The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-02
A HELPFUL
 TANCLE
By EMMETT C. HALL
a...s a...s..*+*s**s***+***++*+s++
Iconvright, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)

boat that 1oated iauntily upon the clear water of the lake. There was in his face an amusing mixture of ad- miration proprietary pride and hesi tancy. He was quite as familiar with the operation of a launch as with animals of the early glacial pe- riod. and yet he had asked Virginia Moore to take a sail with him that very afternoon.
 Of course it would have been a sim ple matter to have secured a man from the boat club, but Ned Hazard was accustomed to do things himself and the idea of two dreamy hours alone with Virginia was too enticing to be put aside. And, any way, had not the agent fully explained the working of the motor to him?
 Hazard was the happy product of two distinct sections and environ ments, A college man, born in the east. he had gone with the first rush to Alaska, and had struck it rich. The three, long silent years under the Northern Lights had left their i'm press however. They had given quiet self-reliance, but also a remark able diffidence with women. and it was most marked in the company of Virginia. When he had gone away, he had left her a mischievous, laugh ing school girl, and when he re- turned he had found beautiful young woman and had promptly fall en entirely and completely in love.
 Had 1t not been for the three si- lent years. he would no doubt have pressed his suit with all the ardor which he had put into football in his college days, and, quite as likely Vir- ginia would have gently turned him aside As it was, he loved her with a blind devotion, the intensity of which caused him to depreciate him. self in his own mind, which so cloud ed his vision that he could not even see that Virginia evinced a most de. cided preference for his company, or that her hand trembled and her eyes fell when they met
 After his inspection of the launch Ned turned away with shrug of his broad shoulders.
 Well. anyway" he said to himself it is pretty sure to count on that the thing won't sink, even if I can't make it go and if we run on a rock, we can both swim all right"
 As he started up the path toward the hotel, he caught sight of Virginia coming toward him, and waited. The girl was smiling to herself, one of the teasing, mischievous smiles of the old days. On her arm was light shawl
 "Ahoy. captain." she called merrily, and saluted gravely.
 Hello, Vii" he answered. uncon- sciously responding to her return to the old intimacy. The cruiser is all ready-shall we put to sea-"
 Well. we will go to see, anyway she laughed. and tripped to the end of the wharf.
 "Oh, what a beauty" she exclaim- ed, delighted by the trim lines of the little craft. Tt certainly is fine, but how did you ever come to buy one, Ned?"
 "Oh, l-well, heard you say one day that you liked them, and so, of course-that is, I knew they must be nice" he stammered
 She gave him a quick look from be- meath her long lashes. but made no reply. He had pulled the boat in close and she stepped upon the little forward deck
 NOmR commanded and he followed her aboard. He cast off the line. and, fol the agents instructions. gave the fly wheel of the engine quick turn, to be rewarded by hearing the quick, strong 'pop-pop" of regular explo- sions Virginia had possessed her self of the wheel and headed the boat up the lake
 They were rather silent as the boat sped on through the clear water, winding in and out among the tiny green islands The girl seemed in- tent upon her steering, and he was content to watch her face about which little tendrils of brown curls were blowing. The bracing air had brought a bright color into her cheeks, and her eyes were sparkling. We can, go as far as the old fish ermans camp" she presently said; that is Is miles, and then get back In time for dinner"
 You are steering dear" he said and was appalled, at his daring If she noticed the term he used, she gave no sign, and he hoped devoutly that she had mt