THE GIRL ON THE ISLAND

"Phil, it looks like only a little more than half a mile over to the
island. Do you think we can make it?" asked Madge, casting speculative
eyes toward the distant island.

"Of course we can," declared Phyllis. "I'm sorry that Eleanor and Miss
Jones did not come with us. But they have become so domestic that they
can't be persuaded to leave the houseboat. Nelly told me she
positively loved to polish kettles and things," Phil replied.

Lillian, Phyllis and Madge were in their own rowboat, the "Water
Witch," which had been expressed to them from Harborpoint. They were
no longer in the quiet inlet of the bay, where their houseboat was
anchored, but rowing out toward the more open water. On one side of
them they could see the beach in front of a large summer hotel. Across
from it lay a small island, to which they were rowing.

"Miss Jones doesn't like to have us start off alone this way. She has
grown dreadfully nervous about us since our experience in the cabin,"
remarked Lillian. "That is why she didn't approve of Madge's plan this
morning."

"I thought Madge was going to fly into little bits when Miss Jones
suggested it was not safe for us to row about here in our own little
'Water Witch,'" teased Phil.

"Phil, please don't discuss my temper," answered Madge crossly. "If
there is one thing I hate worse than another, it is to hear people talk
about my faults. Of course, I know I have a perfectly detestable