Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1905-11-11
AFTER THE
SQUALL
By HONORE WILLSIE


the early green OF the trees melted into
the hazy gray of the sky At the col
lcgc pier the reflection OF the pier posts
wavercd Serenely from the reflected
roof Of the boathouse
Fit TO give one the nightmare" Peg
gy exclaimed as Jack handed her care.
fully into the boat
1T does look squally," said Jack, tax
ing up the oars; the sky, | mean, not
the rcfectiOn.'
POOH" answered Peggy. curling her
self up in the stern of the boat DO
you suppose I'm going to let the pros
pect Of mere Squall spoil my first
boat ride of the year? Besides, we
both can swim, cant wc?"
Jack stared at Peggy with what was
intended for look of whitening dis
dain.
You bet, Peggy, if l thought there
was any danger in this stunt I'd not
take YOU"
Peggy raised her eyebrows. Jack,
what is the matter with YOU: Are YOU
trying to be proud and naughty in an
old sweater? My child. please recall
that You had to be spanked into having
your face washed. 1t is now, oh, Jack,
too late to make an impression on my
fresh young heart. +
"Gee, but you're crazyr' murmured
Jack
And l." went on Peggy, ignoring the
interruption. Il wish to state that this
sudden development OF courtesy in one
who has pulled my hair and whose ears
| have boxed both in sorrow and in an
ger makes me feel the neccS|it of re
minding YOU that it is useless for you
to fuss and put on airs. for you are
nothing but Il freshman after all"
Jack dug his oars viciouSly into the
water. SplaShing his own red jersey
and Pcg%y'S white sweater.
STRIKES me you entered the same
day did. What time does that bloom
i'll matron say you'll have to be back :"
six o'clock. Otherwise it's Peggy
Botany club depends on me to get the
lichcnS to them before T." she an
swrrcd, making herself into a still
smaller bah in the stern seat. The boat
leaked little.
'Oh, Wen be back in time easy.
Wen reach the pines in half an hour"
Peggy looked ii little anNiouSly ut the
< 1I.lt Il
she said. Il guess IA get out the extra
oars and help"
you'll do nothing of the sort" an
swer"d Jack. Its not a girls work"
Peggy looked up quickly. then smiled
to herself and settled back in her place
again. 1t was very still and sheltered
among the pines. The soft new needles
SmeIl"d delirtouSly of spring. and the
wind was only Il faraway sigh in the
treet0pS. The pine trees murmured,
robins tlickcrcd among the soft fuZZ of
the new needles. Suddenly Jack pulled
out his watch
"Ger whiz," he said its five min
uteS of g.
Peggy could feel herself going white.
Jack" she gaSpcd. its not Il funny
joke to be hauled up by the house com
mittee. They are all seniors, and no
on" is SO hard on Il FIRE |hman as Il sen
iOr. They have been through all these
scrapcS and know how to strike hard"
They ran to the shore. In the shelter
of the pines they had not realized that
heavy Suuall had grown out of the
bryht ~ 81,
was thick with whitrcaps. and the
wind tore across the lake ms if deter
mined to aid the house committee
against the delinquent Peggy.
Jack looked out ut the water with
lips tight pressed. Peggy" he said.
'Ill not venture out with YOU with a
sea like that one. house committee or
no house committee"
Jack Howard" replied Peggy,
you've got to-"
Peggy" lie threw back his shoul-
derS and eyed Peggy with dignity
"Peggy. you are not going to he drown
ed while | am around. | tell YOU l will
not 20 till the squall is over"
Peggy threw back her GirIiSh shoul-
ueTS anu PNtu ld'h WITH even greater
dignity than his own.
IN not speak to YOU. Jack Howard
until you launch that boat" And with
this she pulled her tam q Shanter
down over her curly hair, walked back
to the edge of the pines and, sitting
down in the needles, stared with mark
ed Indifference at the sky above Jacks
head
lack stood irreSolute for II moment
Peggy had never looked more tantaliz
ing The white tam shaded face that
was almost irresistible, and he was
conscious of an insane desire to obey
the beheSts of that capriciouS. curly
head even though so doing might lead
TO the bottom of the lake. But another
look at the water and he Withdrew to
the foot of the tree opposite leggys.
After lighting his pipe he studied his
boots with impaSSive face. Minute aft
er minute went by, and the cold spring
dusk came on.
I'm just freezing to this old pine
tree" thought Peggy. but | Just won't
give in. Doesn't he look dear and trag-
ic, though? | wouldn't have missed
this row for anything. Rows do bring
out the character so. Now. who would
have thought that | could he so firm"
Little by little as the night settled