The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-12-01
Conqueress Or
Conqueror ?
BY Cbomas G. fcsscnden
Copyright, 1905, By X. Il. Whitehead

Bit OF color in her .,unburned cheeks
and Il touch of angry fire in her eyes
Below them the calm water of the lake
reflected the red glow of the western
sky. A small sailboat and canoe,
tied TO the pier. lay motionless on the
mirrorlikc water.
And why. pray said the girl petu-
lantly, cant we start now? It's a
long sail to the island, and we shall be
late
Il want to make sure of that fell
lows intentions" he replied, pointing
TO Il dull gray cloud just showing an
elSe in the southwest.
The girl laughed mockingly. You're
not afraid of that" she asked.
I've encountered three of them at
various times here" he replied. ''They
imbucd me with very wholesome re-
spect for their kind"
II didn't think you were the sort Of
man to be afraid of cloud" she said
impatieatiy, especially one that prob
ably Will not come within miles Of
here"
I'm afraid to start out with you
when that fellow is poking up his ugly
head" he said, land, what's more. I'm
Lot afraid to say So"
"Oh, let's risk it." she said. "I'll take
the consequences That lifts the re-
sponsibility off your shoulders"
Wen wait Bit" said he.
Il believe you're afraid on your own
account" she tainted.
very possibly" he said quietly.
The girl bit her lips. She slid from
the rail and came close beside him.
"You're-a-cowardr she said, with
slow distinctness.
The young man did not lift his eyes.
She saw the blood rush into his face
and his jaw set grimly.
Perhaps" lie said, with strange gen.
tleness.
The girl stood quite still for mo-
ment, with flashing eyes and little
hands tightly clinched.
You arc" she said, you arer'
She stepped across the pier and be-
gan to unite the painter Of the canoe.
Don't do thatr' he said sharply,
springing up. But before he could re-
strain her she was in the canoe and
clear Of the pier. She turned to wave
the paddle leiiantly.
I'm going down to the island" she
called. III tell them l left you here
waiting for cloud to pass over.
Adieu, Sir Cautionr
Little fooI"' he growled, and, hur-
rying across the pier, he united the
sailboat, stepped in and pushed off.
There was not enough breeze to give
him Roadway. The boat drifted idly,
with Tapping sail. Far away he heard
Il peal of dcrisive laughter. The girl,
padding sturdily, was just disappear
ing around the point.
He looked anXiously at the south
west. The cloud had changed from
gray to black. 1t was mounting the
sky like Il race horse. The dull boom
of distant thunder shook the air. He
shortened sail down to the last reef
and waited.
Higher and higher came the cloud,
and as it crept up the sky it's edges took
Oh liyid green. The red afterglow Of
twilight was suddenly bIotted out, and
the water became inky black. The first
flaws struck him. The boat careened
and went tearing down the lake. From
the woods across the lake came deep,
STEADY roar that told him the wind
was coming in earnest. He grlpped
tiller and sheet and shut his teeth.
AS he reached the point he saw the
canoe just ahead rolling madly and
threatening momentarily to upset. He
could see the girl, Il CHASTITY spot of
white against the blackness Of sky and
water, padding frantically in her efforts
to reach the shore. He shot the boat
into the wind alongside, scrambled to
the rail and pulled her In. With no
waste of time he dropped her across a
seat and sprang to the tiller just as the
full fury of the wind caught them The
sail filled with a noise like the crack of
dangerously, then righted heavily as
he let go the sheet.
The girl, with white face and fright
ened eyes, chung to the rail-
''What-what have l done" she gasp
ed between her chattering teeth.
''Done?" he cried bitterly. You've
nearly drowned yourself, and you may
Grown US both yet. God knows!"
She Shrank as from physical blow,
but he had no time to notice 1t. He
pulled Il knife from his pocket and
flung it to her.
h1t nj c+o Nv b,a hoI
yards. Cut them quickly If tell you
TO-"
A binding shaft of light streamed
from the sky, accompanied simultane-
ously by a deafening crash. Then the
rain came down In torrents, shutting
sharp report. The mainsheet had
parted.
THE halyards-quick" he yelled.
She slashed with the knife, and the
sail came rafting down.
4 moment later there was q shock
that set the boat quivering from stem
TO stern, and this was followed by a
dull grating beneath the keel. By good
luck they had struck on one of the
many islands in the lake. He caught
the girl in his arms and sprang ashore.
If she anticipated torrent of re-
proach from him, she was disappoint-
ed. He made fast the painter and then
stood looking at her with a grave
smile. They We're both drenched and
disheveled, and she was shivering.
Are you cold?" he asked gently.
"No-o-o," she chartered, and then u
sob caught in her throat. Harry" she
faltercd. ''scold me. accuse me-yes,
even swear ut me-but-but don't
please don't, be SO good to me beyond
my deserts"
He looked ut her, perpleXed
II called you Il coward" she re-
minded him.
''Pshaw." he laughed heartily. Then
suddenly he became grave.
But that is serious, come to think Of
it." he said thoughtfully. 1T will take
your whole lifetime to make me be-
licve I'm not"
The color surged into her cheeks
Her eyes were lowered.
Nevertheless, shall try toto make
you believe it." she said.
And thus in the gray, driving rain the
troth was plightcd.
How John Hay Regarded CritIca.
John Hay was chatting about his lit
erary experiences with an intimate
friend when the latter asked:
John, what feature or phase Of this