The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-07-14
nUr oFrHE RACE

| VI course 1T was hot race, for the
foweiis were summering on the pic
| turesque edge al lake. A race meant
bright day and smooth waters and a
score of excited girls and boys. all eager
for the fun: and docks gay with flags
| ana bunting, and the slender rowboats
manned by singles or doubles as
the race called for. Mia PowelIs boat
| was conspicuous among them all. prin-
! cipally because Nitas had been the
| champion record of the season. Il was
| called The Brownie because OF its
color, and the girl loved it as anyone
else might love a dog or cat.
She sat in it now. as it lay rocking
at its noorings. and looked at her mother
| with an anxious face
| DO you think she'll Gomez she asked
| ''Of course. dear; Adelaide is tired of
the seashore, and when Adelaide is tired
| there is no delay"
Which means that she'll come in time
to enter for the race and I will have TO
| lend The Brownie. because she's COM
| pany. That will leave me out entirely;
it's too bad! Adelaide is always such
an uncomfortable person"
| Perhaps the train may, be delayed,
said Lester. hopefully. He was rocking
in the boat beside his sister.
NO such luckr groaned Mia Look
! through the trees, there she comesi Oh.
| NANNY, UcI IldAe me give UP
boat; l do wont this race so badly
! and Nita ciasped her hands
| We'll trust TO Adelaide's generosity"
| and Mrs Powell turned TO welcome the
pretty girl in boating fannels, who
came running across the lawn, both
| hands outstretched
| so glad to see you. Auntiei / heard
of the race on the way from the station,
| o I got ready the minute l reached the
! 7 do I'm I hear IFS
ladies' single Jump out. Nita, you
fairy. and let your big cousin bring
| The Brownie TO glory
81 am entered for that race said
| Nita. doggedly.
'Oh. that's all right. so long as The
Brownie wins I'll pull her through. have
no fear Hurry up. dear; 1 see the sig
nal boat making its way to the judges
| stand
But, Adelaide interposed Mrs. Pow
| ell.
| "Oh, I know, auntie, I'm not bit
| overheated I'll be careful of catching
cold. Now. then. youngster, and taking
Nita's hand in her own firm grip. she
| pulled her in a playful fashion out or
the boat. while she herself stepped hgntly
! In and seized the oars.
| I'm going over to headquarters 10
enter nv name among the contestants.
she said, unfastening the painter
| Thanks. Mia, for the boat. I'm so
| glad got her. in time" And she pulled
| away with long. beautiful strokes. leav-
ing poor Mia half crying on the DOCK
Lester turned away with sympathy too
deep for words He hated to see his little
sister imposed upon. Mrs. Powell bent
over her fancy work. Nita was a great
| pet and her sorrows were family az
4 fairs.
1 Nita stood in silence for a moment
fighting her tears. then she turned ap-
4 ruptly from the dock and made straight
4 for the woods, where she could nsnt IL
i out alone on a favorite grass-grown
1 rock she knew of Here she threw her
self. and buried her face in her hands, not
/ needing the swish of oars in the water
below.
Steps behind her made her raise her
4 tear-stained face to encounter the glance
| of a shy, awkward boy, who stood look
ing at her in amazement. This boy was
/ lin Evans. who was called by the young
| neople the deaf and dumb boy from
the fact that he had never been known
| 10 make a remark. and never seemed 10
heed what was going on about NM
| Even friendly Nita had failed to dras
from him more than a monosyllable AT
| a time Now she sat and stared at hlm'
and for once her tongue was tied
| "Hellor' said Jim. Whats the mat
ter2 Did YOU walk here? Where's your
boat?' He fired the questions as If they
were gun-shot but the mention or her
boat sent poor Nita off again.
..The Brownies g-gone" she sobbed
Broke loose? Whereabouts? It's time
YOU were at the starting point
| OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES race. Adelaide
come-she' s-she's-my cousin, and-aho
-" Nita could go no further.
"Oh. say" Jim suddenly grasped
| the situation Then he looked at his
| watch. you've ten minutes to steady
| Yourself" he remarked. Your nose Is
red
1T don't matter out here on the rocks.
But you're not going to stay here;
you're going to show grit. though you
can't do it with red nose.
And no boat
There's mine" said Jim Evans.
Nita Jumped. II there was a boat better
than the Brownie II was inns swan.
She clasped her hands, but looked at
him in doubt
Jim nodded and pointed to where the
pretty thing lay hugging the shore.
Il wouldn't trust her to everyone" he
said but I won't see you done out Of
this race. Perhaps the water will help
It" he added, pointing to the offending
nose.
Mia laughed as she ran down to the
shore There she made a sponge of her
handkerchief and dabbed and eabbed IN
I'll Jim announced that the nose had
faded to the palest pink.
Now" he said step in and pull off
I'll bet on the Swan against dozen
Brownies" and. not waiting to be thank
ed he strobe away into the woods.
They were lining UP for the start just
as Nita came in sight. flushed and hap
by. A moment after she had taken her
place the word was given and the boats
darted out like slender. Swimming birds
The lake was smooth and clear; there
was not even a wind TO pull against
and the swan soon outstripped even the
feet Brownie. Adelaide looked hot and
angry as Mia passed her on the home
streach.
Il thought you were out Of the race.
she called.
II thought 50. too Nita called back. as
the Swan shot ahead.-Cincinnati Inquirer
She Did Her Part.
From the Philadelphia Pressl
Tess-He tried To kiss me. and he de-
| clared the more struggled and screamed
the more he'd kiss me. Hes TO gentle
man