The Port Gibson reveille., 1908-01-16

Out Of the Race.
BIZ HrLDA JAMES.

or doubles, as the race cdAleu AOl-
Nita Powell's boat was conspicuous
among them all, principally because
Nita's had been the champion record
holder of the season. 1t was called
"The Brownie, because of its color,
and the girl loved it as any one else
might love a dog or cat.
She sat in it now as it lay rocking
at its moorings, and looked at her
mother with an anxious face.
do you think she'll Gomez" she
asked.
"Of course, dear! Adelaide is tired
of the seashore and when Adelaide is
tired there is no delay"
which means that she'll come in
time to enter for the race, and l will
have to lend The Brownie because
she's company. That will leave me
out entirely; it's too bad Adelaide is
always such an uncomfortable per-
son"
perhaps the train may be delayed,
said Lester, hopefully. He was rock
ing in the boat beside his sister.
mo such lucki" groaned Nita.
Look through the trees; there she
comes! Oh, nanny, don't make me
give up the boat; do want this race
SO badly" and Nita clasped her hands.
"WeIl trust to Adelaide's generos-
ity." and Mrs. Powell turned to wei
come the pretty girl in boating fan
nels who came running across the
lawn, both hands outstretched.
80 glad to see you, auntie; heard
of the race on the way from the sta
ton, so l got ready the minute /
reached the house. do hope I'm not
not late. 1 hear it's ladies' single
Jump out, Nita, you fairy, and let
your big cousin bring the Brownie to
glory"
81 am entered for that race" said
Nita doggedly.
"Oh, that's all right, so long as the
Brownie wins. I'll pull her through.
have no fear. Hurry up, dear, see
the signal boat making its way to the
judges stand"
''But. Adelaide" interpesed Mrs.
Powell
ooh. | know, auntie. I'm not bit
overheated, I'll be careful Of catching
cold. Now then, youngster-" and
taking Nita's hand in her own firm
grip, she pulled her in playful fash
ion out of the boat, while she herself
stepped lightly in and seized the>oars
'Tm going over to headquarters to
enter my name among the contest
ants" she said, unfastening the paint
er. Thanks, Nita, for the boat. I'm
so glad l got here in time" and she
pulled away with long, beautiful
strokes, leaving poor Nita half cry,
ing on the dock.
Lester turned away with sympathy
too deep for words; he hated to SCI
his little sister imposed upon. Mrs
Powell bent over her fancy work. Nj
Ia was a great Pet, and her sorrows
were family affairs.
Nita stood in silence for a moment
hghting her tears, then she turnet
abruptly from the dock and mad
straight for the woods where she coult
eight it out alone" on a fayorit
grass-grown rock she knew of. Her
she threw herself down, and buriel
her face in her hands, not needing tn
/ swish of oars in the water below.
Steps behind her made her rails
her tear-stained face to encounter tn
glance of shy, awkward boy, VIII
stood looking at her in amaZemeni
This was Jim Evans, who was calle
: by the young people the deaf an
; dumb boy from the fact that he ha
, never been known to make remar
and never seemed to heed what wa
going on about him. Even friendly NJ
Ia had failed to drag from him nor
5 than a monosyllable at a time. Nov
S she sat and stared at him and for ono
3 her tongue was tied.
"Helio!' said Jim, what's the ma
ter? Did you walk here? Where's you
boat?" He fred the questions as
they were gunshot, but the mention {
: her boat sent poor Nita of again.
l "The Brownies g-gone?" she sobbe
: Broke loose? Whereabouts? 1t
h time you were at the starting point
"T'm out of-of-the race. Ad,
ladies come. She's she's-my cousi
i and-and-' Nita could go no furthe
e "Oh. / say''-Jim grasped the sit
d alton; then he looked at his watch;
: you've ten minutes to steady you
/, self" he remarked. Your nose
red"
). '1t don't matter out here on Il
, rocks"
"But you're not going to stay her
4 you're going to show grit, thous
+ yau can't do it with red nose.
/. "And no boats.
: "There's mine" said Jim Evans.
Nita jumped. II there was a bo
Il better than the Brownie it was jim
n Swan.
! She clasped her hands, but looked
D him in doubt.
IS Jim nodded, and pointed to whe
the pretty thing lay hugging the shol
sT wouldn't trust her to every on'
: he said. ''but won't see you done Q
e Of this race. Perhaps the water W
e help it," he added. pointing to the
II Tending nose.
Nita laughed as she ran down
the shore There she made a spon