The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-07-07
== NO ==
THOROUGHFARE
BY RUTH EDWARDS
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure

: Copyright, 1903, by T. C. Mcclure )
An>~>><>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>S
"Well, I never.w Gladys sat down on
the bank Of the little stream and gazed
despairingly at the rustic bridge above
her. If that isn't just like him! No
Thoroughfare' and the gate locked and
too high to climb. Now, what on earth
am 1 to do anywayw
The whispering wind and the lap
ping waves gave her no reply, and,
pulling letter out Of the front Of her
blouse, she read It for the third or
fourth time that day. 1t seemed to re-
store her self confidence. She laughed
to herself wickedly. Hum! Mrs. Gra-
ham is a dear, but fancy I've fooled
that conceited Jack Of hers. No, thank
you; no four mile drive with him.
I'm down here, to be sure, but l won't
speak two words to him all the time
I stay If I can help 1t. So! Oh, dear.
/ wish I had boatw
AZ II in answer to her desire a red
canoe shot out from beyond the bend
and came notselessly down the river.
A man sat in the stern welding the
paddle with q swift grace. Gladys
arose among the long grass and the
daisies. Her mind was made up.
II beg pardon" she called as be came
abreast Of her. "Can you tell me If
there is a way Of getting to Mr.. Gra-
hams estate except by this bridge? 1t
seems to be closed"
The man in the canoe rested his pad
die across his knees and gazed at her
admiringiy.
"Why, r. he began, then stopped
There Is an approach by the road" be
said, ''but it is quite two miles to the
other side"
''Oh," she said, II know! But I've
walked 80 far already" She glanced
ruefully down at her dusty patent
leather ties.
"Would you allow meT he asked ca
gerly. Il could take you across In my
canoe.o
She blushed charmingiy. II hate to
trouble you"
Il assure you it would give me the
greatest pleasure, he said, with an
other sdmiring glance.
With q dextrous stroke or two he
brought the graceful little craft up to
the bank and landed. He was tall and
brown and broad shouldered, and as he
stood looking down at her he saw lit
tie slender girl with the longest eye
lashes that ever dropped over pair Of
tray eyes, in dark blue foulard, bare
headed in the golden sunlight, big
black hat heh in one hand. On her
forehead and around her ears danced
little truant wisps Of curly hair.
He helped her into the canoe and
piled the gay cushions at her back.
then stepped in after her.
where are you going7" she asked as
he pointed the canoe up stream. Il un-
derstood you to say you would take me
ACROSS" she added, with some stateli-
neas.
That's such a nasty place to land"
be replied apologetcally. ITS much
better little farther up"
bis dark eyes sought hers, and they
both laughed. It was obvious to the
most casual observer that the sloping
shore on the other side was most ad-
mirably adapted for beaching the ca
noe.
you seem we'll acquainted With the
Itvef," she said demurely. "Do you
know the Grahamsr'
he did not answer Immediately.
Yes; charming woman, Mrs. Ora
ham, he admitted at last.
''Oh, yes; lovely. It's pity her son
doesn't take after her," Gladys replied,
with high scofn.
Her companion grinned. "Its evi-
dent you know him." he said.
well, l haven't seen him in years,
but when I saw him last he was abso-
lutely the most disagreeable, most con-
ceited and altogether most hateful boy
I ever came across" Gladys sat up
quite straight among her cushions with
q sudden energy.
"Poor Jackr' murmured her COM
panion. ''Sdll, If you haven't seen him
for years It isn't impossible that be
hos inonrnvedo
Improved! Well, I'm sure I hope so.
There certainly was room for improve
ment. But don't believe he has. The
idea of shutting people out by locking
up that bridge the way he has! It's
Just like him. So afraid any one
would get into his domains Just as
though any one with sense would want
to-"
Exactly. But possibly he wants to
keep out that class Of people supposed
to be braver than angels, you know"
"Fools?'' she questioned. Then they
both laughed again.
You're not very polite" she said.
"How can you expect me to be sym.
pathetic when the bridge being locked
boe rr;ro,, mo fhic y,loe e1,re9'