The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-05-04
!, WHILE WAITING
|, FOR REPAIRS
:. BY WILL BURR
Copyright, 1903, by 7. c. Mcclure
,~o>o>o>o>o>>o~o>o>o>o>oS

resort lying next a most pleasurable
stretch of lake, was operated solely
by its owner. Old Abe, MS he WAS
called. The service had come to be
of such an unstable character that the
villagers had lost all confidence in it
as Il means of transportation.
However, Marian Ardsley WIS not
an inhabitant of the village. and so
she stepped confidently aboard the
boat. assisted by Old Abe. As he
hustled about, he was softly chuckling
and repeating TO himself, Two. two"
The rear third of Abe's stern
wheeler was pilot house and engine
room. the central portion was cabin.
and in front WIS what may be termed
a deck. on this deck was seated the
other of Abes two" passengers
Alonzo Allen, of New York.
Allen didn't know, rs matter OF
fact, where he was going, nor did he
care. He had seen the old man put
tering about the boat, and, on learn
ing that start would soon be made
for somewhere, he had listlessly taken
n seat for the trip.
With Il toot of the squeaky whistle
the boat got under way. Marian. wish
ing to stand In the prov, walked
through the cabin. But nj sight of
her fellow passenger she turned pink
with embarrassment and quickly re-
treated and sat down on the long,
carpet covered seat that was built
through the middle of the cabin.
Under the guidance of the jubilant
old man, the boat advanced in II very
satisfactory manner at least TO him
until about huff why across the lake.
Here the paddle wheel refused to con.
tinue revolving, and, after some
minutes of drifting, the boat was still.
At this point thunder shower,
which had for time back been stead
lily approaching, broke over the lake.
Allen. not desiring drenching. rose
to his feet and went into the cabin.
In the darkeniug interior he saw no
one, and sat down on the middle of
the seat with n sigh. putting his elbows
on his knees and face In hands
Marian WAS sitting but m arms
length from him. After an awkward
pause spent in cogitation she coughed
lightly. Allen started to his feet d-
rectly, aud. with bow. said:
Il do beg your pardon. madam /"
And then IL Hush lighted the cabin for
an instant and he plainly saw his com
puniOns face.
Il thought | wns alone" he added
simply, and awkwardly backing 10 the
farther end of the seat he sat down
There WIS some reason for these
seemingly strange actions. 1t was but
the previous evening that they had
quarreed. and ut the end he had
fiercely taken back the ring she prof
fered, and they had parted forever.
At length. why are we stopping
here" asked Marian of the boatmau
who sat nj his post in perfect tran
quillity.
Jest screw loose. miss" the old
man replied Il figgcr | know where
It's now, and We'll be goin' again in
jffy.'
And with that Old Abe, tools in
hand, climbed around to the all i'm.
portnnt paddle wheel After an eX-
aspcrating wait of perhaps twenty
minutes, Marian peered ont from the
door, and. seeing no one, called. Mr..
Ferry man" She was now heartily
wishing she had stayed at the house
I'm awful sorry miss" answered
the old man rather dolefully. but
I'm afraid it'll take teenty bit longer.
You see. it's worse'n | thought"
"Do you have to stop like this
often" asked Marian.
well sometimes. But now last
week she didn't break down. Monday
nor Wednesday. all the hull way over"
And saying this. Old Abe rose to his
full height, grinnng with pride.
well, | suppose II can't be helped,
then" submitted Marian, but she ap-
peared so very much annoyed that
Abe ut once leaned down and con
tinued his work with II great show OF
hustle.
The rain was not yet over, and Allen
was busily engaged staring very hard
at nothing whatever Marian looked
ut her watch. II was past lunch time,
and. MS she had felt too miserable TO
eat much breakfast, she commenced to
feel hungry. \ sudden thought bright
ened her countenance she bud with
of Nt+iff q. I,H
purchased for her. sisters children
She could get them another box She
looked at her watch again Only n
few minutes more had passed. but her
hunger had now become unbcarable
She loosed the string from the box
opened the paper removed the cover
and ate a chocolate.
After she had eaten several of the
candles she glanced over at Allen
Fastened to the wall of the cabin o,
posite him was an old landscape in =,
dingy frame, and he was gazing at
this with the concentration of a stole.
"A landscape" mentally exclaimed |
as she recalled his dislike of |
How he must hate me"
"when he'd rather look Mt that than at
me. / wonder what had | ought to |
do? II he and | were utter strangers
lost on desert isle. and lie had n |
dozen kernels Of corn | should think |
him cad II he didn't offer me half |
think l ought TO offer him some OF
these candies even II we're not or |
speaking terms"
Then. sitting back with eyes straight |
ahead. Marian pushed the candy box
along the seat. Allen paid no attention. |
Wont you have chocolateY Ma
rian asked at length, hesitatingly.
Allen made no answer.
"Will you"-and Marian stamped her |
little foot say, will you have cboc-
oiate?" she continued impatiently.
mo, thank you" he replied, and re-
sumed his contemplation of the land
seape.
A long pause ensued. The box re-
manned half way between them.
Il think you're very-ungenteman