The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-10-25
AFTER THE
SQUALL
By noNoRE wILLs1E
Copyright, 1905, by Honore willsie

The lake lay smooth and dark like a
piece of smoked glass. Along the shore
the early green of the trees melted into
the hazy gray Of the sky. At the col.
lege pier the reflection of the pier posts
wayered serepely 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.
ut does look squally," said Jack, tax
Ing up the oars; 1.-The sky, mean, not
the reflection"
Pooh" answered Peggy, curling her
self up in the stern of the boat do
you suppose Pm going to let the pros
pect Of mere squall spoil my first
boat ride of the year? Besides, we
both can swim, can't WEI"
Jack stared at Peggy with what was
intended for look of whitening dis
dain.
You bet, Peggy, II 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, r.
Gee, but you're crazy" 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
l have boxed both in sorrow and in an
ger makes me feel the necessity Of re-
minding you that it Is useless for you
to fuss and put on airs, for you are
nothing but freshman after ALL"
Jack dug his oars viciously into the
water, splashing his own red jersey
and Peggy's white sweater.
Strikes me you entered the same
day did. What time does that bloom
in matron say you'll have to be backY'
six o'clock. Otherwise it's Peggy
before the house committee, and the
Botany club depends ON me to get the
ltchens to them before q" she an
swered. making herself into a still
smaller ball in the stern seat. The boat
leaked little.
"Oh, We'll be back in time easy.
Wen reach the pines in half an hour"
Peggy looked a little anxiously at the
Sky. "That wind Is coming up, Jack"
she said. II guess I'll get out the extra
oars and help
you'll do nothing of the Sort" an
swered Jack. Its not 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
smelled deliciously of spring. and the
wind was only a faraway sigh in the
treetops. The pine trees murmured,
robins fickered among the soft fuzz Of
the new needles. Suddenly Jack pulled
out his watch.
Gee whiz," he said, "its five min
utes Of 81
Peggy could feel herself going white.
Jack" she gasped, tits not funny
joke to be hauled up by the house COM
mittee. They are all seniors, and no
one is SO hard on freshman as SEN
Tor. They have been through all these
scrapes and know how to strike hard"
They ran to the shore. In the shelter
of the pines they had not realized that
a heavy squall had grown out of the
light wind Of the afternoon. The water
was thick with whitecaps, and the
wind tore across the lake as II deter
mined to aid the house committee
against the delinquent Peggy.
Jack looked out at the water with
lips tight pressed. Peggy" he said,
"Ill not venture out with you with q
sea like that one, house committee or
no house committee"
Jack Howard" replied Peggy,
you've got to-"
Peggy" He threw back his shout
ders and eyed Peggy with dignity.
Peggy, you are not going to be drown
ed while l am around. 1 tell you will
not go till the squall Is over"
Peggy threw back her girlish shout
ders and eyed Jack with even greater
dignity than his own.
"l'll not speak to you, Jack Howard,
until you launch that boat" And with
this she pulled her tam o. 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
Jack stood irresolute for 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 capriclous, curly
head even though SO doing might lead
tO tho hnttOm Of tho lal,a Rut apotbor