The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-28

she had no more power over this great
FELLOW than when he had first come into
her ken She knew that she loved him.
and in some subtle way it was con-
veyed to her that he must love her:
yet all her arts were in vain. They had
walked the beach; they had plunged
into the surf together: they had sat on
the piazza for hours. And after each
one of these tete-a-tetes funston found
himself alone, DISCONNECTED uncertain
Hang it. old chapr' ne had said to
himself. Il wish 1 could keep away
from that girl. I'm gone on her, sure,
and the worst of it is. She doesn't care
hang for me; know it. If I told her
loved her. she'd guy the life out of
me-"
One morning after one of these in
terviews. when the wind blew fresh
from the southwest, Miss Merlin had
approached him on the bathing beach.
Don't you want to go for a sail?"
she said. The boat is at the end of
the wharf now"
funston submitted. In a few tmo-
ments they were sitting in the boat.
Make fast those halliards, ordered
Miss Merlin, as she grasped the tiller
Now cast Off"
The breeze caught the sail, and they
were away
1t was a strange sensation for Tuns-
ton For the first time in his life he
felt thoroughly cowed. This frail
cockleshen, that almost with a move
was not to his liking.
II wouldn't go too far out" he said
mo, I'm not" smiled Miss Merlin,
as she eased off the sheet. I'm going
to run along the shore. Sit more in the
middle, please"
Running before the wind. the boat
righted itself and they bowled along
merrily.
How do you like it?" asked Miss
Merlin I'm be the captain and you'll
be the first mate"
Pretty good" said funston. But
suppose I ought to be the captain and
you the first mate 1 don't like to have
any one else do the work"
In the distance was a steam launch
that had grown nearer and nearer.
Miss Merlin with her eyes upon it,
now suddenly hauled in the main sheet
and brought the boat up into the wind.
The effect was apparent, for the wind,
which had been increasing, was now
quite strong.
And then something happened-so
suddenly, to funston, that it was all
over before he had a chance to move
puff came over the water the boat
slant she capsized, leaving them both
fioundering in the ocean.
funston dove. and, coming up on the
other side. put one arm around the
captain, while with his other he reach
ed out and grapped the centerboard-
In another moment he had worked his
way toward the bow. The steam launch
seemed miles away
Are you all right" he said as they
recovered their breath.
She chung to him desperately.
Don't let me goH' she cried.
Don't be afraid he replied.
He kept his arm around her, with
the roar of water in his ears. and. con-
scious of his superb strength, he felt
a sense of exultation.
Somehow, as he saw her look into
his eyes. he realized the truth.
IT love you" he said. IF we get out
of this all right. will you-will YOU
Yes she replied. and chung to him
And then the steam launch rescued
them.
The next night they sat together on
the piazza Her head was on his
shoulder. Her hand was in his. He
looked off into the dark, distant waters.
I'm glad that thing happened" he
said; Why. if it hadn't happened
might have gone away without know
ling. 1 never should have had the cour-
tage to ask you. because. somehow
while you said nice things to me,
thought you were only playing with
me. 1t was only when I saw that look
in your eyes that 1 felt. after all, you
might love me. Dearest little one, what
a lucky accident that was"'
She looked IN suddenly.
Peter. dear" she replied. will you
! forgive me-"
Forgive you"' he repeated. For
what?-'
/ She smiled
Didn't you know" she said chat
wasn't an accident? l caDsized the
/ Town TOPICS.