The Washington times., 1894-10-21
q Shrewsbury WO0inq.
TBE MARION HILL

SKY. theodore looked around anu UP. oue
was on the bridge above him, and was
gazing down into his boat and upon his occu-
patton with absorbing interest, for he was
handling a crab net most dexterously. He
knew her by sight as a sort Of genteel poor
relation Of a Mrs. Riker, who lived in the
neighborhood. She also knew him by sight
as a working partner Of old Sam Hurlbut,
who acted as middleman between the Shrews-
bury River crab beds and fish stall in a
third-rare New York market.
'sDo you want to come down and try?''
asked he.
''Yery much indeed"
81 don't really see how can run the boat
up close enough to the bank; the tide is so
low" continued Theodore.
Just run her ashore as high as you can, -
she said. a trihe imperiously," ana I'll get
aboard somehow"
She disappeared from his view and began
to walk across the bridge.
Theodore discontentedty laid sdown his net,
and. scOraing 10 pick up the oar, he lazily
moved himself and boat along by pushing
against the cool wet piles OF the bridge.
Whenever an extra incautious shove sent the
nose OF his boat in among the piles he vel
coined the diversion Of eXtricating himself
for he was in no desperate hurry to have his
day iDterfered with by a strange young
woman.
She was ready waiting by the time he
neared the shore, and when be took the pole
end Of his net and pushed the boat well up
into the ooze she stepped in easily without
any help. Even before seating herself she
picked up one Of the oars and with two or
three vigorous digs sent the boat well out
into the river
'This is the coolest proceeding I've seen
for months, thought the young man wrath
fully. and plying his pole he painstalingly
pushed the boat back into shore again. She
looked at him in amaGement.
more crabs close in, - be said, laconicaliy
But you were in the middle of the river
when ] spoke TO you" she said.
"And was served Just right for it, too, -
he said, ''that is, hardly got a crab"
The girl said nothing. Theodore looked at
her with an artistic appreciation OF color
While looking he made the comforting dis
coyery that the cir. was pretty, and with the
discovery he lost all his chagrin and began TO
devote himself 10 her.
'NoW you sit still for a while and watch
me, be said with a radiant smile. This
business looks mighty easy, but there's a
knack TO it all the same. See that big fellow?
Swashi I've got bim,'
With an athletic swoop be brought up the
dripping net full OF wildly-flghring seaweed
and dumped the mess into the bottom OF the
boat. out OF the mess scuttled an immense
crab which made straight for a shelter under
the young woman's dress. She screamed.
''Ihats all right. He won't hurt you.'
"Oh. Oh. what a vicious looking beastI'
she walled.
The crab had brought himself, after the
fashion Of ms kind inJo a condition Of petri-
hed quiescence. and was looking hxedly md
wickedly at her.
Il never can stay in this boat: please let me
out" implOred the girl.
Il beg Of you 10 take my word. said Theo-
dore; you can sit il a boat full Of crabs and
YOU will never get touched. Only you mustn I
put your hand near them
She sat down again only half consolei. but
forgot her prejudices in the next excitement.
Swoop, Another crab.
''This is a sott-shell one, and perfectly
harmless. You can pick him out with y0ur
fingers, said Theodore, Inyitingly holding
forth the net.
-'Oh, dear, nol Take him out yourselr'
said she, shuddering.
For the next few moments Theodore
worked quickly and s.ully. inspired
with the knowledge that his audience OF one
was watching him with admiration. Standing
straight, with his ewes fixed on the water. Ire
used his pole to propel the boat laziy along,
and yet every minute be made a triumphant
scoop 10 the right or the left and added
vigilant action he was wondering how on
earth be was to address his companion. He
knew perfectly well that she was called Het-
tie May, FOR he had often heard Mrs Riker
call down The lane after her, but he did not
know whether May was a surname or part Of
the Christian name, and he certa nlv did not
dare call her Hettie. In the midst Of this
reyerIe she amazed and angered him by call
ing out in terror:
''Oh. Theodore, poke that crab awav. it is
coming straight toward me.' She called him
by name as she would have addressed
lackey..
He did as she requested, but made an ex-
perimental reply:
You needn't be frightened. Hettis Nav. I
told You before that they wouldn't hurt you
if you let them alOne.'
She gave him a frozen glance, under the in
nocent indignation OF which he felt a twings
OF conscience, but he SAID nonchalantly.
"Ihat is your name, isn't it?''
son, yes that is my name. certainly. but 7
was not aware that you knew it. I"
''N0r did ] know that YOU knew nv name
was Theodore" he replied.
She appeared to be struggling with herself
Tor second or so, at the end of which she
explained E0od-temperedly:
Il never dreamed Of annoying you bv call
ing you Theodore. but have heard Mr.. Hurl-
but refer 10 you so often by your first name
that used it unaWares. But call me Hettie
May by al means
Indeed. beg your pardon he said in
vague apology, land by way Of eDtreotiny
you TO call me just Theodore I will painstak-
ingly keep my surname from you.
But to his indelnable disappointment she
seemed perfectly indifferent, and merely
asked politely:
May take the net now and try?"
Certainly" he said, relinCuishinp IL st
once and staring mOodily at her timid man
agemeut Of L.
In friendly firtations he was an adept. and
Il set him back when he was not met al least
half way. No disinterested spectator wouId
have wondered at his chaCrin, either. for he
was as Endeniably attractive as he was sue
cessful crabber.
"You viii have TO come over here in nv
place ne announced, still gloomiIv. "Steady
now; give me your hand" After a deal Of
unnecessary wobbling and band-clutching
the change was affected, and the young girl
stood unstgadily in the PROV, while Theodore
sat himself opposite and poked some fight
into the crabs.
After an interval Of slow. uneventrul pas-
sage through the shallow water Theodore
asked sarcgsticaliv:
"Mhere arc your crabs?"
u can see any" she replied, with eyes
glued 10 the stream.
"lou have passed some Of the finest ones in
the river was his next remark.
i really did not see anyl' she said nite-
ously.
The fresL breeze had Ioosened short locks
Of her hair, and was now blowing her dress
aftectOnateiy close TO her form. To keen her
nat on she had ducked her head to the wind
and was keeping one eye tight shut. Alto
gether she looked so unaffected. so pretty an
young. so everything that softens the heart Of
man, that Theodore came instantly out OF his
discomfort and became helDful