Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-08-11

W duOteCl HouiuS DOdl COutdluluS q
couple or barefooted boys, eight and
ten, with wide trimmed hats, and
bright tanned faces and brown eyes.
A tall lad of sixteen, worried and
anxious looking, who was evidently
dismayed at the increasing swell of
the sea, and the freshening south
wind, was of this company, and also
a young girl with lovely dark gray
eyes-grave and thoughtful, yet
bright and flashing, as she watched
Harry while he rowed nearer and
nearer, in response to the halo of
the boys.
A decidedly nice looking girl; not
what one would call handsome, aud
yet the pure, freshing complexion.
ever so lightly suntanned, the scarlet
mouth so tightly closed, the waving
deep gold colored hair, thickly Braid
ed and hanging down to her waist
and her glorious gray eyes made a
whole that Harry Browne quite
thoroughly admired as he pulled up
alongside and spoke to her.
"Yo on seem to be in some difficult.
ty," he remarked, touching his hat
courteously.
She bowed.
"Joe is rather demoralized, |
think. There is no danger, is there,
sir ?" Harry glanced at Joe's scar
ed face, and the restless antics of
the boys in the tiny boat.
IF you had man in charge who
knew his business, there would be
no shadow of danger. AS it is, this
young man has no excuse for thus
venturing so far out"
1--WE were fishing," she said, in a
pleasant, apologize way, land l did
not realize how far we had gone.
Well" with troubled look that was
more anxiety than fear, "we must
do the best we can. Perhaps you
might tell Joe what to do"
"Harry replied. eff you will al
low me to exchange places with your
pilot, | will row you ashore | am
Harry Browne, of-brokers,-
street, at present stopping at the
Seaside House."
"You are very kind, Mr.. Browne,
and will thankfully accept your of
fer. My name is May Harper"
She laughed as if the oddness of
the introduction amused her, while
Harry made up his mind that she
WAS just the incest girl he had met
in many a day
well, then, Joe, you jump in
here and row yourself ashore. You
won't have any trouble to take only
yourself, will you ?"
The alacrity with which the lad
changed from the "Bella" to the
"Sadie" was sufficient answer, and
neither Harry nor May could help
smiling as Joe put for the shore.
II dare say he thought it was all
right May said, alphabetically.
He'd no business to think so,
though. Shall | take you straight
back, Miss Harper, or would you
rather fish while longer ?"
IF you please. will go back.
Aunt Jane will he worried about
me-"
She leaned against the side of the
boat and trailed her hand in the
water. while the two children sat as
quiet as mice, watching Harry with
awe and admiration as he pulled his
long, steady strokes that sent them
spinning along,while Harry thought:
"She is the most sensible girl l
ever came across. Pretty, modest,
dignified, pleasant, with no sham
reserve about her, any more than too
much freedom. And what thor
lady she is! 1 know her as well as
! if had met her thousand times. I"
And May, sitting opposite him,
watching the water as it danced and
sparkled, thought if ever there was
a true gentleman in manner, speech
and action, it was this handsome
stranger who was rowing her ashore.
"Will you tell me opposite what
hotel am to row you ?" he said, as
after most delightful hours con-
versation, he rested on his oars and
, aH har