The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-02-14

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tender little mouth took on a droop
that made Bray long to kiss 1t. She
did not speak for a few minutes. but
looked past the oarsman with eyes
that did not see the glorious autumnal
panorama. The banks turned a blur
of green and yellow and red through
the tears that had come unbidden.
Presently she stretched out her hand
with IL little appealing gesture. Please
don't ask an answer now" she said
gently. Don't spoil the morning-my
last row. Perhaps tonight
Bray bowed gravely and bent to the
oars, finding in the work a vent for
the tension within. He fancicd that
he had already received an answer.
and rs he bent his back to the oars so
also he bent his head to defeat. AL
most before they realized it the boat
had reached the head Of the inlet and
had grated gently on the sand.
Lets drift back" proposed Dolly.
1T will give you Il chance to rest"
ObedientIy Bray pulled back into the
channel and unshipped the oars. Then
he moved forward one seat. and as
they foated with the tide he tried TO
set Dolly at her ease with small talk.
So engrossed did they become in their
conversation that they never noticed
that they were drifting into trouble
until with IL bump the boat settled
against the railroad bridge that span
ned the water. A sharp wind was
blowing. and it had forced them out OF
their course.
Bray sprang for an oar to pole back
into the channel. In his excitement he
was less careful than usual. When he
gave a lunge for the oar. he felt his
footing shift us the fiat bottolned boat
tipped to one side. The next instant
he felt the shock of cold water.
Dolly CAV a shrek as he went over
board. but the e. instant her terrol
was turned to mirth at the sight of
Bray sitting in two feet Of water with
an expression of startled wonder On
his face.
1t was only for a second that the
tablcau was posed; then Bray scram-
bled to his feet and climbed back into
the boat. His trousers chung wetly to
his legs. and the b%edraggled edges of
his coat dripped against the seat. while
with chattering teeth he got out the
oars and began to row for the shore.
Try as she would Dolly could not re-
strain her mirth at the sorry spectacle
he presented, and Bray good naturally
Joined in her merriment.
But 1t was less Of a joke when the
house was reached. The men of the
family had all removed their clothing
to town when the cottage had been
closed for the summer. Bray, down
for the day. had brought no bags, and
there was nothing left but to seek the
shelter Of the blankets while his
clothes underwent the slow process OF
drying before the kitchen fire. :.
Between the blankets Bray groancd
m%iserably as he recalled the incidents
of the morning. Whatever chance he
might have had to win Dolly's hand
had been lost when his plight excited
her ridicule. The single misstcp had
cost him Dolly's YES" If indeed he
had eve had Il chance to win it. In
his minds eye he could see himself
again, sprawling in the icy water. then
climbing aboard in his mudstained,
dripping garments, with Dolly in the
stern seat in as ecstasy of glee. 1t was
u bitter hour for Bray. and he well
coined the arrival of the cook with q
tray.
Miss Dolly, she say eat this and you
kin have a nice DESERT advised Aunt
Mandy. "She say you doan get the
dessert till you Gated all the dinner"
There was a dish of pudding OF the
tray, and, lost in wonder as to what
the other dessert might be, Bray rap
idly cleaned his plate. Then Mandy
entered bearing 4 covered dish. Only
an envelope lay under the cover. and
Bray's heart beat fast as he read the
few lines.
You dear boy" Dolly wrote. My
answer is Yes l think l have always
liked you best. but l was afraid Of
your very perfection. l thought that |
could never attain your high standard,
but you looked so deliciously human in
the water that l knew ut that instant
that l loved you. AS soon as your
clothes are dry (and they are drying
fast, you may come down and receive
q verification in person"
1nek Eo,nd q Cau1