Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-11-04

AcI hSu. Que Knew IndI she lOF6Q Hlu,
and in some subtle way it was conveyed
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 chap" he said to him.
self, II wish 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; l know it. II l 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 ap-
preached him on the bathing beach.
Don't you want to go for sail?" she
said. "The boat Is at the end of the
wharf now"
funston submitted. In few moments
they were sitting in boat.
Make fast those halliards," ordered
Miss Merlin, as she grasped the tiller.
Nov cast off,
The breeze caught the sail, and they
were away
1t was a strange sensation for Tun.
ston. For the first time in his life he felt
thoroughly cowed.' This frail cookie.
shell that almost with a movement OF
his body he could overturn, was not tc
his liking.
i wouldn't go too far out" he said
NO, I'm not" smiled Miss Merlin as
she eased off the sheet. I'm going tc
run along the shore. Sit more in the
middle. please"
Running before the wind, the boat
righted itself, and they bowled along
merriiy.
How do you like it?'' asked Miss
Merlin. "Tll be the captain and you'll
be the first mate"
Pretty good" said funston "Bui
| suppose I ought to be the captain anc
you the first mate. I don't like to have
anyone else do the work.
In the distance was a steam launch
that had grown nearer and nearer.
Miss Merlin. with her eye upon it, now
suddenly hauled in the main sheet and
brought the boat up into the wind. The
erect 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 chance to move. A
puff came over the water. the boat went
lower and lower and in an instant she
capsized leaving them both fioundering
in the ocean
funston dove, and coming up on the
other side. put one arm around the cap
tain, while with his other he reached
out and grabbed 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 go!'' she cried.
Don't be afraid" he replied.
He kept his arm around her, with the
roar of water in his ears. and, conscious
of his superb strength, he felt a sense
of exultation
Somehow, as he saw her look Into his
eyes. he realized the truth.
Il love you" he said eff we get out
of this all right. will you-will you-?"
Yes" she replied, and chung to him
closer than ever.
And then the steam launch rescued
them.
The, next night they sat together on
the piazza. Her head was on his shout.
der. 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 7
might have gone away without know
ing. I never should have had the cour-
age 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 felt, after all, YOU might
love me. Dearest little one, what 2
lucky accident that was,"
She looked up suddenly
Peter. dear" she replied. will vo,
forgive me-"
Forgive you!" he repeated. 'Fo,
, WHAT"
She smiled
Didn't you know" she said 'tha,
wasn't an accident? capsized the boat
on purpose. Town Topics