Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-02-26

cOtS-S- D.tllS ucW JAIN anu W.
score; Of graceful. eager hands a
mo!ce-t o. two passed when no Oaiis
came her way She turned ana wa!Ged
70 the foot of dune aud seated DeE'
cell cross legged OH the hot sand her
seriors. beautiful eyes fixed steadily
on Il distant white spot-the sponsor
canoe where Gladys and Selwyn SAT
their paddle blades flashing IN the sun
How far away they were! Gerald
WAS with them. Curious that SelWyn
had not seen her waiting for nm.
knee deep III the surf-curious that ne
had seen Gladys instead. True, Giadys
had called TO him and signaled MIN.
white arm upflung Gladys was very
pretty-with her heavy, dark halr ana
melting, Spanish eyes and her soft!y
rounded, olive skinned fgnrc. Gladys
had called to him, ana she had not.
That was true, and lately for the last
few days or perhaps more-she her
self had been a trihe less Hlpulsive In
her greeting of Selwyn-.i little Jess
sans facon with him. Afte: III. man
comes when it pleases h!m. ny
should Il girl call him-unless she-un
less-unleSS--
Perplexed, her grave eyes were fixed
on the sea where now the white canoe
pitched nearer, close on now.
When the canoe suddenly capsiZed,
Gladys jumped, but Selwyn went WITH
It. boat and man tumbling into the
tumult over and over. As Eileen looked
she saw dark streak leap across his
face-saw him stoop and wash 1t OH
and stand, looking blindly about. while
again the sudden dark line crisscrossed
his face from temple to chin and
spread wider like stain.
Philip she called. springing 70 her
feet and scarcely knowing that she had
spoken
He heard her and came toward her
In hating, dazed way. stopping
twice TO cleanse his face Of the bright
blood that streaked il.
It's nothing" re said "The infer
nal thing bit me- Oh. don't use that.
rs she drenched her kerchief in cold
sea water and held i toward him with
both hands.
Take it, II beg OF you" she SIAM
mered us it s-serious:
why, no." he said. his senses clear.
ing. 1T was only rap on the head
and this blood Is merely nuisance
Thank you; will use your kerchiet If
you insist. It'll stop in moment any
way"
please sit here" she said-"here
where I've been sitting"
He did so. muttering: What nui
sance! 1t will stop in second. You
needn't remain here with me, you
know. Go in. II is simply glorious.
1--WE beer in. l was drying my
hair."
He glanced up, smiling; then, as the
wet kerchief against his forehead red
dened, be started to rise. but she took
it from his fingers, fastened to the
waters edge, rinsed it and brought 1t
back cold and wet.
Please sit perfectly STILL" she said
a girl likes to do this sort Of thing
for man."
IF I'd known that" lie laughed.
"1'd have had it happen frequently
She only shook her head, watching
him unsmiling But the pulse III her
had become very quiet again.
IFS no end of fun in that canoe" he
observed. GLADYS Orchil and ] work
it beautifully"
81 cav you did," she nodded.
ooh. Where were youf Why didn't
you Gomez
81 don't know Gladys called you.
| was waiting for you-expecting you
Then Gladys called YOU"
Il didn't see you," he said.
~ didn't call you," she observed Sc
renely, and after moment she added,
"Do you see only those who hall you.
Captain SelwynP
He laughed. "In this lfes cruise a
good sailor always answers a friendly
hail"
80 do L." she said please hail me
after this-because don't care to take
the initiative. If you neglect to DO it.
don't count on my hailing you any
more
The stain spread on the kerchief.
Once more she went to the waters
edge. rinsed it and returned with it
II think it has almost stopped bleed
ing" she remarked as he laid the cloth
against his forehead. you frightened
me, Captain Selwyn. am not easily
frightened"
81 know it."
did you know was frightened"
"Of course l did"
"Oh," she said, vexed, ''how could
YOU know it? | didn't do anything
silly, did ~
NO: you very sensibly called me
Philip. That's how | knew you were
frightened"
A slow, bright color stained face and
neck.
80 was silly, after ALL" she said.
biting at her under lip and trying to
meet his humorous gray eyes with IN
concern. But her face was burning
now, and, aware of it, she turned her
gaze resolutely on the sea, Also, to |
her further annoyance, her heart awoke. |
beating unwarrantab!y, absurdly, until |
the dreadful idea seized her that he
could hear it, Disconnected, she stood |
up--a straight. youthful figure against |
the sea. The wind, blowing her d. |
sheveled hair across her cheeks and |
shoulders fintfprnd her clinCinr skirts |