Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-22
HOW he Won.

Cd into the air, and the great mass o
canvas ceased 10 shake as the zach
was kept away from the wind. Rouns
her bows the water began to splutteI
end foam, as she heeled over on tn,
starhoaM tack. 1t was . fsultlesi
start.
Half way up the companion ladder
their heads just showing above thu
level Of the deck, stood, or rather
leaned, man and a girl.
care We really OFF," she said.
1--WE are really of. You are no
afraid?'
"lf | was going to be afraid
shouldn't have come, should II" shs
answered.
She peered out beneath the big
boom that swung above her. I'VE are
leading" she said.
His eyes followed hers. "ies," hi
said, shortly.
1--WE shall win"
II am sure Of il"
"You are very confident"
"You are on board, you see"
She seemed to ignore the crmpii'
ment, at least she did not reply to it
For the moment she had fallen back
upon her thoughts.
1t was only a month before that he
had proposed to her between tho
dances, but all the season she had felt
that sooner or later the proposal must
come. Yet when it came she had hes
itated; she believed she loved him, blu;
something held her back from saying
SO. What it was she could hardly tell.
Instinct, the natural shrinking of a
young girl from a plunge into the un'
known--Partly, perhaps. A doubt as
tc whether this man really loved her,
was possessed of possibilities for max.
ing her life happy?-Again, perhaps,
partly. Whatever its component
parts, the feeling was there. So,
shrinking from a direct answer, she
resorted TO compromise. 1t had oc-
Cured to her suddenly that they
would both meet at Cowles, where, in
deed, she had remembered he had told
her his boat was going to race. Come
to me after the race and | will give
you your answer" she said. Theirs
was no practical reason why she
should be better able to answer him
after particular yacht race than at
any other time. But the arrangement
had double advantage. On the one
hand 1t gave her more time to think;
on the other it tied her down to the
date of her answer. When you are
unable to make up your own mind, II
Is well to get some one--or something
elise to make it up for you.
On the morning before the race they
had met on board Mrs. on-Dalrym.
pies schooner.
"You have not forgotten your prom
ise?" he said.
~ have not" she answered. by
the way, will you take me on board
for the racer"
He hesitated "There is bit OF sea
on outside; it will be very wet. A rae
ing yacht is never very comfortable,
you know, and sea"
"But If still want TO go? You
needn't be afraid, | am an excellent
sailor. And | do so long to be in a
race"
"lf you really want to come, Of
course, you shall. My sister, Mrs.
Vincent, will be ON board
So here she was,
When they had fairly cleared the
Wight she found that his forecast of a
"bit of sea- was to be realized. II
was a dead bit to wlndward, and the
water was inches over the lee rail AS
they thrashed through it, while the
spray from the bows, hurried stern
wards by the fast hardening breeze,
stung their faces like a whip. She be-
gan to wonder whether she had, after
III, done well to come. The boat was
heeling over to an extent which to her
inexperienced eye seemed sufficiently
81 think we'll take in a reef, sir"
shouted the skipper, leaning forward
across the wheel.
The owner looked at the face Of the
girl beside him. How do you like
t?" he asked.
1--WE seem awfully on one side" she
"You are not afraid"
A sudden gust heeled the boat over
mother two inches.
"N-no."
He looked at ner face, and It seemed
% him to belle her words. In fash
IN idea struck him. Hold on" he
shouted to the skipper; 1--WE don't
want to reef.
The skipper glanced up at the top
mast. It was bending visibly.
Better, sir" he said; eve shall be
something away"
Nonsense"
His hand felt for that of the girl
reside him. To his delight she did not
EEK to take ID away The wind
between their heads, as If 1t
eemed to enjoy the joke, and the boat
leeled over another half inch.
The skipper surrendered the wheel
o one Of the crew, and came forward
o the companion. "We'd really bet
er reef, sir. Everyone else has got
n one, and the Veda struck her top
all. And we're leading easily. sir;
here's no need to press her So"