The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1907-08-28
Out Of the
Channel.
BY LYLE WARD sANDERsoN.
copxrighted. 1907, by Q. H. sutollns.

| wind ana TWIST OF LneH. a ud1y
wish fioated through his mind that
they might never end. He would like
| to go on forever, hearing the tap Of
her little feet on the iron behind him.
feeling her hand touch his shoulder ey-
cry now and then when she grew a
bit dizzy with the curve.
The fact was Mr.. Kesler's sense Of
proportion had been rather unsettled
since the night before. Then Marion.
In that strange, Illogical way girls
have and in spite of her aunt's skill
| full, contrary maneuvers, had made the
obtuse Mr.. Harvey understand that
she was not overwhelmed with delight
at his invitation to try his new electric
launch and within the same five min
utes had promised Kesler to visit the
light with him, ''even If we have to go
In a dory."
1t had been somewhat hard for Mr..
Kesler when he came down to the
cape on his short vacation to find his
old playmate absorbed by the wealthy
Mr.. Harvey. 1t was true that Marion
did not appear very happy, but her
aunt certainly seemed at peace with
all the world and made an extremely
willing chaperon on the many trips
which that gentleman was constantly
planning This had been Keslers first
chance.
After thanks and farewells to the
old captain. Kesler guided his eompan-
ion down the steep path to the little,
pebbly beach, where their boat await
al T. hlIf
gay little pleasure craft, bright with
many cushions. Kesler helped Marion
in, feeling a keen regret that he could
not put her into the handsomest launch
on the coast.
Therewas no hint of regret in Marion's
face as she picked up the rudder ropes
and the boat swung off. The sun was
warm, but the breeze, filed with the
tang Of the sea, blew the girls bright
hair about her face and brought a
sparkle to her brown eyes.
"And over the sea lies Spain," sang
the girl happily.
you'd like to visit the old world,
wouldn't you, Marion? You must go
some day." said Kesler, wondering
how he would feel if he should know
that Harvey and Marion were journey
ing about Europe together.
"Some day." repeated the girl softly,
her dark eyes dreaming, then smiling
into his. She was quite willing to
push everything but the present mo-
ment into the indefinite future.
The man hesitated a moment, then
said, with a note of entreaty in his
voice: May 1 row you over to Tur-
bets creek before we go back? It's
such a quaint, Dutchy little place, with
Its old wharfs and fishermen's houses,
that 1 want to see 1t again. You know
my vacation ends tomorrow"
Marion's face suddenly flushed till 1t
was the deep pink of the wild roses
that grew along the shore.
I'D love to go with you," she an
swered, "only-well, you see, after all
aunt told Mr.. Harvey he might take
US out In his launch at 8, and she'll be
much displeased If am not at home"
"Oh, 1 see," said Merton Kesler
then"
His mouth suddenly became a
straight line. He began to pull with
long even strokes. Harvey can give
her everything in the world" he
thought, with remorse and some bit
terness, "and he is a very decent fell
low besides-aside from being a snOb.
If ever a girl was born for riches she
was. What right have 1 to ask her to
share my mean little salary? It's a
good thing my vacation is nearly over;
1 might say something foolish and
make her unhappy. But, oh, may she
not smile at me again before we reach
the farther side of the little bay"
"The tide is running out fast" said
Marion, looking down through the clear
water to the yellow sands.
well strike the channel soon," re-
turned Kesler, pulling himself to-
gether with an effort. 81 can never
tell exactly where it is when the wind
roughs the whole bay. Great day for
sailing. Wish we had a yacht, Ma
RON"
"Oh, like this little boat fully as
WELL" declared the girl contendedly.
then suddenly cried Its growing shall
low, sailor boy; look out?'
Kesler's oars stopped In the air.
That was the name she had called him
when. as children, they had built
many dream ships together.
The oars made a savage swoop into
the water, the boat shot half its length
ahead, then stopped with a jerk, its
nose buried in the sand.
"Great Scott, we've struck on the
fats! Jerk up the rudder, Marion,
while push her OFF. Then, after an
unavailing effort: Its a mercy this
oar Is stout. No, don't push. child;
sit still"
But the tide Is just racing out"
objected Marion, while all of the
mans efforts simply caused the OBJ
stinate little craft to grind deeper into
the sand
Wrath and modification struggled
on Kesler's face. Its bad enough to
have to take the princess out in a
mean little rowboat," he broke out
''but to shore her on a sand bank and
not be able to pull her off Is absolute
disgrace"
From far up the bay came the sound
of distant putting. and Kesler. glancing
up, had the pleasure of seeing a new,
shining launch coming rapidly down
the channel toward the stranded boat.
Still Juggling and pulling Intellectually.
he turned angrily to the astonished
girl
Your aunt will be pleased to find
you here, Marion. Good heavens, why
did you ever come off with me? You
ought to be in that launch this minute. |
You don't belong here"-his wrath
poured out on her-''you love luxury;
you know you love 1t like a cat. Har-
vey's not good enough for you; mo-
body is. I'm not. He wants you. OF |
course l want you many times more. j
but you're crazy to come of with |
me. He'll be angry and twill serve |
Won RIGHT I'm Cning to signal when |