Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1906-03-14
forl's house. watching the sunset when

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they descended. Gertrude would hare
passed on. but Jack Clifford detained
her. Unwilling as she Was, she had to
submit to an Introduction to Mrs. Ar
mitage, Stephen Garst's former fancee.
The latter turned to her at once with a
scrutinizing look. The girl was too
pretty not to be dangerous.
SIT 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. l
should hardly have though it,"
A faint color rose under the girls
skin at the supercilious zone.
Miss Woodford's forefathers settled
here over POO 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 OF us can go as far back as that"
Mrs. Armitaga 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" lie pleaded. 81 want
so much to speak 10 you tonight"
Il am afraid l must ask you to ex-
cuse me-" she said, icily.
Had Garst known thai the cold, di-
rect look which she sent i,.to his eyes
was really the outcome Of burning
jealousy. he would not have turned
away with so heavy Il 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 l am a native The
summer people might Object she said.
with a bitter little smile, and Garst
set his heel mt, the ground as he list
ened.
Wien they reached the wharf Ge--
trude turned to Jack Clifford.
"Old Captain Lufkin is sick and
can't go, the boy tells me-" she said
quickly. Il think we had better give
up the trip
Miss Woodford"-Jack looked at her
with mock reproach-''I 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 one when they had left the
little harbor and she noted the darken-
ing horizon.
Mrs. Armitage was sitting neal
Garst, beautiful in her soft white fan
mel yachting suit. After half an hours
sailing Gertrude crossed 10 where Jack
Clifford sat at the helm, thus bringing
herself on Garst's other side.
DO put back she whispered to
Clifford. I'VE are going Il have Il
squall. and a bad one"
After a critical glance at the sky
Jack put tie boats head aroxnd. But
as he did so q cold blast. which
as the foreboding of coming i'll.
shivered over them. Gertrude drew
her breath hard. She alone knew what
the wind would be when it struck
them.
Suddenly, as if she had received a
mortal blow. the Widgeon went over
over until her mainsail lay almost leve,
on the water. With a 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 me-"
But in hat moment when 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
lace. Gertrude scarcely cared wleth-
er it was life OF death.
Then h suddenly wrencled herself
free and flung her weight upon the til
ler, 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 a frightened
thing with Tapping sails while the
squall raced by.
Il think We owe our lives to YOU.
Miss Woodford." 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 vihrated as
he bent over her.
Mrs. Armitage turned to look after
them, lifting an end of. her bedraegled
flannel skirt.
Well" she said slowly. "for nerve
give me a native!'-M. Louise Cum
minis. in San Francisco talk
Fivo NilJi0nc Eou &c.,