The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-10-30

of his face was revelation. He helpe
me into the boat with moro than his N
ual care. and seating me in the bow
stood for an instant gazing steadily to
ward me - If be would read me throug
and through. The scrutiny was not IN
satisfactory. saw that he attributes
the expression of pleasure with which
had received his proposition to sail, an,
the compliment had paid to his boat
less to love of the water than . desir
to please him.
"You will soon be Q sailor, Mary" b.
said. as be trimmed the sail to the breeze
land then we will live together ON tn
water, won't we!''
II can't promise you al that, Leon
ard" replied, smiling, "but mean t,
fight my fears until overcome them.
A cloud passed over his countenance
but the hopeful expression quickly re
sumed sway over his features.
"H you have . clear head and .
strong arm at the helm, Mary, you maj
cast away your fears. / am always OF
the water. and have never had an acct
dent yet. You trust me, don't you?"
''Indeed I do. Leonard. You are q
grand sailor. Whom could trust IS
do your"
Then you are not afraid now!" he
said, inquiringly.
'Oh. yes, ana little" At that
moment the boat gave sudden plunge
before gust of wind, and 1 screamed
with fright. There was really no cause
for alarm. and Leonard treasured me
with many tender words.
II have perfect faith in you as q skill
full navigator" I said, "but here is the
boat and the sail, and there is the wind
and that ever-trcacherous water. Oh.
how I wish I could see the bottom. ="
and 1 peered over the side. IF could
only see land down there. and knew
that l could wade ashore without wet
ting my skirts"
Leonard laughed ironically. "You
are as timid as q hen, Mary, and I sm
losing all hope of YOU"
Then let US turn about and 20
home" 1 responded.
''Oh, no. not yet," he said, with q
strange emphasis; Il came out for .
long sail tonight"
1T is almost dark, and l am growing
very nervous" pleaded.
''But l am not afraid; there is moth
ing to be afraid of; and you trust me-"
l still begged him to turn the boat,
and finally began to cry.
why, Mary, what a goose you are"
'No, not q goose, Leonard" l re-
piled, trying to smile, lyon know
goose is at home on the water
The day closed with all the glory of a
harvest sunset. A beautiful and pro-
longed twilight ushered in the night
One by one the stars peeped out from
the grand old dome above us and the
turbulent lake, now softened to a gen.
tie swell, reflected the silvery rays in
shivering streams of light. We were
miles from the shore. The sail of the
Mystic tapped languidly against the
mast as the boat rose and fell with the
heaving surface of the water. but not
breath crossed our path to propel US on
ward or homeward. We were be-
Gained.
Leonard was in ecstasy. l was in
tears.
As the night advanced and darkness
deepened, earnestly and tearfullv pray
ed Leonard to turn shoreward, but in
vain. In this hour startling change had
come over him. He was no longer the
ardent admirer, the tender lover, but
like tiger crouching within sure and
certain reach of his already wounded
prey. and watching with grim satisfac-
ton its fruitless efforts to escape. he re-
tanned his place in the stern of the boat
needless of prayers and tears, laughing
at my fears and wringing
my heart with ridicule.
A thick, cold, clammy mist gradually
crept around us, shutting cut the light
of the stars and enveloping everything
in impenetrable gloom. A light shawl
afforded little protection. and was
soon chilled to the bone. My teeth chat
tered. [ could not keep them still
Leonard laughed, a hard, heartless
laugh.
could not comprehend the meaning
of his behavior towards me. He had
always been so very kind. In the early
part Of the night he was tenderness
itself. Now his conduct was positively
cruel. l felt convinced most of the time
that he had some great surprise in store
for me, and that his apparent heartless-
ness was necessary to the success of his
joke. He was very fond of surprises.
But here We were away out in the lake
in darkness and fog, with no wind, no
possibility of escape, for there was not
the semblance of an oar or paddle en-
board. Then what surprise had he in
store for me?
''Mary," he said. after a prolonged
silence. during which he seemed wrapt
in thought, his voice now changed to its
natural tone. Il am sorry you are cold
l would take you home quickly if I
could, but l am powerless. Here, take
my coat. and wrap yourself in it-and
pardon my cruelty, I am not feeling
well tonight. Let us hope that . breeze
will spring up soon."
Here was the explanation I had 90
long waited for.
You are not well, Leonard. Know"
| said. Keep the coat, you viii need it.
Be sure l am grateful" added. fear
ing that he might misapprehend my
Il should be sorry to force
you to risk serious illness by depriving
you of the protection now more than
ever required"
He urged me strongly to take it, as
sertiDg that he was not in the least cold,
and 1 extended my hand for it, for was
suffering keenly; but failed to get it.
For some reason he had changed his
mind. and muttering something unin-
telligible to me, he laid the coat beside
him on the seat.
Il have something that must say
now" he remarked. after q brief silence.
The harsbness of his voice had returned.