Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-06-25
ooVO~O~0VO~OVV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
: WHILE WAITING
: FOR REPAIRS
: ....By WILL BURR
Copyright, 1908, by T. c. Mcclure

of such an unstable character that the
villagers had lost all confidence in it
as Il means of transportation.
However, Marian Ardsley was not
an inhabitant OF the village, and 50
she stepped confidently aboard the
boat. assisted by Old Abe. AS he
hustled about, he was softly chuckling
and repeating to himself, 1.-Two, two"
The rear third of Abe's stern
wheeler was pilot house and engine
room. the central portion was cabin,
and in front was what may be termed
a deck On this deck was seated the
other of Abc's two" passengers,
Alonzo Allen, of New York.
Allen didn't know, as n 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 Il start would soon be made
for somewhere, he had liStleSSly taken
Il seat for the trip.
With a tOot of the squeaky whistle
/ tllc DOut Sol tlllltl " ds -h'ii W i''iA
ing to stand in the prov, walked
through the cabin. But at 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 Il very
satisfactory munner-at least to him
until about half way 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 Il thunder shower,
which had for time back been stead
lily approaching, broke over the lake.
Allen not desiring Il drenching, rose
to his feet and went into the cabin.
In the darkening interior lie saw no
one, and sat down on the middle Of
the seat with a Sigh, putting his elbows
on his knees and face in hands.
Marian was sitting but an arm $
length from him. After an awkward
| lightly. Allen started to his feet di-
rectly, and, with II bow. said:
Il do beg your pardon. madam; II
And then Il flash lighted the cabin for
an instant, and he plainly saw his COM
panion's face.
Il thought | was alone he added
simply, aud awkwnrdly backing to the
farther end of the seat he sat down.
There was some reason for these
seemingly strange actions. 1t was but
the previous evening that they had
quarreled, and at the end he had
tiercely taken back the ring she prof
fered, and they had parted forever.
At length, "Why are we stopping
here?" asked Marian of the boatman,
who sat at his post in perfect tran
quillity.
Jest q screw loose, miss" the old
man replied Il tigger l know where
tits now, and We'll be goin again i'll
jiffy."
And with that Old Abe, tools In
hand, climbed around to the all i'm
portant paddle wheel. After an eX-
asperating wait of perhaps twenty
minutes, Marian peercd out from the
door, and, seeing no one, called. "Mr
Ferryman" 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 l 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, grinning with pride.
"Well, l suppose it can't be helped,
them" submitted Marian, but she ap-
peared so very much annoyed that
Abe at once leaned down and con-
tinued his work with q great show Of
hustle.
The rain was not yet over, and Allen
was busily engaged staring very hard
at nothing whatever. Marian looked
at her watch. 1t was past lunch time,
and, MS she had felt too miserable to
eat much breakfast, she commenced to
feel hungry. a sudden thought bright
ened her conference.-the had with
her box of candies which she had
purchased for her sisters children.
She could get them another box. She
looked at her watch again. Only u
few minutes more had passed, but her
hunger had now become unbearable.
She loOsed the string from the box,
opened the paper, removed the cover
and ate chocolate.
After she had eaten several of the
candies she glanced over at Allen.
Fastened to the wall of the cabin op-
posite him was an old landscape In n
dingy frame, and he was gazing at
this with the concentration of a stole.
"A landscape! mentally exclaimed
Marian, as she recalled his dislike OF
landscapes. How he must hate me"
she continued, eating another candy,
"when he'd rather look at that than at
me! | wOnder-what had l ought to
do? If he and | were utter strangers,
lost on n desert isle, and he had a
dozen kernels of corn l should think
him a cad If he didn't offer me half.
/ think | ought to offer him some of
these candies, even if we're not on
speaking terms"
| Then, sitting back with eyes straight