Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-10-02

~~N-
head.
1t was Tredennack dinner hour when
they left Tredepnack beach, so there
were no witnesses of their departure,
and they were well out upon the face ct
the river before the clock i'll Tredennack
church tower sent its changing note
across the water to tell Of l O'Clock.
A half nervous smile lay on the faces
of Noah Capel and Thomas Bullasy as
they heard it, and they grew uncomfort-
able upon their plank.
"That's work time," ventured Noah
Capel. with giggle.
claw, now, is it?" remarked Ann
Tod calmly az she looked away at the
tower med:tatively.
Gus ought'er be back" ventured
Thomas Bullasy.
"This is better n work, don't ZEE con-
sider?' queried Ann Tod, turning her
sleepy, smiling eyes full on him.
"Better'n work." Thomas affirmed,
with half dazed appreciation. "But-
us-ought'er be back.
They were nearing the other side by,
this time, and as Ann Tod looked ur's.e
the sloping gardens there was more in
her eyes than the sleepy smile with
which she had looked on Thomas Bull
lasy. Mayhap it was the devilment he
had remembered earlier III the day.
And in these garden sloping to the
river, where the water Tapped the thick
stone walls and left them green and
Shiny to the measure Of the tide, stood
matrons with their babies in their arms,
old grandfathers smoking after dinner
pipes, youths netting, maids coquetting,
children playing in the sun. And as the
boats came alongside Ann Tod's arms
slackened stroke. and jerking her head
toward the lovers in her wake she called
upward to the groups:
"What do ZEE think Of my sweet
hearts? They IN come for q bit of boat
ride for to see which loves me best.
There's no time for the considerin Of
such things on dry land.
And then she threw back her head and
showed her broad white teeth and
laughed and laughed, a most infectious
laugh. Then the idlers i'll the gardens
leaned upon their walls, and gazing
upon the boats as they drifted slowly by
sent back words Of rare appreciation.
And Noah Capel and Thomas Bullasy
sat and chafed upon the seat, and re-
gretted the inartistic prominence of
empty hands and the overbrilliance Of
blushing cheeks, as they endeavored to
swallow back the modification which
rose in their throats, and grinned sheep
ishly under the blaze Of rnthlessly crit
ical eyes.
All along by the houses they drifted
with the stream, and when at last the
treble voiced children also realized that
there was hulnor in the scene shrill
shouts of derision added to their elders
broad outlaws.
All this Noah Capel and Thomas Bul-
lasy bore awhile with feeble smiles
about their lips, but the weight of the
part they were called upon TO play grew
irksome to them and they fretted under
the burden OF the comedy.
"Us'll go back now, eff you please, !"
remarked Noah Capel severely.
But Ann Tod only smiled upon him.
"Eff you'll let me take them oars, !"
suggested Thomas Bullasy, "I'll be get
tin back to work.
Claw, now, wouldn't fer worlds, I"
declared Ann Tod. 81 do love good
long ride upon the water. -
"Then I'm blessed eff don It cut this
'ere 'tarnal roper' cried Noah Capel,
reused into aggression by the sight Of
the nearing quay, with its knots Of
idlers.
"Where'd you be then, my dear?"
queried Ann Tod.
And truly Noah could not have an
swered her with any defniteness, for the
ways of the waters are uncertain.
The sulky faces of the lovers, towed
all helpless and protesting, their fingers
idle and their cheeks aflame, We're yet
more droll than their sheepish smiles
had been. ara Ann Tod seemed to find
them SO, for, as they neared the quay,
her whole lunged laugh rang out upon
the air, until the idlers ceased their gos-
sip, the chafferers left their bargaining
and looked upon the boats as they drift
ed slowly by.
"We'm out fer holiday, called Ann
Tod. "My sweethearts are decidin
which wants to ave me most"
cav, you little devil" burst forth
Thomas Bullasy, twill ZEE let me land,
or won't 'ee?"
Won't ZEE, gibed Ann Tod.
GEES a bit shy, is that one at the
left," she called up again to her audi
ence on the quay. /" 'Ee don't like bein
looked at Will ZEE be SO good as to turn
yer leads while we'm passin?"
And the audience on the quay opened
its mouth without reserve and shouted
at the entertainment.
"I'll get 'ome some 'ow," declared
Thomas BuIlasy, goaded to fury by the
prominence thus thrust upon him.
"Won't ZEE get out an walk?" sug-
gested Ann Tod sweetly.
"I'd like to have the handlin of yer
ears" fumed Noah Capel.
can to think I put zee in anuther
boat!'' deplored Ann Tod.
"Will zee take me back?" roared Noah
Noah Capel.
"Bless yer cart, I'm adoin Of it all
the time," cooed Ann Tod, but tits
brave way round. %
CAV, you littlo devilp' cried Thom-
as Bullasy again, variety Of expression
failing him in his wrath, 'I'd like to
have my foot Oh land. I'd let zee know. :"
Iss, my dear. I thought you'd ave
made up yer mind by time us got 'ome, J"
agreed Ann Tod. And then she grasped
her oars again ard rowed out toward the
sea, and the lovers sat inactive i'll the
little boat as it bobbed over the waves
and sickened of tie sight Of water.
1t had been scarce o'clock when Ann
Tod left Tredennack beach. 1t was near
ing Z when she pulled toward the shore
once more, and the sun was growing
ruddy and the waters touched with fire.
On their voyage they had passed by
many habitations, and great was the
wealth Of badinage which had fioated out
to greet them. Now, as they drew near
land at last, it was borne in upon the
fuming youths that here also lounged
another audience, and the wrath within
their hearts grew iiercer.
Then from tie shore there came fire
of fierce upbraidiDoS, and Ann Tod rec