Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-18

hau no more notlon OF DuylnS 1fuI tnan
of buying an aeroplane. Ten minutes ago
You and I had never met. Yet here we
are, you and I and the luscious four. And
there is Peter. sailing master. cook and
general factotem of the Nancy cutter.
Don't you think Peters wooden leg in
duces trust? He calls 1t prop. which
suggests both moral and physical support.
By the way; have you ever noticed that
wooden-legged men are invariably fat?
And Caesar vouched for the integrity of
fat men"
Though the girl began to find his chat
ter agreeable, she was secretly diSmayed
when she compared the gigantic Peter
with the diminutive dinghy. She had
never before seen so broad man or SO
small boat. But she had grit and was
unwilling to voice her doubt,
"Will 1t hold us?' she inquired with
apparent unconcern.
"Oh. yes. When Peter was a pilot that
little craft carried him and his two mates
through many heavy sea. Don't be
afraid. We viii put you safely on board
the Sans Souci. Now, you sit there and
hold the bag. I'll take my two at once.
please. as I find room forrard.'
Not much of a breeze for cruisin'. Mr..
Warden" grinned Peter. casting an ap-
preciative eye over the latest addition to
the Nancy's muster roll.
worse luck" said Warden. 1.-THE young
lady wishes to reach that big yacht
moored abreast Of the cutter So give
way. heart Of oak! Thou vert chris
tened stone, yet good name is rather to
be chosen than great riches"
Peter wfnked solemnly at the fair I'M
known.
HE do go on. don't he. miss?" he said.
The girl nodded. for ripe peach is an
engrossing fruit. She was enjoying her
little adventure. 1t savored Of romance.
Already her slight feeling Of nervousness
"A Tf, n
hoped that Mr.. Warden might prove to
be friend Of the Baumgartners.
Under Peters powerful strokes the
dinghy sped rapidly into the open waters
but slight stir in the roadstead. Every
body af1oat seemed to be eating. Each
launch and yacht they passed held a
luncheon party beneath awnings or in a
deck saloon. Through the golden stiffness
came the pleasant notes of band play
ing in the grounds Of the clubhouse. A
bugle sounded faint and shrill from the
deck of a distant warship. Sitting in this
cockleshell Of q craft so near the glisten-
ing water that one might trail both hands
in it, was vastly agreeable after a long
journey by rail and steamer. From sea
level the girl obtained an entirely differ
ent picture Of Cowes and the Solent from
that glimpsed from the throbbing ferry
the wooded hills and clusters Of houses to
have sunk bodily. Already the shore was
curiously remote. A sense Of brooding
peace fell on her like mantle. She
sighed and wondered why she was SO
content
habits seemed to have cast spell on
their tongues. For fully five minutes no
one spoke. The wondrous silence was
broken only by the rhythmical clank Of
the oars. the light plash. of the boat
movement. the strains Of waltz from
the castle lawn and the musical laughter
Of women from the yachts.
Owing to the shortness OF the dinghy.
and the fact that the girl faced Warden.
with Peter intervening. the two younger
people were compelled to look at each
other occasionally. The man saw a sweet
junction of myosotis blue eyes and purple
eyelaslles, and crowned with a mass Of
dark brown hair. Accent. manner and
attire bespoke good breeding. She was
dressed well. though simply, In blue can
vas. Being somewhat Of an artist. he did
not fail to note that her hat. blouse,
gloves and boots. though probably mex
pensive, harmonized in brown tints She
was young, perhaps twenty-five. Guess
ing at random, he imagined her the
daughter Of some country rector. and,
from recent observation Of the Baum
gartners, eked out by their public repute,
he admitted certain sentiment of sur
prise that such blatant parvenus should
be on her visiting list.
For her part, the girl had long since
discovered that her self-appointed guide
was an army man. West Africa gave a
hint of foreign service that was borne
out by paleneSs beneath the tan Of the
yachtsman. A regimental mess. too. is a
university In itself. comforting a we'll de-
fined tone, a subtle distinctiveness. Each
line OF his sinewy frame told Of drill. and
his rather stern face was eloquent Of one
accustomed to command.
These professional hall marks were not
lost on her. She had mixed in circles
where they were recognized. And she
was prepared to like him. In her wom-
ans phrase, she thought it was mice Of
him" not to question her. She was quite
sure that X they met again ashore that
Of renewing or dropping their acquaint-
anoe as She thought fit. Yet. for one so
ready Of speech after the first awkward
moment outside the steamer pier. it was
surprising that he should now be SO tact
turn.
ly to the purpose Of their expedition.
THAT is the San Souci,' he said. point
ing to large white yacht in the distance.
"A splendid vessel. Built on the Clyde,
I believer
LAY. three hunnerd tons, an good for
ten knots In any or'nary sea-" put in
"You know her. Of courser' went on
Warden.
mo. I have never before set eyes on
her."
well. you will enjoy your visit all the
more. perhaps. From last nights indica-
lions you should have plenty Of amuse-
ment on board"
Are there many people there, them"
II am not sure. The owners gave a
big dinner party yesterday. The launch
was coming and going at all hours
What is that?" she asked, inconse-
quently. indicating with glance a small
round object bobbing merrily westward
some few yards away.
1T is difficult to say. Looks like a
hoat broken loose from a fishing net.'
said Warden.
NO. sir. it amt that" pronounced
Peter. Nets have corks an buoys, an
that amt neither"
You may think it absurd cried the
girl, yet fancied just now that I caught
a resemblance to a face, distorted black
face: but it has turned round"
The boatman lay on his oars. and they
all looked at the dancing yellow ball
hurrying to the open sea.
ITO be continued tOmorroW.l