The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-06-01
THE OFF-SHORE WIND
Whittier What Amos CrandaI Capitalist
CIV. R. Rose in Cleveland Plain Doaler)

Il rowed you out little way and
along the Shore" the girl continued.
Then | was about to turn back. and
you said you wanted to go out farther.
| called attention to the time. and you
said, Bother the time. My man can
wait | rowed out farther. No doubt
| went too far. Then the land breeze
suddenly sprang up and soon increased
to lively wind"
And you couldn't row back"
And here we are.
Eyes. And there's the island off the
point yonder"
Can you make it?"
Il think so. If the wind doesn't in
crease too fast"
He looked back little anxiously.
IT'S developing into gale" he said
STEADY"
She had turned the boat slightly and
the sudden careening startled him.
He gripped the seat firmly.
She looked up at him with a quick
smile.
Make yourself as broad as posi-
ble," she said The wind will take
YOU for a sail"
She bent to the oars. As her face
came into view he could see her white
teeth clinched behind her parted lips
She was rowing with quick, deep
strokes, and the boat helped by oars
and wind was moving fast. The island
was much nearer now, but the wind
blew harder. 1t was a pretty face, and
under other circumstances the old man
might have enjoyed it. He told him
self this, but couldn't at the moment
imagine the circumstances. He drew a
quick breath and his grip frightened
When he was a boy he could swim. But
how long ago was that?
He wished his own boy was there
no, he didn't Why should he wish
him in peril? He was a fine boy, a
splendid boy. He wondered if he had
been as kind father as he should
have been!
A dash of water came over the side
There would be a big sensation in
the great city if those rounded arms
gave out. To think that his life should
depend on the nerve and the muscles
of a mere girl-a girl of whose exis-
tence he had never known until an
hour before. What a fine girl she wasl
And there he sat qualling and quite
unable to lift finger to help her. If
she got him out of this peril he would
give her anything she could desire.
And as her face came up she threw
him a nod and a smile-a beautiful
encouraging smile. He tried to smile
back but just then the boat staggered
under a heavy puff of wind and the
water poured i'm close beside him. His
feet were covered by the water now,
and it splashed about him as the boat
rose and fell
Suddenly the girl glanced over her
shoulder. Then with a mighty pull
she drove the boat up on the sandy
beach
The girl sprang from the seat and
splashed into the water from the bow
of the boat She drew it by the rope
further up the beach and then called
to the old man.
Come" she said and held out her
hand.
He was a little cramped by long sit
ting. but he arose and hobbled tow
ard her and was helped ashore She
drew he boat still farther up the
beach, where it was safe from the
waves Then she took his hand again.
Come" she said, Tets run"
Half dragging him up the little
slope and across a level space. the
girl paused before the door of a bun
galow that stood i'm q grove of naples.
She pushed on the door and It opened
and she drew the old man in The
room they entered was simply fun-
ishcd, with q big fireplace at one side.
There was wood I'm the fireplace and
after putting the old man I'm am easy
chair the girl found matches on The
mantel and lighted the fire which
hared up merrily.
Now" said The girl. "on with those
wet shoes and .oclings. Here. lot me
help you"
No. no" he protested and fumbled
with the strings There was one that
bothered him very much until the girl,
ON her knees at his side, quickly united
Che knot
You'll be hot and steaming fin few
minutes" she said "And T1l try find
you pair Of Captain Toms slippers.
Captain Tom is sort of carotaker
here you know. Tl De back I'm % mo.
mcnt"
When she came back she had q bot
tie of currant wine She gave him the
slippers and % glass of wine and pushed
her chair n little nearer the blazing
fire. She crowded q cushion behind
his head and he nodded his thanks as
he held out his hands for the grateful
warmth lie was tired and his nerves
collapsed; the Gre was very soothing,
and the wine made him drowsy Ho