Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-01-11

any out d SedSOuSU Tar. Ilny Stean
yawls chase between larger and more
cumbersome vessels, and make futile
attempts to sink the red buoy, which
marks the opening stake. The jaunty
yacht serving as judges boat is crowd
! ed with mariners bold, who hide under
smart caps and blue flannel toggery a
cowardly longing for the dull, tame
shore.
The sands are lined with people, who
cover the rampartS of the fort and fill
to overlooking the broad gallery of the
white hotel. Up in the little cupola over
the red roof an anxious group Of faces
watch the desultory movements of two
slOopS drifting so aimleSsly about the
small basin. At last a preparatory
| gun from the deck of the official launch
| gives timely ending to the maneuver-
| ing, and having Signalled for readi-
ness she steams away to form the outer
wall for the start. The Phyllis and
! Nancy, with reefed mainsails Staunch
and taut in the heavy breeze, and sim
| gle jibs pulled out like large balloons,
slowly swing around and advance to-
ward an imaginary line drawn be-
tween the gaudy sinker and the wait
ing launch. The Nancy has slight
advantage over her opponent, but is
coming so quickly with the pretty
white side touching the water that
great thrOb of fear StirS the interested
audience. Will she be too soon? Must
the race be lost before starting by a
wrong time calculation?
| Every face is turned imploringly to-
ward the Saucy steamer so needless Of
the catastrophe and eyes are strained
to catch the first flash of powder. The
Nancy actually leaps across watery
| space, widening to two lengths the
distance from her rival, and heads so
near the line that sickening appre
henSion of defeat stirs the nervous
group on the hotel roof. All at once a
bright glare greets the view, 4 resound-
| ing report arouses the imprisoned
voices Of the island, and with an in
slant of grace the pretty yacht flies
across the line, followed some seconds
later by the Phyllis, and the race is on.
But why does the Nancy steer so
madly toward the Michigan shore?
Can't she see her rival stealing toward
the little red buoy dashing in the break
ers before SheboySan? Has she ma care
for the yearnins eyes and anxious
hearts that follow the contest with
fearful dread? All. Captain VIII, have
you no pity for the girl in the tower.
whose white hand brushes your violets
to still the furious beating of her heart?
Still to the eastward she points until
directly opposite SheboySan, when,
helm shifted, she bears down on the
old lumber town, and the wisdom of
her sailing plan is apparent. The Phyl-
lis, in to the southwest shore, requires
n fourth tack to round the stake, which
the Nancy'S superior windward
strength has enabled her young COM
mander to reach without further eff
fort The test now is one of speed,
and her willy master hopes to pit the
old geometrical axiom of the single
straight line against the shorter,
though intricate, angle OF his rival.
Like great white birds they swoop
across the water, the beautiful out
spread plumage glistening with silvery
| brightness. 1t is n royal struggle, with
victory to the swift, for just as the
steamers throbbing engines cease pulls
ing the Nancy with wondrous speed
darts across the line, welcomed with
noisy clamor by the fort guns.
The race is won, with 80 seconds
gain from the outer buoy.
"Then you really forgive my stupid
blunder last night, and promise never
TO taunt me with it in the future"
"Oh! I'm not going to perjure my
soul with rash promises at this early
date. my dear fance," with little ten
der smile, 'but just at present for
give you freely"
Armstrong; glance was suspiciously
bright, and troublesome throat pre-
vented immediate reply. 1t came at
last, low, wondering voice whisper
ing humbly: sweetheart, how is it
you care for mef'
"Do you question my taste, sir?"
Marion answered, with tremulOuS
effort to be playful. Perhaps it is be-
cause | admire handsome men; per-
haps. who knows, because you are tall
and strong and masterful. I'm afraid
! haven't had time yet to discover Il
reason. That III tell you in the morn
ing. Tonight l am only conscious Of
one fact" raising her eyes trustfully
to his. 81 love you, dear, with all my
heart"
The music from the distant ballroom
came fitfully to two figures ensconced
in a corner of the veranda. Tireless
promenaders marched back and forth
necessarily, but the girls head WAS
turned away from the restless exercise
and the brilliant starlight shone in he-'
blue eyes fastened so joyOusly on the
handsome face bent toward her.
Pennsylvania Grit.