Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-19
Y, y. 5l

| Helens cheeks were glowing with excite
ment-
Isn't II fun?" she cried. sitting unconven-
tionally close to Tom. Il could actually
hug him.
Don't" warned her companion; "let him
keep his wits about him long enough to get
us over"
The old man chuckled knowingly to him
self. This was not the first time he had
taken an clipping couple across the river
to evade stern parents. He recognized the
excited, always gloriously, wonderfully
/ happy. and they always sat close together
and whispered. He discreetly kept his back
to them,
Its charming Thanksgiving day." be-
gan Tom, by way of being sociable and
friendly.
Fine" replied the man. still with his
back to them. Happy is the bride the sun
shines on
Helen gasped and stared blankly at the
mans back. What does he mean?" she
asked, an Interrogation in her big blue
eyes.
Evans. puzzled. shook his head. Then,
touching his forhead with his finger, whis-
| pered: wheels"
Have you daughter, or perhaps a
| friend, who Is to be married today?"
queried Helen curiosity getting the better
| of her discretion.
! The man turned around This was the
| first girl he had encountered who did not
| want him to know that she was running
/ away. Usually they were proud of it.
| mo, no." he explained. Il was just
thinkin it's fine day for a weddin'." The
| old man winked at the unfeeling oars as
| he bent over them.
Yes, oh, yes" Tom had decided that he
might as well humor the man. Poor old
| chapi River life must be dreadfully dull.
You'll allus have somethin' to be thank
full for the boatman persisted, trying to
draw forth a confession. He, with the rest
of the world. loved lover.
We'll always be thankful to you for
Job toy Il NIL, L To
was beginning to feel a spark of enthu-
siasm. IT'S jolly good of you Do it
often?"
LAS many times as 1 could count. Why,
just the other night I took young couple
over and | no sooner'n got back than the
girls pa was here at the dock waitin' for
me- But by that time they was married.
'Marred?" Evans laughed, though for
| the life of him he did not know why. And
fooled the stern parent"
How romanticr" cried Helen. And did
you take him over, too?"
Not much. Would you want me to take
your pa over if I should find him lookin' for
you when l get back?" he asked, his
weather-beaten, good-natured face wreath
ed 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 a
natural mistake, after all. Unconsciously,
Tom moved closer to the girl. He was sorry
the river man was laboring under a delu
sion.
Shall I set him right?" he asked, seeing
her embarrassment. 1T seems pity"
Helen raised her eyes to his. mo, never
mind" she said. very softly. 1T would be
a pity. He's-hes so pleased"
For a few minutes no one spoke. but the
three watched the little boat ride the waves
and splash about merrily, If it, too, We're
pleased and thankful to be alive. Then a
succession of tugs and ferryboats blocked
the way, and Tom realized that they would
miss the train-and the foot ball game, but,
strangely, he felt none of the disappoint
ment which had swept over him when the
ferryboat had left them standing on the
pier a few minutes before. Wonderful pos
sibilites had presented themselves to his
mental vision. Perhaps-why not?
These couples-these clipping couples"
he began, did they get married over here?"