Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-09-29
NOT COMMONPLACE.

When Clinton's engagement to Miss
Lanston had been broken because of Greta
Morrys, conjecture grew and thrived in
all directions as to whether or not Greta
was betrothed to Mr.. Clinton.
A few there were who asked Mr.. Clin-
ton himself and received only the disheart-
ening answer, "Ask me no questions and
I'll tell you no lies"
All of the Chase house guests, therefore,
were on the qui vive whenever Clinton and
Greta appeared together, and indeed, the
uncertainty of it all lent new interest to
the idle pleasure of the hotel life on the
Maine coast.
When early in the week it became
known that Francis Greyford was coming
down from Bar Harbor to Squirrel island,
apparently for no better reason than that
Miss Morrys was there, those interested
made sure that at last they would be able
to solve this riddle.
Several days passed and envious girls
had grown familiar with the tall, strong
figure Of the new man lounging on the
piazza near Greta when he was not rowing
or playing tennis with her. There was no
change in Miss Morrys' manner.
There were, Of course, several girls ready
to tell Greyford about Clinton, but he did
not seem to mind much, and only this
morning he had been heard to ask her to
60 rowing, In spite of the stormy sea, be-
cause he liked to be with her where no.
body else dared to CO.
She had laughed at him caressingly and
looked out at the wind swept ocean
thoughtfully before she answered: eyes,
let us CO. 1t will be an experience that
will forever after prevent surface acquaint-
ance between us. :"
Greyford spent the half hour she was
away anxiously watching the water He
was afraid he had been unwise in asking
her to go out, but when she came down
stairs ready to go she was such charming
picture he forgot his anxiety.
"There are, after ALL" she said, "few
men who are not commonplace.
No man is always commonplace, " he
replied gravely. "There are times in the
life of even the most ordinary man when
he is unusual Those things depend toe
much on environment to generalize about
them"
She gave him surprised glance which
he did not notice, for they were close to
the beach now, and his eyes were on the
sea, gray and Opaque, mirroring the
gloomy sky above 1t.
Short, crisp waves broke on the sandy
shore and Tapped against the boathouse,
while, farther out, the waves were choppy
and fecked with white caps.
"Would you think me very commonplace
If were to tell you that it will be most
unwise for us to row round the island to-
day."
eyes, should" she answered tersely.
II should not have asked you to go.
Look at that sky and wind 1t is going
to storm frightfully in about half an
hour"
II shall like that, said Greta reckless
~. "When l said would co. told you
1t was for the sake of the experience.
II do not like the responsibility, he OBJ
served
She threw back her head and looked at
him through half closed lids. "How does
1t feel to be afraidp"
He gave her wrathful glance and NOV
ed away to the boat waiting on the beach.
Without word he helped her In, took up
the oars, and, with the long, steady stroke
Of crewman, swept out into the channel.
"How vexed you are'' she said, careless
ly pinning her hat on her head.
mo, am not vexed," he answered,
"but 1t will not be laughing matter.
You are very reckless
"Well, then, SO are you," she retorted.
His eyebrows drew together with a
difference am not reckless for my own
sake"
"For mine," with an upward fling Of
her lashes, "or for the sake Of being
thought uncommon"
II will leave you to guess, (" he answer
ed dryly. Uncertainties always attract
you"
Greyford looked at the lowering storm.
cloud and then at the expressive face of the
| girl before him, into which no touch of &c.
robustness had come.
"If we 60 round the island, " he said an.
grily, 1--WE take our lives in our hands,
probably to dash them to pieces on the Hyp.
ocrite rocks" He rested on his oars,
still looking at her.
II have never been near DEATH" said
Greta thoughtfully.
His lips came together firmly. IT will
not take you near 1t. Have you never q
serious moment in your lifep Is there
nothing more to you chan effervescencep''
Eyes, she said simply, there Is much
more to me. Because it has never been
put to the test in your presence you ought
not to think 1t lacking The effervescence
would not be attractive II Its foundation
were poor"
"Thank you," he answered. ~ am
glad. 1t Is time, then, that we stopped
this madness. We will 60 back"
Greta made no answer, but the woman
In her approved Of his quick tone Of com.
mand. The boat swung round under his
skillful guidance.
They were almost mile out from shore,
with the wind and tide against them, and
Greyford's teeth Get firmly az he saw the
little Roadway they were making.
I'VE must beat the Storm" he said
gravely. A wave Of foam crested water
rolled over the boat, dashing itself up into
Greta's face and over her gown, but she
did not even start Most girls would
have screamed" thought Greyford. with