The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-15
A ROMANCE OF TO-DAY.

This was a ridiculous time of year to b
staying in what was in reality a summer
hotel. There was no help for It, however.
calamity had befalen Mr.. Baniamin Baxter's
town house. II was one of a row of hand
some marble-front residences, and q fire that
had occurred next door had resulted in his own
domicile being SO thoroughly flooded with
water as to require almost endles repairs
and renovations to furniture, carpet, walls,
crings and the like. The fremen, too, had
with commendable ZEAL smashed in large
section of the roof, necessitating considerable
repairs in that direction.
NJ. Baxter, who was q retired plumber, be-
Eevedin repairing this sort ofthing thorough
~, and also in personally experimenting the
work. Moreover he informed his excellent
wife and dutiful daughter that such was his
hatred of city hotels that he would rig up q
tent and camp out in the vacant lot oppo,
site should they attempt to move into town
before their dwelling was in readiness to re-
ceive them. As for himself there was no
difficulty; he was comfortably provided for
in the rooms of an elderly bachelor friend in
the same block, right on the ground, where
he could hurry the repairs forward with all
possible speed
Mrs. Baxter, being thoroughly amiabie
lady, and devoted to her husband. acquiesced
in theHe arrangements, though there was 8
good reason why they should be particul-
8rIy trying to her at this time.
The cause for her trouble lay in the
continued presence of the two young
men who had persistently laid siege to the
affections of her daughter Ethel all through
the summer. Apd, in order to obtain an
idea of the exact situation at this time, a few
words of explanation are necessary.
The two young men were named respective
ly Mr. Edgar Ingram and Mr.. Clarence Forbes.
They were residents of the same city as the
Baxter family, and a matter of course,
while outwardy civil to each other,
were in reality on terms OF the
deadlest rivalry Mr.. Forbes had the adj
vantage of old acquaintance, having known
the family for nearly two years. Mr.. Ingram,
on the other hand, was a comparative novel
ty. He had known the family only q few
months, but had certainly made good use Of
his time He possessed the advantages of a
certain sort of good looks, cultivated man.
ners and considerable money Mr.. Forbes, on
the contrary, had little in the world save a
handsome figure and still handsomer face.
He was a struggling young attorney and still
had his way to make. The two, as has been
intimated, had not as yet come to an open
quarrel, though they had several times come
peTllOuBIy near IT,. VI attitude Oh the pd-
rents it may be said Mr.. Baxter's was
one of total Indifference; he simply
adored his fair-haired girl and
said in effect that there was
nothing on earth she could not do that she
had mind to. Mrs Baxter, however, was
not unnaturaly, strongly in favor of Mr.
Ingram, whose superior advantages in the
way of wealth and position there was no de-
nying. Miss Ethel herself was noncommittal,
so far; but, being an extremely dutiful
daughter, was far from being unaffected by
her mothers counsel. Then, too, Clarence
had chosen to be as jealous and hateful as a
bear of late. and the desire to demonstrate
to him that she was entirely mistress of her
own inclinations was much too strong to be
resisted.
This morning. dull, gray, unpleasant
morning early in November, Mr.. Forbes
and Miss Baxter had come nearer
to an open quarrel than for
point-blank of trifing with him; she had re-
torted that she did not wish to triie with
him an instant longer than he himself
choose to be trifed with, SO there. Her
big blue eyes had snapped wickedly as
she said it, too; and poor Clarence had wan
dered away alone down the beach, a very
disconsolate man indeed.
1t was nearly two hours when he returned
much to late for dinner. Just as he was
turning aside to ascend the slope to the hotel
he caught sight of a small group of figures on
the beach, and observed lank fisher
youth. with bare feet and a tattered blue
flannel shirt, in the act of LAUGHING a heavy
yawl. used at this late season for fishing eX-
cursions. Mr.. Forbes hesitated a moment,
glanced at the sky, and then walked quickly
down and joined the little party, Miss Ethel
glanced at him indifferently; Mr.. Ingram ac-
corded him with supercilious nod. Mrs.
Baxter barely noticed him.
81 hoo your nardpn - hauap Clarence how.
ing gracefully, "but venture to hope that
you doIot contemplate sail this mora
ing
- "Oh yes, Mr.. Forbes, we did," replied Mrs
Baxter, cheerfully, with an unmistakable
emphasis on the pronoun.
Clarence ignored the snub and began again:
81 beg you will not think me intrusive, Mrs.
Baxter" he said, "but ! can lay claim to
enough weather-wisdom to feel certain that
sail in q tub like this to-day may prove ex-
tremely unpleasant, and hope you will not
undertake it,,
Mr. Ingram's sneer became more accentu-
atcd.
But Clarence looked so handsome and so
earnest that Mrs. Baxter who was not
valiant soul on the water, might have relented.
But Ethel who got it into her sunny
little head that Clarence merely wished to
spoil her sail in. Ingram's company, decyeed
otherwise. With Ingram still sneering
industriousy, she stepped into the
boat, drew her mother in after her and signed
to the fisher-boy and Ingram to push of.
Don't be concerned about us, Mr.. Forbes"
she called out, sweetly but you may come
with us, if you like, and if you are not afraid"
She had no idea that he would accept the
invitation, but it was all he was waiting for.
The boat was ten feet from shore, but he ig-
nored the ruination wrought to his handsome
aTab trousers and elitteFing patent feathers
and rushed through the strip ofwater, clutch
ing the gunwale just in time to be drawn into
the now rapidly-moving craft. Both ladies
gave vent to a cry of surprise at this extra
ordinary proceeding, and Mr.. Ingram so far
forgot his task of sneering as to laugh
a little. Clarence said nothing
but glowere6 at him very savagely and clam
bered down into the bow, where he crouched
down, very cold, very uncomfortable and al
together miserable
He had not been there five minutes before
he began to feel thoroughly thankful that he
was there. The yawl was under mansail
top sail and jib, and by and by her old timbers
fairly creacked with the way she was flying
through the water. The wind was almostdead
of shore and increasing every moment. Mr..
Ingram stood at the tiller and directed the
4oy III the manipulation of the sails. Ethel
fairly shouted with glee at themagnifcenceo of
the run, and Mr.. Ingram almost felt compen-
Eated for his rivals presence.
Ii was not long, however, before Mrs. Bax-
ter noticed the extreme haZlnesS OF the shore
line and began to realize the distance they
were out In spite of Ethel's protest she
peremptorily bade Mr.. Ingram put the boat
about and make for the shore.
1t was not until the young man attempted
to put her orders into execution that those
on board realized tide force of the wind that
was blowing. 1t came with great, powerful
gusts and made a horrbel singing sound as
it swept through the seanty rigging. Then,
too, it suddenly beanie apparent that while
Mr.. Ingram was sufficiently expert at running
a boat before a fair wind and an
outward sea, he was a very landubber when
it came to question of lacking for the re-
turn journey. The instant that he realized
this Mr. Forbes sprang to his feet and stag
gered to the stern, where sat Mrs. Baxter |
and Ethel, both looking very pale and very
frightened.
Better give me the tiller, Ingram" he said |
to his rival, without arrogance, but with |
quiet authority that should have told any |
one but simpleton that he meant to have |
his way. |
Il shall do no such thing" retorted Mr. |
Ingram, growing very white; Il know how to |
sail a boati
At the instant ha mada tho rau,o II, Il