The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-20

IN 1&NN ~ II w - - OO4N LA
thankful for" the boatman persisted.
trying TO draw forth a confession.
He, with the rest of the world. loved a
lover.
Wen always be thankful TO you
for taking us over" said Tom, heart
lily. He was beginning TO feel a spark
of enthusiasm. Its jolly good OF
you. Do it often?"
'As many times as I could count.
Why, Just the other night l took a
young couple over and l no sooner'n
got back than the girls pa was here
at the dock waitin' fer me. But by
that time they was married.
Married." Evans laughed, though
for the life of him he did not know
why. And fooled the stern parent"
How romantic!" cried Helen.
And did you take him over, too?"
Not much. Would you want me
to take your pa over if / should find
him lookin' for you when get back?"
he asked, his weather-beaten, good
natured face Wreathed in smiles as
over his shoulder, he watched the
color mount the girls cheeks and lose
itself among the brown curls on her
forehead. You're a mighty lucky
young fellow" he said to Tom;
mighty lucky"
Slowly the situation-the mans
mistake-was dawning upon them
both. 1t was natural mistake, after
all. Unconsciously, Tom moved closer
TO the girl. He was sorry the river
man was laboring under a delusion.
snail l set him right?" he asked.
seeing her embarrassment. ut seems
a pity"
Helen raised her eyes to his. mo.
never mind,' she said, very SOFTLY.
it would be pity. Hes-he's so
pleased
For a few minutes no one smoke.
but the three watched the little boat
ride the waves and splash about mer-
rily, as If it, too, were pleased and
lhankful TO be alive. Then a sue
cesslon or tugs and ferry boats block
ed the way, and Tom realized that
they would miss the train-and the
Football game, but, strangely, he felt
none OF the disappointment which
lad swept over him when the ferry
BOAT had left them standing on the
pier few minutes before. Wonder
tul possibilities had presented them
selves to his mental vision. Perhans
why not?
Ihese couples these eloning
couples, he began, did they get
i40u over mere He knew it was
my prlllant question, and that any
man with high order of intelligence
would nave left it unsaid, but he must
start the conversational ball rolling
ana bring himself down from the
ulzzy nights to which his inaeina-
non had carried him.
-, fes' Stree, and right quick. too.
me parson, he lives lust three bloclSs
ana half-a queer little half-to
your right, and one and a half north
aIter that, explained the captain.
with an air of imparting Invaluable
iir .9 natlon. He's accommodating
ana he's well used to such calls"
Do-are the girls all dressed mp"
asked Helen. not knowing why She
said it. why sne
Begging your pardon, miss ba,t
none OF them ever looked so pretty
as you do at this minute" Ana he
powed respectively. both to Tom and
Helen's color came again. "Wbat-
wnat ume is 1t. Tom?" she asked to
divert the mans attention.
1ney We're nearing the landing
we've missed the special and win
have to wait half an hour for az
other train" Tom explained, ewing
her closely. Did he imagine it' or was
/ sne really pleased? Could II he that
she, too, had been
He banished the thought and called
nlfnsef a conceited, presumptuous
Don't let him know we've missed the
Train. Let him think we--we're elop-
lns, sne whispered, and, had the boat
man been looking that way, he might
nave seen big. firm hand close over
a small, trembling one.
wen. mere we are, all right" he
announced with pride, as he made the
BOAT taut to the pier. Il hope You
find the parson in"
Tom helped the girl out with an air
or possession he had never before as
sumed.
Goodbye and good luck" the
boatman shouted. as Tom handed him
double the fee he had promised, and
this. despite the fact they had missed
the train.
Alone, they looked each other in the
! eye, each trying to read what was up-
permost in the others thoughts. Helen
was nervous. excited. but not dis
pleased. The man was anxious, fear
full lest what he had determined to do.
should go wrong-lest the castle which
he had just erected should tumble
down about his shoulders.
Half an hour to wait, did you say?"
asked Helen.
Yes. only half an hour" A smile
played about Tom Evans clean-cut
mouth. 1t was a brave, determined
smile.
"Only?" gasped the girl.
at is hardly time enough" he ven-
tured.
Tom Evans. you talk in conun-
drums. What-wh-"
But he had silenced her by DELHI
erately taking her hand and leading
her to the right. They walked a