The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-02

Winfred Gushing was pronounced the
crack canoeist of the entire summer coll
ony at Lake Sunapee. But the young
Harvard graduate has never laid per
sonal claim to that distinction. and, in
fact. he entertained serious doubts as
to the validity of the claim made by
his Jealous associates and merry camp
ing companions.
In a fragile cedar shell, that was the
correct model of the canoe builders
art. the young enthusiast was accus-
toned to make frequent excursions
about the lovely sheet of water while
his gleefu Chums were swimming,
climbing the steep and ruggel slopes of
rock-ribbed Kearsarge or Sunapee
mountains, or perspiring in ducks and
the glare of the scorching July sun
upon the tennis courts in front Of the
big hotel at the Harbor.
The summer man" was indeed very
sadly lacking at this favorite resort
and among the bevy of attractive young
ladies who swarmed the hotel piazzas
daily, vaguely wondering if 1.-THE next
boat would bring any really attractive
young men," We're several misses whose
prospective fortunes would have made
them enviable targets indeed for some
designing noblemen CD with a title to
exchange for good American gold
Like most young men Winfred
Cushing found much that was really
enjoyable in the many attractions that
were provided ut the hotel To encour-
age the frequent visits of the handsome
campers.
In common with his associates he at
tended these entertainments, and here
he met a beautiful picture of female
loveliness--Miss Eleanor Van Court
landt of New York, the belle Of the
summer colony and an heress to
very wealthy household.
1t was upon the occasion Of one Of
these particularly brilliant functions
that he found himself in the conserva-
tory with the young lady in question,
watching from the leafy bower the
giddy walters upon the polished floor.
Perhaps you were not aware that l
paddle, Mr.. Cushing" she inquiringly
remarked, as she looked up into his
handsome face with a bewitchng smile
playing about her lips.
Indeed, I was not" speedily replied
the young man, as he recognized in her
words the generous insinuatiOn that
they conveyed. Il am pleased to know
IL. llpNCNtt' IiINt EOu d ttll't Htl''
Not yet: it will arrive tomorrow,
and then. sir, beware lest | Wrest your
valued title from you"
All! a challenge" he lauEhingly re-
sponded. and he saw Il CLEAN of lie
light ard satisfaction in her eyes as
she coyly answered:
"Well-yes." and then her laughing
voice rang through the leafy arches of
q ha in Il,
burst into a peal of unrestraiucd mcr-
riment.
And SO on the morrow as the beau
tiful heireSs saw the light cedar shell
borne from the steamers deck to the
wharf her heart leaped with pleasure
as she thought Of the days of bliss that
We're in store for her, and Wintrcd
Cushing from his station among the
throng upon the pier, gnawCd almost
Ni1iously ct his unlightcd cigar and
jingled a bunch of keys in his pocket as
he softly murmured:
Pretty Craft-Dretty owner" and
ter minutes later he was padding
swiftly out of the narroWs-alonc with
his thought and in the glad sunlight
that kissed every tiny dancing wavelet
and sent back a simmer like bur
mshed silver from his dripping, flash
ing blade.
she is a deucedly handsome girl
there is no dsputing that" ne kept
solioQuiZinE, and he piled his ;ladc
with still greater ViGor, turning the
Prov of the canoe ont from the leafy
shadows near the shore and heading
for the bold promontory that jutS into
the lake near the distant towering
lighthouse.
At the island, under the shadow Of
the big tower, he drew w his frail
craft and was soon at full length upon
his back in the shelter OF the jagged
lcdgos-thinking of her and the new
canoe.
she really challenged me-" he
mused, and the thought REQUIRED again
and again, until he found himself light
ing a fresh cigar even before the first
had been half consumed. Then the
flash of something in the water close
at hand, and the CLINT of shimmcring.
silvery object. that was reelected in
his spectacle lens, caused him 10 sit up
abruptly.
Great Scott" ne exclaimed, If she
isn't out already" and he Eazed across
the intervening water to where, a num-
Der Of rods away, a canoe with its fe-
male occupant was rapidly leaving the
island, Il feel Just like taking a trial
spin with this fair amazon" he
thought, and Immediately h strobe
down to the waters edge. and as he
was IN the act Of stoopng to launch his
canoe he called, wait moment and
I'll accompany you"
He saw her hesitate and turn with a
sudden nervous start, aud as he lifted
the light shell into the water he fam
cied that she missed "A stroke, as though
the surprise had "rattled" her. Then, as
he took his paddle in hand, ne saw the
light canoe ahead spring forward with
new life, and instead Of pausing the fair
Canoeist bent to her task with a will. as
though to challenge him by her very
act, and in another minute she had
disappeared from view around the
Jutting point Of land, while Cushing,
resolutely sent his feather like craft