Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-03-01
IA6RNlHM zAM5M

of another persons pros y--particu-
'larly a person so wholly pleasing to
the eye.
81 believe-I believe that is my pad.
de" she said, little timidly / thought.
and yet with definiteness.
looked down and found to my an
noyance that held her paddle in my
hand,-was in fact leaning upon 1t
with a cool air of proprietorship.
again, beg your pardon" | said.
81 hadn't expected"
She eyed me calmly, with the stare
OF the child that arrives at drawing.
room door by mistake and scrutinizes
the guests without awe. / didn't know
what l had expected or had not expect
ed, and she manifested no intention OF
helping me to explain Her short skirt
suggested Is OF 16-not more--and
such being the case there was no rea-
son why I should not be master of the
situation. AS | fumbled my pipe he
hot Goals Of tobacco burned my hand
and | cast the thing from me.
She laughed a little, then caught
herself and gravely watched the pipe
bound from the dock into the water.
TOO bad!" she said, her eyes upon
It; but if you hurry you may get il
before it floats away"
Thank you for the suggestion"
said. But l did not relish the idea Of
kneeling on the dock to fish for a pipe
before a strange school girl who was,
felt sure, anxious to laugh at me.
She took step toward the line by
which her boat was fastened.
ALLOW me-"
If you think you can,-safely," she
said; and the laughter that lurked in
her eyes annoyed me.
"The feminine knot is designed for
the confusion of man." | observed,
twitching vainly at the rope, which
was tied securely in unfamiliar loops.
She was singularly unresponsive.
The thought that she was probably
laughing at my clumsiness did not
make my fingers more nimble.
THE nautical Instructor at St.
Agatha's is undoubtedly a woman.
This knot must come in the POSTCARD
uate course, But my gallantry is
equal, | trust, to your patience"
The maid in the red tam-o'-shanter
Continued silent. The wet rope was
obdurate, the knot more and more
hopeless, and my efforts to make light
! Of the situation awakened no response
in the girl. tugged away at the rome.
attacking its talgle on various the.
cries.
"A case for surgery. I'm afraid. A
truly gordian knot, but l haven't my
knife"
ooh, but you wouldn't" she ex.
claimed. 81 think I can MANAGE"
she bent down. was aware that
the. sleeve Of her jacket brushed nv
shoulaer-se!zed an end that / had
ignored, gave it sharp tug with A
slim, brown hand and pulled the knot
free.
g, There" she exclaimed with a little
laugh; L might have saved You all
the bother"
How dull of me! But didn't have
the combination" said, steadying the
canoe carefully to mitigate the ignom.
my of my failure.
She scorred the hand extended,
but embarked with light, confident
step and took the paddle. II was grow
Ing late. The shadows in the wood
were deepening; a chill crept over the
water, and. beyond the tower of the
chapel, the sky was bright with the
glory Of sunset.
With a few skillful strokes she
brought her little craft beside my
pipe. which she deity caught on the
paddle blade and tossed to the wharf.
is Perhaps you can pipe a tune upon
It. she said, dipping the paddle.
. You put me under great obliga-
tons" | declared Are all the girls
ct St Agatha's as amiable?"
Il shouldn't say so! I'm a great ex.
ception,-and-I really shouldn't be
talking to you at all It's against the
rulesi And we don't encourage smok.
ing"
THE chaplain doesn't smoke, I SUD
pose"
Not in chapel; l believe it isn't
done! And We rarely see him any.
where else"
she mad idled with the paddle SO
Tar. but now she lifted her eyes and
drew back the blade for a long stroke,
"Rut in the wood,-this morning
by the WALL"
l hate myself to this day for having
GO startled her The poised blade
Q dropped into the water with a splash:
she, brought the canoe a trife neare,
to the wharf with an almost imper.
ceptible stroke, and turned toward me
With wonder and dismay in her eyes.
so you are an eayesdropper and de
tectiVe, are you? 1 beg that you will
give your master my compliments!
really owe you an apology, | thought
you were gentleman" she exclaimed
with whitening emphasis, and dipped
her blade deep In flight
called, stammering incoherently
after her, but her light argosy skinned