The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-06-24

TAG ocALA BANNER
Cape is my home" Gererdde answered
quietly.
Indeed! Then you are native.
should hardly have thought it,"
A faint color rose under the girls
skin at the superciliOuS tone.
Miss Woodford's forefatbers settled
here over 300 years ago" Garst broke
in quietly. Il believe her ancestors
for six generations back are buried in
the little cemetery at Plum Cove Not
many of Us can 90 as far back as
that"
Mrs. Armitage looked quickly from
Garst 10 the girl beyond him. But
Gertrude had left the group with her
head held high. She wanted none OF
Garst's vindication of her family. She
had almost reached the house when b.
overlook her.
"One moment" be pleaded. Il want
SO much TO speak 10 you tonight"
Il am afraid / must ask you to eX-
cuse me-" she said Jelly.
Had Garst known that the cold. Iii
rect look which she sent into his eyes
was really the outcome of burning
jealousy he would not have turned
away with so heavy a heart.
Jack Clifford had hard work to per
suade her TO accompany them on the
yachting party arranged for the next
morning.
You forget that l am a native
The summer people might object" she
said. with a bitter little smile. and
Garst set his heel into the ground as
be listened.
When they reached the wharf Ger
trude turned 10 Jack Clifford.
"Old Captain Lufkin is sick and can't
go, the boy tells me-" she said quickly.
Il think we had better give up the
trip"
Miss WOOdford" looked at her
with mock reprOach-"I am panied
chat YOU should thus undervalue my
craftsmanship. Nothing but patriotic
feeling prevented my offering my ex-
pert services to Sir Thomas. Step on
board the WidgeOn. ladies. and fear
nothing"
But fear entered Gertrude's heart
more than once when they had left
the little harbor and she noted the
darkening horizon.
Mrs Armitage was sitting near
Garst, beautiful in her soft white fan
mel yachting suit. After half an hours
sailing Gertrude crossed to where Jack
Clifford sat at the helm, thus bringing
herself on Garst's other side.
DO put back" she whispered to
Clifford we are going to have
squat. and a bad one"
After a critical glance at the sky
Jack put the boats head around. But
even as he did so a cold blast, which
was the forebOdng Of coming i'll, shiv-
cred over them. Gertrude drew her
breath hard. She alone knew what the
wind would be when it struck them.
Suddenly as if she had received a
mortal blow the WidgeOn went over
over until her mainsaU lay almost level
on the water. With a horrible. hungry,
suggestive hiss the sea. rose over the
combngs Of the hatchway.
Too terrified to scream. the women
held their breath clinging for dear life
to whatever they could hold on by.
Mrs. Armitage flung herself on Garst's
shoulder.
stephen. Save me-
But in that moment when death
seemed upon them he was not even
aware Of her presence. His arm went
around the girl at his side and drew
her close, his lips brushing her cheek.
while her damp hair blew against his
face. Gertrude scarcely cared whether
it was life or death.
Then she suddenly wrenched herself
free and flung her weight upon the
tiller, putting it hard to port, for Jacks
amateur skill seemed to have deserted
him The WidgeOn came round, shud-
dering, into the wind and lay like a
frightened thing with tapping sails
while the squall raced by.
II think We owe our lives to you.
Miss WOOdfOrd." One Of the women
from the Ocean View approached Ger
trude when they were safely landed on
the wharf. but Garst drew her aside.
Sweetheart" His voice vibrated as
he bent over her.
Mrs. Armitage turned to look after
them, lifting an end of her bedraggled
flannel skirt.
We'll" she said slowly, ''for nerve
give me a nativew
The New Anthem.