Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-05-20
AN ARTISTIC ENDING,
TIME sun shone under her hat ana
made her shade her eyes with

made her shade her eyes with
Il her hand, as she looked up at me,
standing by the edge Of the river.
Now, Mr.. Conway she said. ARE
you quite sure you can manage
canoe!"
III promise you new frock. Miss
Della, if upset you said l, CALAMITY.
Don't be RASH" she laughed; per
haps I'll think new frock we'll worth
wetting.'
Il said-if upset you." replied; "if
you upset yourself. cry off the bar
gain"
I'm sure you'll never be so mean as
to argue the cause Of the damage
said Della; anyway, I'll risk it,
Il feel "A little afraid she said, as
gave her my hand to help her aboard.
l am inclined to think, however, that
her hesitation was not altogether due
to nervousness, but was a little intiu-
enced by the fact that she has the pref
| test little feet in the world and was
wearing the very dainliest of brown
shoes, which showed to the best advan-
tage, as she stood in timid uncertainty,
one foot Oh shore and one poised over
the canoe. | confess the attitude was
fascinating to me. more especially as it
necessitated a very distinct pressure Of
my steadying hand.
| | was the more convinced that the
| timdity was affected when she even
tually settled herself among the cush-
ions in the bow of the canoe, for all
the world as If TO the manner born. In
deed, as | stepped warily in the center
OF the craft | am sure was really the
more nervous of the two. but then
could judge Of my shortcomings as a
canOeist far better than She
"Now, then" l said, ARE you quite
sure you are comfortable?"
She gave last smooth to the folds of
her brown skirt, gave a little pat to the
sleeves of her white blouse. and lay
back against the red cushions with a
sigh of content.
"Yes.' said she, sweetly: II am
ready"
| let so the tuft of grass to which
had been clinging, pushed off gently
with my paddle. and we We're fairly
atioat.
The sunshine sparkled on the water,
the leaves of the trees waved ever SO
softly in the breeze, the bright colored
dragon flies darted hither and thither,
while along the bank the bees flew Ian
guidly from flower to flower as il they
only kept themselves awake by inces,
SAINT buzZing.
Isn't it delishtful?" murmured De-
LA.
ut is, indeed" l aSsented. but would
have done so more truthfully if the bow
of the canoe had not displayed so great
a reluctance to keep straight up the
river.
The splash Of the water from the pad
die was wonderfully soothing, and my
fair companion closed her eyes. Direct
ly she did so. politeness no longer de-
barred me from gazing my fill at her
upturned face.
looked admiringly, taking mental
stock of her charms. How softly her
dark eyelashes swept her cheek-how
coquettishly curved her mOuth-how
dainty the suspicion of dimple either
side her lips-how delicately turned her
chin-how becoming the red cushion Ia
her wealth of black hair-yes, undoubt-
edly her nose was retrousse, but a fig
for your stately Greek beauties. there
Is fascination in the-crash into the
bank went the bow Of the canoe and
the subject of my reverie opened he,
eyes with the start.
For the life of me l cannot steer a
canoe and think of something else n,
the same time. BY the greatest good
luck we We're not upset
Il am most awfully sorry" l STAN.
mered.
Il was nearly asleep" she said.
Il cant think what happened; it was
dreadfully careless of me-"
20, it really doesn't matter" she re-
Piled. with great good nature.
padded clear of the bank and VOW
Ell such collision should not occur
again. Della, however. made no fur
Their attempt to go to sleep.
How smoothly the river runs" sh,
said thoughtfully.
unlike the course of true love-
added, rather weakly.
1t was not a very opposite remark
hut then knew the topic of love was a
dangerous one for me. and so, foolhar
dy. courted il, as the moth the candle
There was pause In the converse
ton. While l successfully negotiated :
sudden bend in the river.
Its a great pity, isn't it?" said De
liza.