Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-02-17
Bess, Queen Of
StrategistS

-. Iqo4. b. Z. D ~


bly, beach. Without n breath Of hesita-
ton she seized the PROV OF tlh little
steel boat, gave a vigorous push, n
practiced leap and stood polling swiftly
over the shadows with one oar. The
blue line OF deep water reached. she
dropped into the seat and rowed with
long, strong strokes. Half across the
arm Of the lake, that lay between the
mainland aud the little island toward
which she was pulling, she rested on
her oars.
"Hm-mg' This in n tone Of mild
surprise. 1.-THE bloOdthirsty pursuer
doesn't seem to be gaining very rapid
". Not a sign Of him yet. Guess I'll
give him a little chance. I've excuse
enough for wanting to remodel myself,
goodness knows.'
And she raised her arms, barred to
the elbow n brown against the white
OF her gown, to a mass OF tawny hair,
very bewitchingly disheyeled from the
precipitousness OF her launching.
'Tm morally certain lac saw me, too"
she reflected, braidlng the heavy coils
into a shining rope that more than
reached the door OF the boat al she sat,
"for he came around the corner OF the
piazza Just as l crossed the road into
the thicket. i should think he'd want
to say goOdby Neutrality-suspicious..
But l don't care! 1 said I'd never
speak to him again, and 1 shan'tF' She
seized the oars and pulled the remain
lug half mile with vicious, snappy
strokes.
It would have been much cooler back
in the overgreens, but she disposed
herself on the open SAND with the pill
lows, book and parnsol which formed
part Of the boats furnishings. The
bright scarlet sunshade was thus I'M
mistakably visible from the mainland.
The warm discomfort OF her vigil
was at length rewarded by the output
ting Of a boat with a single white fan
neled occupant. The scarlet parasol
swung around and presented a broad
side view to tho water. When the on
coming BOAT was half across, the girl,
her back persistently toward 1t, gath
cred up her belongings and betook her
self calmly to the friendly shadows a
few yards awny.
The novel must have been intensely
interesting, for she had apparently not
taken her eyes from its pages during
all the time that an athletic looking
fellow was Bleaching a boat, crossing
the sand md throwing himself on the
ground nj her feet.
II came over to say goodby, Bess,"
he volunteered to the back OF the book.
No answer
"And to ask you to forgive me-"
Continued silence.
won't you forgive me, Bessf" with
quiet earnestness.
Over the top Of the book he was
given IN instant's burning glance Of
scornful eyes.
"Oh, / know you told me never to
speak to you again, and l don't sup
pose you'll answer me either. / was a
fool not TO get at least your forgiveness
last night, but some way / was too
too stunned, / guess. But whether
YOU II bDGuA " lis VI hOE \ "a -
the privilege OF saying a few things
that l want you to know. Tiff you'd
Just put the book down and let me
know that you're hearing, Bessl" he
pleaded.
The leaves Of the novel only turned
the faster.
'Tm going on the 3 o'clock train" he
said tentatively. 1T seemed the only
thing to do TO make 1t easier fOr-foI
both Of us nfter-nfter-everything
But probably you heard that / am go
ing. / was simply thinking that al
wen presumably never see each OtheI
again II wouldn't do any harm ant
would be so much more satisfactory Il
you'd Just let me explain"
Explain she flashed, unaware
then BIT her lip and turned anothe
page.
He smiled In spite Of himself, though
her anger was far from being al
amusing thing to him.
Eyes, explain" he continued, evident
y encouraged. The hrst thing
should want to do II / knew l had you
permission" Che paused for the re
spOnse that was not v~ouchsafed), II
to tell you that 30 far this has beel
the happiest summer OF my life and I
thank you for It. I've had such a goo
time, Bessi I'm working pretty hard
you know, since they made me a part
ner, and wasn't intending to take an!
vacation. But when your aunt's not
came asking me for the house party
was too deliriously glad TO care a RAJ
for tin consequences. Because ! knew
what Il meant, you Gee-that you hal
suggested II and wanted me TO come
She stirred uneaslly, pumped up
cushion behind her back, shipped al
ant from her skirt. then took up til
book again. not seeming TO notice tina
q score Of pages had nutsered over.
Il suppose youn hardly realize wha
Il has meant TO me" lie was on hi
back, hands under head, and Nigh
have been addressing the tiny patche
Of blue that shone between the gree
boughs overhead. Il went into IL
business 30 very young aud have bee
about 80 little. Il was especially lar