Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-19
TWO IN A PUNT.


In due time arrived at the little cot
tage by the river. Jane was in a
hammock slung between two pear
trees at the end of the lawn. Above
the waist line, so to speak, her co s.
tune was frilly and stripy, below X
was plain and stripy, the whole OF d
kind of biscuit color. Further items
were large, fiOppy sort OF straw hat
and brown shoes, enc of which dan.
gled Imply underneath her skirt.
She loked charming and it seemed
almost criminal not to kiss her.
| told her so, laying special stres !;
On my relationship, and giving infor
mation-for which l fear, there was
rather insecure ground-as to prevail.
ing customs in the matter of cousinly
salutes.
BY way of reply, Jane slowly as
sumed an erect position in her ham,
mock and gazed at ms with languil
interest-the sort of regard one might
give to an amusing insect.
Don't be silly she sold. Il sent
for you to take me out for an after
noon in the punt.
Now had never manipulated punt
pole in my life, as Jane very well
knew but she uttered this astounding
statement without culver of an eye
lid.
So I was forced to explain.
ooh! I hate men who can't do
things. But never mind, must make
the best Of bad job, and give you a
| lesson"
Upon my word. Jane sometimes
makes me wish I was not a cousin
She doesn't call the numerous other
young men of her acquaintance bad
jobs" Still, on the other hand, they
would not have the privilege of a les
son from her; so, perhaps, the balance
| works out on my side.
| I did not say all this to Jane, Of
course. 1t seemed safer to confine
myself to an expression of regret for
my lack of efficiency.
ut is so stupid not to know how to
punt or play bridge, and all that"
Jane went on. "A nice young man
ought to be able to do all the things
! that don't matter" she explained cryp.
tically. Every one can do the things
that do matter, and, after all, it is the
things that don't matter that really
matter most, isn't it,"
| I hastily asented and renewed my
hat to let what breeze there was play
! en- my heated brow.
Presently we reached the punt and
when l had arranged the cushions
carefully, according to her explicit in
! structions-getting one soaking wet,
with my usual luck-Jane told me to
take my ease thereon while she gave
me an object lesson.
mot that end"
This was after I had. after much
labor. at length disposed myself com.
fortably.
This end, where you can watch
me-
Seldom are James instructions so
agreeable.
| l said as much. and added that
should like to go on watching her for
/ ever.
She tried to look severe, and one
! eyebrow did work itself into a futile
/ imitation Of a frOwn, but the other
! would not do what was. expected Of
it, and there was the least bit of a
crumpling up at the one corner OF hel
lips.
1t was then that l determined that
1t was propitious day to propose to
Jane.
Besides. as I remembered with
hopefulness, it would be the 21st time
and as three is lucky number and
seven is very lucky number, three
dimes seven ought to make a most ey-
traordinarily lucky one.
While | was engaged in these pro-
found reflections Jane had recovered
her complete severity She had poleu
off from the bank, and we were pro-
ceeding leisurely up stream. When
her gaze fell upon me it was OF a
sternness that might make the Sphinx:
seem bubbling over with merry affa-
bility by comparison.
There is no need to look at those
girls" said Jane acidly, after we haa
gone some little distance Watch me,
and notice how 1 am punting"
pulled my head round with a guilty
jerk and put all my soul into tae gaze
directed at Jane.
1t really did look as easy as might
be wished. Jane drew the pole out
of the water, shaking from it shower
of water drops that cleaned like dia-
mondS in the sun: then nuietly
dropped it in again, and with supple
swinging bend urged the punt along.
Jane" said, not without nervous
ness, though by this time proposing is
a familiar enough occupation with me.
Jane, think shall propose to you
again today.
Jane took no notice of my remark.
"Now," said she, come and try to
punt"
81 had much rather you went on.
You look so charmfngly graceful"
spoke with intention, but Jane was not
10 be beguiled.
What you lack in grace will posi-.
bly, lie made up in humor." she re.
marked, handing me the pole.
Now it was a curious thing that J