The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-08-18
DRIFT BETWEEN TIDES.

to sleep by the narcotic kisses of Gree
Aud even the Eephyrs-gentle pages tc
the erstwhile brawlers-had been shu
up in the Weather Clerk 8 signal box un
til three o'clock in the AFTERNOON. TheI
the yachts came out, and the ZEPHYR
were released. 1t was not very goot
weather for sailing that the ZEPHYR
made, though they blew till their rosy
checks were like soap bubbles, and The
white sails were filled with scented
breath. The numbering schooners stag
gered in zigzag pathways, as if they
meant to slice away the island noses
with their dull prows; and indeed, the
yachts sailed scarcely any faster; only
the little plungers made unchecked head
way, running at their own sweet will, il
seemed; the north harbor was dotted
with sails. Every body and everybody
wife and children and friends were out.
So there was nothing strange about the
mere presence of young man and q
young woman in a small rowboat amidst
the scene Of lazy commerce and busy
gaiety. Certainly it was not strange, fol
there were q hundred other people out
that afternoon IN rowboat to say nothing
of the professional boatmen, the men
with sculls, and the rowing clubs. II
the people on the yachts which they met
noticed them, they doubtless viewed
them with pity mingled with contempt,
or else looked at them artistically, and
thanked God for poverty and the pictur-
esque.
As for the couple in the boat, they did
not notice anything but each other-at
least except az the young man found it
ing TO avoid being run down. After a
while even this became unnecessary.
They We're rowing with the ebb tide, and
after they had passed the newly finished
bit of sea wall east Of the old Meiggs
wharf, the channel WIS comparatively
clear. 1t was then about half-past three.
LET rs float" said the young man;
''pretty soon the tide will turn, then we
will turn"
very well, Ton," said the young Ia
dy. Really she was as yet a girl. She
could not been more than nineteen. Her
figure was slight, but Indicative of rare
gracefulness. Her face was not pretty
that is, most would not think it pretty.
Both mouth and nose were large. Her
ewes were blue, and helo CO. al look
half carnoot, half vdreleSs-difflculJ TO
define yet impossible to disregard. 1t
was q striking face, almost fascinating,
withal a good face-a face in which heart
showed first and intellect afterwards.
The man was exteriorly, commonplace
You might take description at random
from your scrap book of conventional
current fiction, and it would be likely to
do him more than justice. But what of
that? She was Laura" and he was
"Tom."
They had been talking gaiIy ever since
they left the landing at the foot of Wash
ington street. When Tom spoke they
had apparently reached some common
and very satisfactory conclusion, for they
both looked very happy, and she said
tenderly-for she had a sweet, low voice.
t'lnable as a perfect bell or wave sob:
"You will ask her tomorrow, Tom2"
eyes, Laura; or tonight if you like. "
"She will look at you wild eyed, and
perhaps scold you bit.
"Oh, I'm not afraid! How could I be
with such prize to gain2"
They had passed the point, the swim
mirg beach, the Preside; they were
nearing the fort at the gate. A sudden
swirl in the current twisted the bow o1
the boat sharply around. Tom had been
leaning forward, the better to talk to
Laura, the more easily to hold her hand,
perhaps. As the boat shifted its direc.
ton, he instinctively reached for the
oars. The oars were gone. lie looked
around but they were nowhere to be
seen. 4 cry of horror rose to his lips.
luckily he stilled it there. He looked
quickly, furtively at his companion. She
had seen, and understood. He forced 9
laugh, and his companion was deceived
by it.
Then it is not 50 very bad?" she said
and the color came back to her cheeks
"No, it is q good Joke" he replied
"Only we will be out rather late. Wher
the tide turns we will go back booming.
Really he had very little hope. His
Judgment told him that the tide had no
yet turned, and unless it did turn almost
instantly, the swift current would carry
them ont into the offing, and amidst the
breakers at the bar, where their frai
boat would not live an instant. Ant
then-. He could not swim a stroke
II he could the distance to the shore was
TOO far to make that of any use. If only
they had a rudder they might run The
boat ashore; but, unfortunately, they hai
been in time only to secure the very last
rudderless shiff "'Thank the Fates i
/ does not leak. Does not leakl" II,
looked down, and saw that the irregula
bottom of the boot was covered will
water to the depth OF almost halfa foot
When they had started away from th
pier landing, Tom had braced his fee
against bread cross elect, and Laura
stout boots rested on tue same dry foot
hold. Until then neither had noticed th
water.
Tom searched in the bottom of th
boat for bailing-can. He could nc
ind one. Laura moved so as to loo
INTO the little locker under the stern seal
There was no can there.
"What shall We dol" she said.