The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-03
The Globes Daily Short Story

to wriggle about more than he could help
II amt going to be a swift trip she
SAID, sending the boat away from the
pier with long smooth strokes We've
got about everything there is against us.
wind, tide, drift wood and fog, to say
nothing Of the chances of being run
dcWn IN the fog by the mail boat. She s
que about now Maybe Providence will
see us through, though. I suppose if
the worst comes to the worst you know
how to sWim?
Yes, I can swim if needs must, but
on, I'm taking care of myself right
now, she answered, with an odd laugh
Don't you bother about me-
81 Sne e. ToWed on in silence, now turning
her 1.-the body to watch the approach of
some particularly threatening drift log;
now to fix her gaze steadily en- the illum-
mated face of the town clock
The town clock and the jumbo lantern
were about equidlstant from the boat
when she developed a sudden turn for
conversation. "sposen you find You are
too late to stop that foolishness of your
brothers, would you be terribly cut up?"
Terribly"
Are you the unforg:ving sort? Would
it go very hard with-him-to have row
with you?, spose the girl don't count
with YOU
1.-THE girl does count. I'm not quite the
brute I've shown myself to you. I pre-
sumo II the thing comes off, in spite of
me- I'll have to make the best Of a bad
bargain, but it need not come off if you
will row instead of talking Remember,
$40 if you get me there in time to stop it. :
did he ever MAKE love to the other
girl? You see this is the first love story
l ever got mixed up in.
There was, a note of exhausted pa
thence in the mans answer. Il must say
Miss Chaffee you are remarkably inquisi-
tive even for woman. No, | can't say
that he ever did, but it would all have
come right but for this mess"
Ten minutes more of hard rowing and
Rella's small craft lay rocking alongside
the pier on the Brownville side The man
jumped ashore eagerly and began to fum,
BILE in his pocket. You are trump and
have earned your money.
Bella laughed up at him gaily. Never
mind about the money. / guess you are
in a hurry to stop that wedding and as
ing back that way. I wouldn't keep you
waiting for the small matter OF $40; pet
ter hurry up the hill.
"Thank you; you are very considerate,
and / shall certainly bring you the mon
ey in the morning
He walked rapidly up the sloplng nank,
and was soon lost to sight.
From the shelter of a cotton shed two
places in Bella's boat One of the men
Possessed himself of the oars and Qu1-
city directed Bella to seat herself IN
the bow.
pretty well done. little girl. Bob's an
ugly customer to row with, and now,
Brother Maxwell there will make row
futile before we meet"
81 could wish a less precarious way OF
getting married my children, but Cupid
has his own way of doing things.
"Even to using the telephone said
the strong, fresh young oarsman, send
ing a ringing laugh across The turbulent
waters.
The clock in old Chaffee's sitting room
was just striking eight as the Rev: Max
well uttered the solemn words L pro-
nounce YOU man and wife
'The devil you do came in an angry
voice from a man just stepping into the
light of the jumbo lantern. How did
you get over here?'' he asked, striding
angrily up to his brother.
Tan Beilinger laughed and took his
pl city wife by the hand, 81 came over
by return boat. Now Bobo, do you call
III The senior did the only graceful
thing left fer him to do. He smiled
demureIy down upon the girl who had
SO cleverlv "done him. Mrs. Bellinger,
I believe owe you $49."
Bella answered with ready wit and
lovely bushes: mo, sir; that was only
If / get you there in time to stop. this
foolishness. I failed in my part Of the
contract. Yours, was to make the best
OF bad bargain"