Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-25
DAILY SHORT STORY
CUPiD'S TILlER.


utes the frigid silence had been broken
only by the swish of the boats PROV
through the water and by the splash
OF the waves on her cheeks.
And for fully ten minutes the wind
had been rising, with Cupid i'll full sail.
why" the girl asked mentally,
doesn't he take reef"
Why the man wondered, doesn't
she become friglnened:'
Savagely lie showed the tiller down
and ran up into the wind. He would
bring the Cupid about with Il whirl
that would at least transform the pref
" pout OH the face in the bow into an
expression of amazement.
But the little yacht. unaccuStomed TO
such strenuous handling. baked IT the
turning and. Tapping her white sail
pitifully for Il minnie, dipped over into
the stormy waters.
Two Obs sounded simultaneously
as the man and the girl felt the cold
water close over them; then. as they
bobbed up. the right arm of the man
firmly encircled the girls waist. while
lie held the boat with the other With
II
the overturned yacht and climbed up
himself
The girl laughed. ITS pretty wet"
she said. trying hard to keep her bal
ance on the wave rocked boat.
"Ah yes Plainly the man WAS
relieved. For minute he had cursed
his own rccklcSsness. but if she were
only "wet" need he worry:
A lapse OF Il minute ensuei while
they adjusted themselves To- their I'M
usual positions.
Aren't you Sorry" asked the girl.
surveying her bedraGgled duck frock.
Aren't you:" the man rctorted. The
pluuging had not cleared the atmos
phcre: remnants of the frigidity re-
manned.
For WHAT the girl asked innocent
ly The sun was heating down on her
and restoring her wet curls to their
natural glimmering golden hue.
For this" indicating the position of
the Cupid.
81 didn't do it"
But You drove me TO it, the man
persisted.
Il hadn't said word for hours
when you deliberately ran into the
wind and-and upset u.s." she declared
emphatically.
They were drifting TO shore. but not
TO their own side of the sound. Neither
of them noticed where their boat was
heading.
II didn't think she'd go over. but I'm
glad now that she did" The mans face
had taken on an expression OF deter
mination.
"Oh." with utter establishment. "And
/ might have been drowned"
Not while L was with you the man
assured her.
After Il minute the girl looked at
him. How are We TO get home:" she
asked. Il have an engagement this
evening"
II am aware of that" the man re-
turned. And with me-
Il believe / explained to you before
before the boat went over that / was
not going with you To that dance"
And / am explaining to you now
that until you promise To 80 with me
instead of that Thompkins fellow to-
night you will not go ut all" His tone
was firm.
y wave tuelT
balance. and the sail Tapped back and
forth joyously in the water. The Cupid
was laughing.
The man went on: 1T is q mean ad-
vantage. but think. haven't you played
with me long enough? Aren't you go
ing To tell me what I've wanted to
know so long," He moved closer to
her and in 80 doing rocked the boat
'N-no," the girl answered between
breaths.
Then well stay here. We will re-
main on this overturned boat until
you promise TO marry me-and soon
too"
But if-if don't love you" argued
the girl. avoiding his eyes.
You do, though" lie said confident !
ly.
The girl elevated her eyebrows. |
Things had taken "A new turn.
''I'll drown Tiff we stay here much /
longer" she said after Il minute, try |
ing 10 assume a pleading tone.
The man drew still nearer-aImost /
close. Don't you love me, dear:" he 4
asked.
the side OF the boat as big wave /
swept them several feet on its crest.
The man put his arm slowly. firmly. |
about her waist. And you will marry /
me-
He heard only the Tapping of the 1
Cupid's sail in the water. The girl /
did not answer
Wont you:' lie repeated.
The girl slid slowly from his en- |
brace, looking him full in the eyes.
Her feet touched the water.
Yes she cried. and struck out |
among the waves with n stroke even
the man might have envied her-had
he not been too astOnished.
"And-.Iack." she called between
waves. '-you-see-I-I did not have
10 say yes / can swim
The man righted the Cupid. but when
the girl again. vet but still pretty sat |