The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-04-24
TILLER

Oh speaking terms. Fol fully ten min
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 minu the wind
had been rising, with Cupid in full sail.
Why" the girl asked mentally
doesn't he take a reef?"
Why" the man Wandered, doesn't
she become frightenedY'
S~avagely he showed the tilier down
and ran up into the wind. He would
bring the Cupid about with a whirl
that would at least transform the pref
ty pout N the C in the bow into an
expression of amaZe1nent.
But the little yacht. unaccustomed to
such handling, baked at the
turning and. tapping her white sail
pit1fully for a minute, 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
he held the BOAT with the other. With
out a word he raised her to the side Of
the overturned yacht and climbed up
himself.
The girl laughed. Its pretty wet"
b said. trying hard to keep her bal
ance on the wave rocked boat.
'Ah yes" Plainly the man was
relieved. For a minute he had cursed
his own ~reckIessness. but if h We're
My wet" need he worry
\ lapse of a minute ensued while
they adjusted themselves to their un-
usual positions.
Aren't you sorry? asked the girl.
surveying her bedraggIed duel frock.
Aren't your" the man retorted. The
plunging had not cleared the atmos-
phere: of the frigidity re-
manned.
For what?" the girl asked innocent
ly. The sun was beating down on her
and restoring her wet curls to their
natural glimmering golden Tue
Fol this" indicating the position of
the Cupid.
Il didn't do it"
But you drove me to it," h man
persisted.
Il hadn't said a word for hours
when you deliberately ran into the
wind and-and upset u.s." she declared
They were drifting to shore. but not
to their own side of the sound Neither
of them noticed where their boat was
heading.
Il 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
OH with utter establishment. And
l might have been drowned"
Not while l was with you" the man
assured her.
After a minute the girl looked at
asked. Il have an engagement this
evening""
Il am aware of that" the man re-
turned. And with me-
Il believe l explained to you before
before the boat went over that L was
moi going with o to hat dance"
And l am explaining to you now
until you promise to go with me
of that ~Thompkins fellow to-
you will not go at all" His tOne
was firm.
A wave nearly threw them off their
balance, and the sail tapped back and
forth joyously in the water. The Cupid
laughing.
The man went on: 1T is a mean ad-
vantage. but think. haven't you played
with me long enoughf Aren't you go
ing to tell me what Nv wanted to
so long?" He moved closer to
her and In so doing rocked the BOAT
dangerously.
"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-an soon
But Tiff 1 don't love you" argued
he girl. avoiding his eyes.
You do, though" he said confident
y.
The girl elevated her eyebrows.
Things had taken a new turn.
I'll drown Tiff we stay here much
she said after a minute, try
-ng to assume a pleading tone.
The man drew still nearer-almost
close. Don't you love me. dear?' be
"You-you know" she said. grabbing
side Of the boat as a big wave
,wept them several feet on its crest.
The man put his arm slowly, firmly.
her waist. And you will marry
He heard only the Tapping of the
Cupid's sail in the water. The girl
lid not answer.
Won't your" he repeated.
The girl slid slowly from his en-
1900 I0@l-.-~ h1-o f-II T. 49, 1900
Her feet touched the water.
Yes" h cried. and struck out
lmong the waves with a stroke even