The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-11


from the Professors face. and gazing
at the young captain with naive
frankness over his spectacles. a look
Of admiration dawned in his eyes.
"She is certainly fne-looking," he
reflected but most eccentric. She
seems hardly Of the sailor-hsherman
set about here. either. but undoubted-
ly is. Her father is probably captain
OF a small schooner and Is absent at
present, either fishing or carrying a
cargo Of sand No one better born
would stoop to such an occupation,
presume. Still il becomes her well
and they were talking today OF wo-
man pilot at table. Sailor women
seem to be coming into fashion,
and he fell to wondering vaguely II
they@the sailor Women-talked as last
and said as little as the young women
at the hotel. He had no female friends
or even acquaintance. His mother
with whom he lived. had a friend,
young lady, whom she was fond Of IN
vitng to make long visits at their
house and who often came and was
very smiling and agreeable, too, no
doubt. though the Professor never
knew what to say to her, and she did
worsted work. and adored everything.
His mother had her own plans with
regard TO this young lady, and was
always singing her praises in his ear.
Such a fine housekeeper as she would
make, she was so amiable, 50 sensible,
so beautiful. and with snug little
fortune Of her own invested SO pru-
IDENTIFY that 1t was increasing every
day.
The professor listened to II all with
out the slightest suspicion Of the old
lady's designs. but with a sort OF vague
wonder that so many faYors should be
heaped upon one person. He took II
for granted that she was beautiful, but
IN spite Of all this he experienced the
greatest sense OF relief when she final
IL took her departure and the house
hold resumed It's old quiet. This young
lady's manners we're Of the same sort
as those OF the ladies at the hotel, only
perhaps she did not talk quite as much
as they did, but the little captain real-
IL did seem sensible. She quietly at
tended TO her business, made no re-
marks. asked no questions. The Pro-
fessor rather liked his position after
all. and as the boat glided along In the
balmy morning wind, grew almost po-
etical. The breeze had lessened. but
was stll sufficient to warrant good
speed. The shadows were growisg
bluer on the hills, and there seemed 70
be two currents Of air blowing, a warm
one from the land, laden with the
scents OF checkerberry and sweet fern
another cool and fragrant with the
breath Of the sea.
Delicious odors.' said the Profess
sor. dellcately smiling the air.
Exquisite" assented Phebe. rather
absent-mindedly. "Here. Tony, come
and take my place for a moment.
There is no wind. now. and l must
sketch that pinky just coming around
Green Island. have been trying 70
catch a glimpse Of one for long
time"
"Ah." said the Professor, surprised
out Of his usual embarrassment, you
sketch. then?'
"Yes." replied Phebe. simply. y
tried to be a painter. but did not sue
coed"
"But you are very young, still. Why
should you say that you did not sue
ceed? You would hardly be likely q
succeed, at your age. There is time
enough yet"
But there are evidences Of the sa-
cred fire il It is ever going TO burn,
sighed Phebe. with a little wrinkle be-
tween her brows as with a few def
strokes Of her pencil. she secured the
odd looking craft as It slowly drifted
onward. Il am not 50 very young
either. was nineteen last week."
The Professor smiled. He WIS forty
himself. and all his success had been
achieved with a struggle. lie believed
more in work and time and patience
than in the sacred fire.
According to my way Of thinking,
he said. "the sacred fire is only kindled
by long effort and WEAKNESS and pain.
What a picturesque craft this old pinky
Is. Did you ever hear the story OF
Belcher, the great marine artist?"
Phebe never had
"A gentleman Of New York ordered
a marine picture In which there should
be a vessel with a pink stern. Belcher
wondered at his taste. as he had quite
a reputation as a c0nn0isseur. but set
himself at work upon it Immediately,
as 1t was before his fame was well-es-
tabllshed and he could not afford TO
offend so wealthy and influential q
patron. When the picture was finish
ID and sent home to the astonished
gentleman. there appeared before him.
sitting serenely on a cool gray-green
sea. an ordinary New England coast