Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-10-30
The WOOing
Of &c BuSter''
Tale of Maids Way With Man

birds Of feather may flock togeth-
eer, but they co rot always fall IN
love with each other. AS rule, it takes
birds not of feather to Go that. Atany
rate this was the case with Miss Chris
tobel Merlin and Peter funston; ard
yet, so different were they that the whole
affair seemed altogether hopeless up to
the time that Miss Merlin S catboat came
between them. It's strange that any,
thing coming between two people who
love each other should bring them to-
gether, yet this may happen if the wind
be in the right direction.
At Sandheaps, where Miss Merlin's
father had a cottage, and where Miss
Merlin, with her diminutive catboat,
had learned to be one of the best sail
ors among the summer contingent,
there had been lack of visitors owing
, TO bad weather, and the hotel, usually
crowded, looked lonesome up to the
frat of July, when the guests all seemed
to come at once. And among them
came Peter, or, as his class familiarly
called him, Buster"
They met at Saturday evening hop.
He was brought up and introduced by
Christobers cousin. Jack. He bowed
awkwardly.
3 May 1 have this dancer" he NUT
tered.
With pleasure" she replied.
In a moment they were whirling
around the room, or, rather, they were
trying to whirl, for funston, with his
1870 pounds, was not the best dancer in
the world.
After awhile they stopped.
I'm not omuch of a dancer" he OBJ
served. apologetically.
His partner tried to smile.
Never minds" she said; 1--WE will sit
it OUT
They strolled on the piazza. where the
wind from the ocean, cool and refresh
ing, famed their cheeks. The contrast
between them was striking. funston.
heavy, clumsy almost giant, lowered
above his slight. ethereal companion,
whoseodelicate, classical, sensitive face
could express every shade OF meaning.
She looked up at him half shyly, even
in the Semi-darkness. His stature awed
her. She knew instinctively that he was
everything she was not, and the
thought made her love him. AS for Tun-
e ston, he could not have described his
L
with him was an unknown quality. He
only knew that he felt uncomfortable.
I'm a beastly dancer" he half
stammered;a as they sat down. 'I never
o tackle it If can help it, but Jack said
that"
''Said,"z she repeated. that I was
dying to dance, suppose. WE'LL. Jack
doesn't know everything. How do you
like it here?"
Bully beach. Good surf-seems like
a decent sort of place." said funston.
do you sail?"
Not much. play bail good deal In
The spring and fall. water polo in the
winter. and in the summer-well, these
dinky little boats don't appeal to me-
She smiled.
That's what I've got-a dinky little
boat"
. He colored.
"oh-beg your pardon. I didn't know
It,"
ssDon't apologize. It's all right Tear
understand how you feel. But enjoy II
hugely. Papa got me my boat last year
ard go sailing in 1t every day
'Alofle7,'
"Oh, yes That's the fun"
The propriety OF young man go
Ing sailing with young girl alone in I
small boat has often been discussed
and probably never will be determined
It is all right, of course. to take cir
for a long stroll up the beach when thu
elder people are having their Afternoon
nap and where there are plenty of shell
tering rocks. though the prudes sniff
even at this But to go out In boa
alone with a young man, at the mercy o
sea and wind and tide. is quite differ
ent matter.
Miss Merlin's father might have oh
iected to such proceeding. had he no
such confidence IN bis daughters judE