Middletown transcript., 1903-05-02
HE beginnings Of this ro-
nance were distinctly conven-
tional.

0OJCS SyhWHeu--bu0uEHt tHe Hun-
lit sea lay at her feet. though
the sea and the dunes with their waving
salt-grass. dearer to. her than any up
lifted mountains or expanse Of green,
stretched their enhancing lines away to
the horizon.
a month ago, with white face upon
scarcely whittier pillow, these things had
seemed Heaven to Joyce. They were
that, but sometimes it was a lonely
Heaven. Just over the dunes nestled q
little hotel; about it dozen cottages.
Their occupants were we'll enough, and
Joyce's sympathies were wide. But they
were not quite Of Joyce's world; her in
terests were not theirs. 70 none of them
could she look for real companionship.
Joyce was bored.
The speck far down the beach upon
which her gaze had been resting, grew
into fgure-an unfamiliar figure her
eyes, unseeing before, now noted. Soon,
swinging along the hard sand at the
waters edge, he passed by. There was
an individual fitness about his clothes
and strength and power about the man.
He struck inland toward the little hotel.
After dinner he was presented. 1t was
perfectly conventional, tiresomely unir-
teresting. lie had found one of q slight
acquaintance with them both. The
world is dismally small, and romance is a
tottering dame, her best days done.
He inquired whether she ever heard
the names of those presented to her; he
admitted that he had not caught hers,
and 90 would have to ask it afresh. His
own-his rugged features smiled-he was
sure she had not grasped; perhaps when
she heard it she would be quite willing
to unknow both it and him; it was Hod-
caster-John Hodcaster, plain and un-
redeemed. Yes, oh, yes, it was good
old name-could one forgive its immor-
tai uQliness-and, forgiving, forget
They chatted comfortably few mo-
ments, and then, as she was joined by
Others, he lit thick Egyptian cigarette
and disappeared over the dunes between
herself and the beach. She saw him no
more that night.
Evidently, to him the sea was YET
sufficient.
The next morning Hodcaster tramped
down the beach after breakfast disposed
of with business-like celebrity. Flanneis
had been discarded for white ducks and
cigarettes for very stubby bulldog pipe.
About noon he came back by way OF the
bay-in a twenty-foot catboat, rented 20
him by the week at the larger resort q
few miles below.
In the afternoon began his real ac-
ouaintance with Joyce Middleton. with
Mrs. Bray-who was "of an age"-ior
chaperon, they tried the sailing qualities
of the "Duck."
He had put his request to the iadies
very nicely, and he added to Joyce, as
the older went for her wrap, zone i'm
aoines sometimes that another will care
for certain things. should fancy you
were fond of dancing-and boat.
Why? asked Joyce, surprised.
NAV tell you, sometime, he laughed.
/ cannot ask you for the one-now; the
pavilion doesn't appear to have been
thought of by the proprietors here. But
I am. glad you will try the other with
me. Was right?
As to my liking? Yes, both, she an
swered simply. Think they go together.
lam fond of any kind Of motion.
Which was why, he said, quizzlcally'
as Mrs. Bray rejoined them.
feel fiattered, Hodcaster observed, as
he tied the triple-reef knots, that neither
of Won has asked me if it is safe, and it Ii
pretty stiff sea for sailing, too. :
One imagines sometimes that another
can do certain things, Joyce laughed
back.
His eyes sparkled as he Joined in hel
merriment at the quick turning OF hi
own phrase. He grasped the tiller, ant
the aDuckn heeled down as the wint
took her sail.
Joyce perched happily on the portable
seat she fitted over the rail to windward
and looked down at Mrs. Bray on tn
cushions. The wind was whistling
small gale, and the "Duck" raced along
her lee beam half under water.
Seven miles across here, said Hodcas
ter. Except for the shortness OF tn
waves it's as good as outside on mos
DAYS. We head across in moment; the
we'll get some spray. Hold up thos
oiiskins there or you'll get well sprin
kled. Here we gol The tiller went t
port.
Defiant of spray sat Joyce. A bucket
full came aboard over the cabin roof. ]
took Joyce fairly, above the oilskins, an
she laughed with enjoyment as the sal
water streamed down her face.
Isn't it gloriousl You ought to be u
here, Mrs. Bray, instead of down ther
sheltered by the cabin. You aren't ha
good sailor.
Hodcaster looked up at her. The We
strands of her hair clung to her cheeks
brown but still little thin; her eye
were sparkling; she swayed easily to th
motion of the boat.
Such company as this was worth while
Something broke loose forward.
Look out for the boomi He jamme
the .sDuck" up in the wind. In an il
slant she was beside him, her hand Q
the tiIler. He nodded appreciatively an
sprang forward. The loose halyard wa
soon secured and cleated.
You can handle her, Want to?
She smiled and again laid the boat
her course. Great fun! isn't iR
When she was tired-for she was ne
vet strong he took the duck" IN han
aoain. and 50 over the wide rush OF watt
they sped across, and back to the MT
landing.
llx~x-x, o,,d hper,rin K led an