Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-02-04
Ell Ell ss s 3
TIE WRONG MISS SHURTLFFF.
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than most men to lie abed late in the
morning.
Every day, when he could persuade
them to so, Clifford took the two
women out rowing or fishing or explor-
ing. Before they came to camp he
had been too lazy to 20 out on the
water unless Tommy pushed the boat,
but now he was always ready to row
boat containing both Miss Shurtleff
and her mother any number of weary
miles, while Tommy, with a smile hid
den under his brown mustache, came
Swimming along behind, with nothing
but the lunch basket in his skiff.
When you consider that Chords
arms were short and thick, that his
wind was bad and his hands tender,
and that he had never done any row.
ing before that summer, you may be-
gin to realize the power of love. Big
blood blisters came on the palms of
Gifford's pudgy hands, and he suffered
almost continually from pains In his
back and legs. but not for moment
did he ever think of giving up the bat
tie. Miss Shurtleff expressed an ad-
miration for water lilies; Clifford wad-
ed out In ten inches of water and two
feet Of mud to get them, greatly to
the damage of his foOtgear and trou-
sers Miss Shurtleff casually remarked
that the great hairy woodpecker must
be curious looking bird; Clifford, fat
and round, climbed a forty-foot pine
stump, and took young bird out of
its nest to show her. incidentally the
stump broke as he was coming down
and Clifford fell into the creek. For
tunately the creek bottom was good
and soft.
The climax came on a Saturday.
Tommy, the guide, precipitated mat
tiers the night before.
Mr.. Shurtleff is coming Sunday
morning." he said.
Clifford started as If he had been
shot. In the more than two weeks
which had passed since Miss Shurt-
left come to the camp, he had never
once had an opportunity to speak with
her alone. And now her father was
coming For some reason Clifford felt
much afraid of Mr.. Shurtleff, though
he had never seen him. He was anx-
ious to reach some sort of an under
standing with the daughter before the
old man put in his appearance. Only
one day remained In which to make
the attempt Chords back ached and
his arms were sore; his hands were
one mass Of blsters and his legs
panied him at every step But he was
game.
What do you say to a little row
down to Big Dog lake," he asked air
lily that Friday evening after supper.
Big Dog lake was a good twelve miles
to the south. Altogether the trip meant
a row of twenty-five miles.
I'D like to 60" said Miss Shurtleff,
but it's terribly long row."
Not at ALL said Clifford, and Tom
my, the guide, retired to the porch
and laughed noiselessly with one
hand over his mouth.
''I'll take you in my boat" said Gift
ford, desperately, and"
NO" interrupted the young wom-
an, II think we'd better go together
We can both go in Tommy's boat and
you can"
Not at ALL" said Clifford, 81 will
row you both, of course, If you prefer
to go together"
They started at five o'clock in the
morning Clifford felt sure he should
faint before they covered the first five
miles. But he gritted his teeth and
kept on, though every stroke was
agony. He had laid out his plan of
campaign. He would wait until they
landed for luncheon, and then make an
opportunity to speak to the young |
woman alone.
Luncheon time came. Clifford ate al |
most nothing When they had fin |
ished their coffee he started to walk |
back into the woods. Presently there
came the sound of cry.
Come here. quick" Clifford was |
calling. Tommy the guide, must have |
been posted beforehand At any rate,
he did not move. But the young wom-
an was up In an instant, running back |
through the woods trail as lightly as
a fawn. The old party sat still on
had expected.
Clifford wasted no time.