The Saint Paul globe., 1901-07-20
talking nOnsense.

We'll, you stop talking nonsense.
1T isn't nonsense"
'It is"
I'm serious"
THAT settles it, Her arms came down.
from the canoe. I'm going to try for
the shore"
He tried waddling along the side of the
canoe to get at her arm and detain
her. The shell trembled along it's en-
tire length and sank far down under
mis- weight. She laughed derisively and
he grew pale.
Very funny. isn't h?' he asked
Decidedly Do you think if you sink
it Wen be any b-tter OFF,
AS she had ceased to make demon
strations shoreward he felt that his pur-
pose was accomplished, and so sad
nothing A moment later he made an
other mistake.
ITS getting along" he sad. Some
body will be out fishing soon and pick
us up"
1t was her turn to look scared.
What would they think f they found
US like this" she ventured. II won't
permit it.
But everybody around here knows
we're lust friends he said You know
you've talked Plato till"
Don't be silly. 1t wasn't that I fG~- ed.
I don't care what they think that
subject. But l don't propose to have them
think I went out with a stupid man who
couldn't paddle a boat without upsetting
it,"
mot to speak of a girl VINO didn't know
enough to keep still"
For answer she gave a kick that sent
the spray into his eyes. Then she Shrek
ed with laughter. His arms We're begin
ming to get very tired, and it suddenly
occurred to him she also might be IA
tigued.
IF you keep quiet a moment" ne said.
''Ill swim around to you and hold you
up. That will rest you"
'Pshaw Rest yourself. I'm all right"
He paid no attention to the injunction.
and a few strokes brought him to her
side. The tide was running strong. and
they were drifting further and further
from the shore.
Just place one hand on me, If you
dare" she shouted, "and I'll let go the
canoe. Then see how quickly I'll be out
of sight" The threat was effective. 1t
was such a pretty new canoe, and he had
no desire to lose it. So commenting on
her stubbornness he waddled back and
took hold of his end again.
Then q sound of oars was heard. and
soon two men in boat were within a
few yards of them. They had seen the
canoe-wrecked pair, and were bearing
down rapidly upon them.
Say, there" was Bob's inquiry, what
are you two trying to do?"
Hold on little longer" came back the
answer; ''we'n have you safe in a
minute"
We're all right; don't trouble" said
the girl.
Keep off" shouted Bob. "If you come
any closer you'll scratch the paint on my
canoe.
The rowers lay back on their oars.
What do you mean?" inquired one
DO you mean to say that you care more
for the canoe than for-for-" he hesi-
tated.
For me-" she shouted. .'Yes, that's It,
For woman's only a woman and a good
canoes a boat!'
After some parleying the boatmen con-
sented to be careful. With their assist
ance the canoe was righted and the
friends made their way shoreward.
But the gossips in the small Hudson
river town have had food for much re-
fectlon, and the oldest dame Of them all
admits that even she don't understand
it.
why, Jim tells me-" she said, that
when they got ashore she didn't show the
least concern for the man. Now, the least
you would have expected would have been
that shed throw her arms about him and
say that she would never leave him"
"And didn't she?'
No, She just kicked up pebble, wrung
the water out Of her skirt and laughed
fit to kill. Then she said. kind Of short.
Thanks and went into the house"
And did the man seem cut up?"
No he just looked at his old canoe
sharplike and cussed. I'll have to blow
in ten to get it In shape again. ne
said"