Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-11-25

looked up tHe foail. iar UP tue dusty
line. running between green fields,
toilIng wagon spoke of passengers for
the ferry. and she swung herself lightly
into the launch AMI busted herself with
starting the motor.
Ii was hard work for girl. but some.
thing had 10 he done and the Millie NJ.
was her only resource II had been
fun. In her summer vacations TO play
about the boat and help her father at
the wheel. but now that he was i'll she
must take his work and every day. in
fair weather or wst. make the hourly
trips across the four mile stretch OF
water which lay between the two
states.
Could she have finished her course at
college she might have found some
other way of supporting herself and
her father. hut there was an opportu-
nifty here to continue her studies. and
when rheumatism had laid her father
fiat upon his back She had given up the
last term and had come hrne to be
both captain and engineer of the little
ferry
Between December and April the
lake was frozen over. and II business
was brisk this summer there might be
chance TO take Il half year 1t would
delay her graduation ut least year,
perhaps two. but her chief duty was
toward her father. who. since her baby
hood. had strivcn 50 hard 10 replace
that mother she had lost He lavished
hAf. fit.4 "a tf.stinu chilli
would expect from both parents.
When Captain Blake had been com.
PEELED 10 take 10 his bed his first
thought was for his daughter. the sec
ond for the ferry line Ii he gave II up
some one else would start a line. and
when he should be better he would find
his means of livelihood gone.
But even AT that he would not hear
of Miles giving up the term. and the
girl settled the matter herself by calm
~ coming home and putting the launch
I'm commission as soon rs the lee went
out
II had been a busy season. for after
hours the patrons of the big hotel ON
the blum We're wont 10 hire the boat
AbA Niit OI tllC
credit side of the bank book cheered
Millie when nj times 1t seemed that
she, too, would have 10 give in.
There We're eight IN the party that
wanted 10 cross the lake. but only the
strapping sheriff attracted her atten-
ton as he dropped into the launch and
climbed over the partition separating
for passengers
"Most ready TO give in. MillieT he
asked as the girl made room for him
on the seat beside her.
Not yet" she answered as she reach
cd for the wheel. 81 won't let them
say that married you so as to be able
10 complete my course"
Il guess they know well enough that
we have been engaged ever since ]
went into long trousers" he urged.
rBesides. II you really love me you
will not care what people say
Cant you understand how ] feeli"
she demanded II do love you. Dick.
but they must not say that | married
you just because you had the money
NY IHuNl ItUllLt TINT
ried you because wanted you. You
have your spurs as sheriff 10 win;
have my diploma TO work for. Then
we can be married"
"And live happy ever after" he COM
pleted Just walt until capture the
Mayvllle bank robbers. and I'll win
your consent In spite of you"
u. ,rgn
He laid slip Of paper on the seat.
but Just then the last Of the passengers
settled themselves and the boat glided
out into the lake. Miles hands as
steady upon the wheel MS though the
man she loved were not sitting beside
her
She thought no more of the paper I'M
I'll she came down 10 the dock after
supper 10 get the launch ready for
trip down the lake with a party from
the hotel. Then she glanced over the
printed slip. Offering an aggregate re-
ward Of $4,000 for the three men
whose robbery of the Mayville bank
was the latest Of daring series.
So engrossed did she become that she
had 10 hurry NJ the last. and just as
she looked up from her task. ready to
pull out and run down TO the hotel
dock. she faced an exceedingly busl-
nesslike revolver held by a determined
looking man
I'VE want 20 cross the lake he said
roughly. 'and you can't get across any
too quick either"
This boat Is engaged for the even
Ing" she said calmly. though her heart
beat high rs she realized that there
were three In the party the very men
at whose portraits she had been look
Ing.
you bet it's engaged" was the
rough response. ''and you want 10
make start mighty prompt"
Her quick ear caught the beat OF
hJofs down the road and she sought to
make n delay. but there was some
thing In the leaders face that meant
business. aud. with no comment. she
turned 10 the motor and the boat glid-