Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-03-08

"But," he began eagerly, Barton
may not be-"
"0h, all right, Mr. Inconnu, Barton
Staith is also my port l am lodging
with my married sister and her hus-
band; they do nothing but stupid fish
ing at farm close by-'Rose Tree
Farm"
"Why, that is where l came to lolre
to-day!' exclaimed the other, in ioyfu''
surprise. 'Some friends of mine recon-
mended it, and | came on the chance of
finding vacancy. My name is Dare,
if may introduce myself"
Thanks, and mihe is Alf Hesseldine.
| was baptized Alfredo, but I've always
been called ALI"
No wonder," said Dare, laughing
ut is peculiar, but the very name for
you, should say"
"Ha! hal that's what they all say
Now I'll try to get off, but I'm afraid
your boat must be left to its fate till
tomorrow Towing it"
"Left!-of course, Miss Hesseldinei
its loss or not is mere question of
paying its value" said Dare, aghast at
the very idea of her having to tow it,
''It makes me wild enough to tax girl
at all for me-"
Mr.. Dare, are we to be friends or
foes, please?" demanded Alf, severely
at which he laughed and humbly
begged forgiveness. Well, he would
steer
You'll pain your wrist, which I'll
doctor for you at home"
You are too kind. No, I'll use my
right hand. Stay-I can give shove
against my boat in lieu of shore SO
that your scull can get dip"
Between them, with much difficulty.
they got the boat clear of the lee shore
of rushes on which the wind strove to
drive her back. ALI got her nose round
and then in good earnest began the
hard-fought and even perilous voyage
across the Broad, in the very teeth of
the strong gale that simply poured over
the expanse of fiat land and water.
"a long pull, strong pull, and
pull all together" said Alf, bending to
her oars with all her strengths; but the
man, forced to sit inactive, set his
teeth hard, as he saw that the boat
''inched along simply moving whilst
the oars were dragged through the
water; dead still while they were
carried back for the next pull. The
work would have taxed his mans
powers - he had done such work
often-mueh more, therefore, a girls,
however strong and skilled. ALT had
too, to increase the actual distance III
reaching the channel up to Barton
Staith, so as to avoid the submerged
reeds which abound, and also to avoid
getting full broadside to the gale.
"You are getting Jagged" Dare said
at last
mo- it's all right; we're in the char
mel now"
She pulled on doggedly. All the way
across she had scarcely spoken, for
such hard rowing needs ones breath
husbanded all the time-a solid forty
minutes from start to finish. The rolls
of distant thunder and CLEANS of sheet
lightning had increased, but the latter
served them well in the dark night, eS-
peeially in reaching the staith.
THANK goodness!-here we are"
Alf said, as with one last long pull that
ran the boat up alongside the rude
landing place, she shipped her sculls
and sat still, whilst Dare sprang ashore
and lashed the painter to an iron ring
in the ground, then held out his right
hand to her.
You are dead tagged, I'm afraid,
he said, anXiously, as she stepped out,
boat-hoolx in hand.
"ouly bit tired" said she, pluckily
though it was tough, I'll allow, and
I've been a good way to-day. Don't
you worry about me. I'm all right
thanks" For, of course, he took her
boat-hool1 and offered his arm, which
she took in tactful courtesy, and so
feeling quite like old comrades already