The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-05-18
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An Artistic Ending.
BY c. II. COLNfLLE.
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hands as she looked upat me, standing
by the edge of the river.
"Now, Mr.. Conway" she said, "are
you quite sure you can manage a
eanoe?"
"I'll promise you new frock, Miss
Della, If l upset you," said / gallant
ly.
"Don't be rash, "she laughed; "per-
haps I'll think new frock well worth
the wetting"
81 said--if I upset you," replied;
''if you upset yourself l cry off the
bargain.
"Im sure you'll never be so mean
as to argue the cause of the damage"
said Della "anyway, I'll risk it,
81 feel little afraid" she said, as
! gave her my hand to help her
aboard.
1 am inclined to think, however, that
her hesitation was not altogether due
to nervousness, but was little in
fuenced by the fact that she had the
prettiest little feet in the world, and
was wearing the very daintiest of
brown shoes, which showed to the
best advantage rs she stood in timid
uncertainty, one foot on shore and one
poised over the canoe. l confess the
attitude was fascinating to me, more
especially as is necessitated very dis
tinct pressure of my steadying hand.
was the more convinced that the
timidity was affected when she even
tually settled herself among the cush-
ions in the bows of the canoe, for all
the world as if to the manner born.
Indeed, as I stepped warily in the
centre of the craft, am sure 1 was
really the more nervous of the two,
but then could Judge of my short
comings as canoeist far better than
She
"Now then," said, "are you quite
sure you are comfortable"
She gave last smooth to the folds
of her brown skirt, gave n little pat
to the sleeves OF her white blouse, and
lay back against the red cushions with
a sigh of content.
"Yes, 'she said sweetly; 'I'm quite
ready"
let go the tuft of grass to which 1
had been clinging, pushed off gently
with my paddle, and we were fairly
afoat.
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
languidly from flower to flower, rs If
they only kept themselves awake by
incessant buzzing.
"Isn't it delightful" murmured
Della.
'It is, indeed" I assented, but
would have done so more truthfully
if the bows of the canoe had not dis
played so great reluctance to keep
straight up the river.
The splash OF the water fro m the pad
die was wonderfully smooth ng, and my
fair companion closed her eyes. Directl,
she did so politeness no longer debar
red me from gazing my fill at her up
turned face.
1 looked admiringly, taking menta
stock of her charms. How softly he
dark eyelashes swept her cheek--hoy
coquettishly curved her mouth -hov
dainty the suspicion of dimple eithe
side her lips-how delicately turne,
her chin-how becoming the red cush
ion to her wealth of black hair-yes
undoubtedly her nose was retrousse
but a fig for your stately Greek beau
ties there is fascination in the
crash into the bank went the bow c
the canoe, and the subject of my re
verie opened her eyes with start.
For the life of me cannot steer
canoe and think of something else q
the same time. By the greatest goo
luck we were not upset.
81 am most awfully sorry" l stan
mered.
81 was nearly asleep" she said.
81 can't think what happened;
was dreadfully careless of me-"
'Oh, it really doesn't matter" sl
replied with great good nature.
, padded clear of the bank an
vowed such collision should II,
occur again. Della, however, mad
| no further attempt TO go to sleep.
"'How smoothly the river runs,
she said thoughtfully.
"Unlike the course Of true love-"
added rather weakly.
a 1t was not very opposite remarl
1 but then ! knew the topic of love w
! a dangerous one for me, and so, foe
hardy, / courted it, as the moth II
candle.
. There was q pause in the convers
: tion. while I successfully negotiated
sudden bend in the river.
''It's great pity, isn't it" sa
, Della.
4 ''What is?" ! inquired.
. "Why, that the course OF true 10
never runs smooth"
!, ''Oh, but it does sometimes, really
= asserted.
: II suppose the love isn't really tru
b then" said she. Nowadays, boo
= and plays nearly always end u
i happily"
: "Oh. WELL" said !, philosophical
''thers are two sorts Of love there
? passionate love. full Of presentimel