Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-04-24
THE NEW SKIPPER d
q OF THE NANCY.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"She IL a beauty. Joe. and no mis-.
take"
Eyes. and fast. too"
"That's her best point. In my estina-
tion."
with a skillful turn Of the wheel. that
was 10 little as to seem almost Q toy.
Joe Parsons brought the trim steam
launch gracefully around the end OF
the pier and up beside the floating
stage, with mnneuvcr 10 clever that
the paint on the side Of the little craft
was not scrapcd.
Fred Allen sprnng out upon the
stage. and then. running his eye along
the lines Of the boat. repeated his re-
mark:
"Shc's a beauty. and. 40 you say. fast.
Jove. she cuts the air at such q rate
TINT she carries a cool breeze with
her on the hottest night"
Then. with a cordial Good night"
Allen lightly climbed the ladder that
led TO the pier. while Parsons. after Q
preliminary toOt Of the little steam
whistle. backed slowly out Into the
stream. md then kept up the North
river at full speed.
"a beauty. indeed" he kept repeat.
ing to himself. thrilling with q strange
pride at the thought Of being owner.
master and crew of such saucy little
marine creature.
For the Nancy seemed almost alive
to him. He was a bookkccper In q
downtown hank. a sober. Industrious,
loyal. and good.hcarted fellow: who
preferred the pleasures that do not
appeal to tie general run Of young mon.
Two ycars before he had conceived
the Idea that for ut lcnst six months In
the year 1t would give him great pleas.
ure to spend his evenings and holidays
In Just such craft as he now possess.
ed.
Tho Nancy had consumed 1000 Of
his by no means extensive savings, hut
Joe wns happy. and what 10 money
compared to happiness.
First the launch spurtcd ahead ut
her best speed, then slowed down TO
hardly more than half speed. all the
while her shrill whistle footed mucl,
more frequently than In required by
the laws OF navigation. Joe was play.
Ing with his boat as some men do with,
a line horse. as woman does with her
laughing first born.
In and out among the lnrger river
craft tho Nancy glidcl. Several times
no all but got In the way OF tugs and
ferrybonts. but these experiences only
made his miniature voyage tho more
exciting.
One Of the mancuvcx carried him
close TO tho piers on the New York
sidc OF the river.
Suddenly Joe looked ahead Just In
time to see human figure shoot from
the end OF pier and strike tho water
with splash.
At that moment the Nancy was not
more than twenty yards away.
"A suicidc" hurst from Joe's lips.
Then: But Ill spoil the game"
The launch sped quickly to tho SPOT
then hesitated aud almost stood still
under tho influence Of a sudden 10.
versal Of the engine.
In that pause OF IN instant Joe lean.
cd over the side aud found himself
graSping n young woman.
Tho next moment the Nancy began
to 60 backward through the water, but
Joe had lifted the sylph.lIke form Into
the boat. ana now the young lady lay
between him and the engine.
Her wide open eyes stared at him IN Z
peculiar fashion.
do you do this oftcny" he aucricd
not knowing what else to say.
A sigh was the only answer.
II must scOld her." thought Joe.
10 he began:
"Miss, don't you know that suicide
In one OF tho wickedest things In the
wOrldy"
The expression on her face changed
to one OF relief.
"ies," she answered.
"rhen why did you jump into the
water2"
80 you didn't see me"-she began
but stopped In sudden confusion.
II saw you just as you struck thu
water" he answered.
A sigh-this time ono of unmistaka
bic relief-escaped her.
"Why did YOU try to-" he went on
sternly.
"Don't-don't ask me-" she pleaded
Don't ask you whats"
Don't ask me anything, please!
shall DO greatly obliged to you. II 20,
will humOr me-"
swell, YOU are n queer girl" h,
commented. "YOu reach the poin
where life has no further charms TO
you. and then Immediately begin I,
ask favOrs."
Under prctense OF working at tn,
engine, he managed to turn the littl
lantern SO that 1t shed q fuller ligh
upon her face.
Tue cheeks were pallld-naturally
JOe inwardly commented-but tn
great, tender eyes and inexpressibl!
sweet face did not belong to a woman
who would deliberately end her life.
It was q face with which any maj
not wholly brute would be unable Il
avoid falling In love.
"See here" came suddenly from Joe
''you didn't really mean to jump Int
the water?"
"Oh. but you promised. sir. to al
me no questions"
II didn't promise; It was you VIII
made the request"
II make 1t again." she pleaded
"Suyely you will humor me-"