The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-10-16
CUPID AT THE HELM.
Copyright. 1903. by W. H. Hearst.o

ALL E-
The season was drawing to a close at the
popular seaside watering place, and the
contest Of the year for small sailing boats
was to be sailed hat day. The test was
not only to decide the speed of the boata
but to prove the skill OF the sailors as
well, and interest was greatly increased
by the fact that one of the contestants
Was a woman
A crowd OF fashionable young men n
women thronged the pier, chatting gayly
among themselves and calling challenges
and good wishes to the owners OF the
pretty craft.
Marion Dare had been the belle Of the
season. Her bright, happy nature and
dauntless spirit had won the devotion OF
,all who knew her; her slightest wish was
anticipated by her many admirers, and
she ruled her little court by the magic OF
her laughing eyes.
She had accepted the wager that "a
woman's greatest possible skill could not
stand the test OF mans superior strength
and muscle" and had avowed her deter
mination to win the trophy from any man
who wished to compete for 1t.
Startled by the tamlnar voice, she looked
up quickly from the coil OF rope she was
untangling, surprised to find the speaker
SO near.
IT am quite resolved, Tom, SO please say
no more about 1t. I shall prove to you
that the new woman is not to be de-
splsed as a rival"
The man flushed at the thrust. He hated
himself for his we'll known opinion OF the
up-to-date girl.
A summer spent almost entirely in the
society Of a charming example Of that
type Of young wolnanhood had altered his
views very materially, and he had discov-
cred many proofs of tender, womanly
sweetness beneath the good-fellowship OF
this athletic girls manner.
There was a note Of tenderness in the
earnest voice which a less determined
listener would AVE found hard to resist.
But, Marion, it is dangerous, foolhardy,
for a woman to go out in a boat alone;
you yourself car see a storm Is threaten
ing. Will nothing I can say induce you to
remain on shore?"
She smiled brightly at his troubled face.
How dare you question my skill, sir7
You who taught me all know. I chal-
lenge you to combat The race lies be-
tween our boats, and I warn you T shall
lose no trick to win"
She waved her hand to him as the wind
filed her sail and the little craft glded
out into the bay.
With a gesture Of Impotence the skipper
Of the Lurline followed quickly in the
wake of his pretty antagonist, and at q
signal from the judges' boat HI race
started, amid loud cheers from friends on
shore.
Marion showed her superior s~earnanship
by crossing the line first by a clever ma
neuver. Other boats followed in close
pursuit, their sails outspread like wings
Of White doves. There was a piping
breeze from the northwest. and the boats
flashed merrily through the waves, leav-
ing pillows of white foam behind them.
The young skipper of the Eurline soon
outsa.led the other craft, and came with
I 49, h@ot
He called gayly across the water,
It be gloves against a new p~ennant7"
The wind was steadily increasing, and
now a squall struck the boats and laid
them so low that their keels showed to
windward- When they righted Marion
screamed back, Twelve buttons, II ]
win!"
The pther boats were far behind and
the race lay between these two. Marion
stood bravely to her helm, never giving
way an inch in her course, even though
the squalls threatened to wreck her little
craft. Thu Lurline was steadily gaining
on her lead and the thought Of defeat
put her on her mettle.
About half the course was covered now
and a cheer went up from the shore al
the Lurline came abreast the rival Graf
to windward. The boats tore madlJ
through the water side by side; thse x'
element was at its height and eaoI
poAAS1 "0SSAS0 SoSSA4S SoAAS ROAAS ~
advantage.
Suddenly a great puff Of wind swep,
over the bay and struck the matnsan o.
the Lur1ine squarely, tearing it into RIB
bons. AS the boom swept around 1t hi
the skipper in the back and knocked hin
into the sea-
Obliged to exert every effort to keel
her boat in Its course; Marion was OBJ
livious to all else until startled by tht
Mortified cries Of the watchers on land
Looking back to ascertain the cause. sh'
was shocked to discover the poor Lurlin'
drifting helplessly out to sea. without {
skipper.
. She brought her boat quickly about
gazing eagerly across the waves for som,
sign Of the shipwrecked man. Finally
with a little moan of Joy. she stored to
wards a black speck on the surface Of tn
water.
, It was the work Of an instant to brin,
her boat alongside the drowning man, blu
the girl who held the tiller endured tn
agony Of hours in that short race witt
!. death.
: Wild shouts OF joy greeted the pair a
the young girl assisted her dripping com
panton over the side of the boat. shak
ing the water from his eyes, the rescuet
, , man turned eagerly to his pretty op
: ponent.
!, II tell you Marion. II you had been les
prompt to act you would nave had n,
!, ElVdA 6dlOT III tueSo waters r4 .E
= Thu woman asserted herself over III
skipper, and now that the danger wa
= past Marion burst into tears. Two drip
ping arms went around her, and she rest
~ ed her head on a very broad but dam
y shoulder.
= Poor little girl; the strain has been to,
much!"
Marion cried softly to herself. and mad
8 no effort to leave the moist embrace. TIL
y guiding hand- on the tiller; almost relaxe.
Its hold and the boat was kept to its ow,
3 course. while Cupid took the helm. A
last the sobbing ceased, and from some
where in the vicinity Of the lapel Of hi
coat a saucy voice murmured:
You were saved by a new woman,
Tom"
She lifted her head-her glorious eye
shining with happiness. But I love 70,
in the old fashioned way, dear" she whia
sered.
A REGENERATED CITY.