The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-01-04

1
love OF lady-Dick Maynard awoke
and rubbed his eyes. The girl was
standing at the far end of the punt
with feet firmly planted, tense in
every limb, and beautifully balanc-
ing the heavy rod. She had not
called out for assistance, or begun
shaking, as some women do in their
excitement. He could imagine ner
lips quite firm and curved, and it
piqued him that he could only see
her back, and the back, curled clouds
or her hair.
"Can 1 help?" he said half unwlll-
ingly.
She answered without turning her
head.
Have you got the landing nety'
eyes"
He went forward. and she held up
the pike nearer the side. She was a
little breathless. but talked without
allowing her attention to be distract
cd from the business on hand.
You owe me a pair of gloves. Mr.
Maynard. Fast asleep-aren't you
ashamed-only an hour after break
| fast?''
WAS really asleep:"
Were your"
The pike was head up, trying to
furrow the tops of the water with
his narrow tail. Maynard made an
! effectual dive with the net, the fish
shooting away to the right.
"Ahem! Good morning, Miss JOAN"
They had both been so wrapped up
in their fishing that they had entirely
failed to notice the approach Of Cap
tain Suttlebury in the second punt,
and at the very moment that he sent
the nose Of his punt into theirs May
nard had the tail OF the fish in the
net.
"Well:" said Joan coldly.
Maynard had relieved her Of the
rod and was Keeling up the slack of
the line.
"Well:" repeated Joan. tapping her
foot.
"Er-I supposed I'd find you on the
lake." said Captain Suttlebury.
you We're looking for me?"
"Of course; it was just as well
found YOU
Perhaps" said Joan. sit made me
lose a rather large pike"
Captain Suttlebury was dimly con-
scious from her point that he was
expected to apologize. But that was
not his wagon the contrary, he felt
that he had right to demand an
apology.
Il do not imagine" he said in his
pompous manner, ''that your mother
would approve Of this sort Of thing"
What sort of thing%"
Fishing with one of the So
He had meant to say servants. but
caught Maynard's eye.
Perhaps" she said meekly, 'tyou
are right. You are so often right.
Captain Suttlebury. aren't you? And
in any case / ought to consider 1t
luck in way that you came, oughtn't
II because my canoe has drifted of,
and Mr.. Maynard mas lost his pole.
and we might have been left here In
the middle of the lake for hours"
Maynard froze up. Nothing would
have been more lucky, to his way of
thinking. than the contingency men
toned, but he imagined Joan was
making her submission. SO did Cap
tain Suttlebuf5. and he assumed a |
conquering pose.
Lost his pole, has he?" he INQUIRED, |
loftily.
"Yes." said Joan. ''It is stuck In the |
reeds. You can almost see it from
here"
Then, Mr.. s-his-name," said
the Captain, turning towards Mayn-
ard. you can take my punt and fetch |
this pole back here. After that you
can so. Miss Eye and I shan't need
you. dye. see?"
He held out the pole belonging to
his own punt as he spoke, and for a
moment his fate hung in the balance.
Then Maynard puts his hands in his
pockets and turEed to joan
cam I to understand that is what
you wish?" he asked. stiGy.
please do" she said.
Because she wished 1t, he stepped
across on the other punt, disregard
ing even the supercilious smile with
which captain Suttlebury handed him
the pole. Then, without a word, he
pushed off. AS the gap between the
two punts widened to yard, before
either Of the two were aware of 1t,
Joan had taken a running leap from
Dne to the other. She was beside
Maynard now. and the gap I'd grown
I gulf of a dozen yards, and the Cap
tain's smile turned to a stare of dis
may.
What the-what are you doing?"
ne suffered angrily.
Joan settled herself composedly
Town among the cushions.
Narrowing yon,v she said.
"Maroo-maroo-what do you
nean?"
For bad manners on the high
;eas," Joan explained affably 81 am
the. pirate queen of the lake this
and any one displeasing me
las to suffer. Your punishment is
o swim ashore or else wait until
calls for you. The pole is
II the reeds. remember. In case you
want it. and don't forget lunch is at
wo. Gocd-by. Captain Suttlebury.m
She waved her hand at him mis-.
and beekoned Maynard to
lole on.
You are sure you wish it?' he
sked, anxiously. Il don't think he's
he sort Of man to forgive it,
"That is what / hope" she sAd.
md Mt that he had no more scruples.
rAs fast rs you can. please" sad