Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-02-23
LA PLATA, MARYLAND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2s 1906


A faint color rose under the girls
skin at the supercilious .o1e.
Miss Woodford's forefathers settled
here over 200 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. Armitage 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
"One moment, he pleaded II want
so much to speak 10 you tonight"
Il am afraid I must ask you TO ex-
cuse me" she said. ieily.
Had Garst known thai the cold, li-
rect look which she sent into his eyes
was really the outcome of burning
Jealousy. he would not have turned
away with so heavy a heart.
Jack Clifford had hard work TO per-
suade her TO accompany them on the
yachting party arranged for the next
morning,
You forget that am native The
summer people might object, she said.
with bitter little smile, aud Garst
set his heel int the ground as he list
ened.
When they reached the wharf Ger
trude turned to Jack Clifford
"oid Captain Lufkin is sick and
can't go, the boy tells me-" she said
quickly. u think we had better give
up the trip
Miss Woodford"-Jack looked at her
with mock reproach-sl am panied that
you should thus undervalue my yachts.
manship. Nothing but patriotic feeling
prevented my offering my expert serv.
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'harboI and she noted the darken-
ing horizon.
Mrs. Armitage was sitting near
Garst. beautiful in her soft white fan.
mel yachting suit After half an hours
sailing Gertrude crossed to where Jack
Clifford sat at the helm, thus bringing
herself on Garsts other side.
DO put back she whispered to
Clifford. We are going to have a
squell. and a bad one.
After critical glance at the sky
Jack put tie boats head around. But
even as he did so cold blast, which
was as the foreboding of coming i'll,
shiyered over them. Gertrude drew
her breath hard. She alone knew what
the wind would be when it struck
them.
Suddenly. as II she had received a
mortal blow, the widgeon went over
over until her mainsail lay almost level
on the water. With horrible hungry
suggestive hiss the sea rose over the
combings 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 met
But in that moment ~AeD death
seemed upon them he was not even
aware 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-
er it was life or death.
Then she suddenly wrenched herself
free and flung her weight upon the til
Ter, put it hard TO port, for Jacks anna
teur skill seemed to have deserted him.
The Widgeon came round, shuddering,
into the wind. and lay like frightened
thing with Tapping sails while the
squall raced by,
Il think we owe our lives to you,
Miss Woodf0rd." One of the women
from the Ocean View approached Ger
trude when they were safely landed on
the wharf. but Garst drew Ler aside.
Sweetheart" His voice vibrated as
he bent over her.
Mrs. Armitage turned to look after
them, lifting an end of her bedraggled
flannel skirt.
Well she said slowly. "for nerve
give me a natiyer-M, Louise Cum.
minis. in San Francisco all.