The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-03-12

her. Unwilling as she was. she had tC
submit to an Introduction 10 Mrs. Ar
mitage, Stephen Garst's former tiancee
The latter turned to her at once with O
scrutinIzing look The girl was roc
pretty not to be dangerous.
1T is beautiful here in these late
summer weeks" she drawled.
Il think it beautiful at all times. The
cape is my home" Gertrude answered
quietly.
Indeed! Then you are a-natiye.
should hardly have though t."
A faint color rose under the girls
skin at the supercllious zone.
Miss Woodford's forefathers settled
here over 2CO years ago" Garst broke
In quietly. Il believe her ancestors for
six generations back are buried in the
little cemetery at Plum Cove. Not
many ci us can go as far back as that"
Mrs. Armitago looked quickly from
Garst to the girl beyond him. But
Gertrude had left the group with her
head eld high. She wanted none of
Garst's vindicatIon of her family. She
had almost reached the house when he
overlook her
Zone moment" he pleaded. II want
SO much to speak 10 you tonight"
Il am afraid must ask you TO ex-
cuse me-" she said, icily.
Had Garst known thai the cold. di-
rect look which she sent tito his eyes
was really the outcome of burning
Jealousy, he would not have turned
away with so heavy heart.
Jack Clifford had hard work to per-
suade her to accompany them ON the
yachting party arranged for the next
morning.
You forget tl.at am a native The
summer people might object, she said
with a bitter little smile. and Garst
set his heel int. the ground as he list
ened.
Wien they reached the wharf Ger
trude turned TO Jack Clifford.
"Old Captain Lufkin is sick and
can't go. the boy tells me-" she said
quickly. II think we had better give
up the trip"
Miss Woodford" d"-Jack looked at her
with mock reproach-"I am panied that
you should thus undervaIue my yachts
manship. Nothing but patriotic feeling
prevented my offering my expert sery-
ices to Sir Thomas for Shamrock III.
Step on board the Widgeon, ladies, and
fear nothing"
But fear entered Gertrude's heart
more than once when they had left the
little harbor and she noted the Garken-
ing horizon.
Mrs. Armitage was sitting near
Carst, beautiful in her soft white aap-
mel yachting suit After half an hours
sailing Gertrude crossed TO where Jack
Clifford sat at the helm, thus bringing
herself on Garst's other side.
DO put back" she whispered 10
Clifford. I'VE are going to have
squall. and a bad one"
After critical glance at the sky
Jack put TIC boats head around. Rut
even as he did so a cold blast. which
was as the foreboding OF coming i'll,
over them. Gertrude drew
her breath hard She alone knew what
the wind would be when it struck
them.
Suddenly. as K she had received
mortal blow. the Wldgecn went over
over until her malnsail lay almost level
on the water. With horrible hungry.
suggestive hiss The sea rose over the
OF the hatchway.
Too terrified to scream the women
held their breath. cling for dear life to
whatever they could hold on by. Mrs.
Armitage flung herself on Garst's
shoulder.
Stephen, Save mer'
But in that moment when death
seemed upon them he was not even
iware Of her presence. His arm went
around the girl at his side and drew
her close. his lips brushing her cheek. |
while her damp hair blew against his |
face. Gertrude scarcely cared wheth-
u II was life o. death.
Then she suddenly wrenched herself |
free and flung her weight upon the til |
er, put 1t hard 10 port. for Jacks anna
eur skill seemed'to have deserted him.
rhe Widgeon came round, shuddering.
nto the wind. and lay like frightened |
hing with Tapping sails while the
'quall raced by.
Il think we eve our lives to you.
Miss Woodford One OF the women
rom the Ocean View approached Ger
rude when they were safely landed on
he wharf, but Garst drew Ter aside.
Sweetheart" His voice vibrated as
he bent over her.
Mrs. Armltage turned to look after
hem, lifting an end Of her bedraggled
lannel skirt.
Well she said slowly. ''for nerve
i've me nativew-M. Louise Cum.
nins in San Francisco all.