aw /r\\_ x 'MJ © Western \ '' 1 oSjqa'fe.. FINNEY OF THE FORCE Peg’s Back (oo I LOOKt ) To HW WMTO \ Itw ««« WSIAU.’ / t \«UST tHCAV X —XV-—X FULL FEQ.THAT WRESy/ ' I LAST FO'.VE-AN SENT \ X >’ \ HtQ WSTALLMINrS NUM; / \ BER Tour an’ Fo»VE \ »jk\ I WHi W-Z TT ' Ttww 7 • vn/ So A i /from The DW?es\ Mu/sbuMAkc mcTioeo.L ( daxice Mere j / ©i thought Tex west \ iftiSGouiN is PEeFGCuy/t I goin' to f. faiTm, I I gopo’ io the chi KO- J nfferent-J x , \ pracTor /z 7 g) We»t<rn N«w»pap«r Union AUXAnusg.-

HAD IT IN FOR HIM Husband—“ Why are you taking it

out on your wife, John?” Friend—- “ Because she has it in for me.” The Wandering Public “An aviator is held in the highest esteem." - “Yes,” said Miss Cayenne. “But I should never marry one. There’s no use asking an ace when he will be home. You're lucky if he ever gets home at all." —Washington Star, The ancients often used seashells as a source of lime in their glass-making.

Star and Scenery “You have an exceedingly presentable secretary.” " “Yes.” answered Senator Sorghum. “Since I find it desirable to exclude myself from promiscuous view I thought it no more than due my visitors to make the scenery as pleasant as possible.”—Washington Star. Excavations at Beslan show that this ancient city was Inhabited for more than 3.300 years, up to early Arabic times.