The Democratic advocate., 1909-06-04
THE OFF-SHORE WIND.
WHITTIER and to What it Blew Amos
crandaII, Capitalist.
tw. R. Rose in Cleveland Plain Dealer.)

Nc 6iIl btODpeu towing ana looked
back at the old man. He had been
watching her with some anxiety. He
noted that the boat was making little
headway. despite her steady efforts.
Its no use,' she said.
He stirred nneasily.
Il must get back to Shore" he said.
The girl studied the sky and shook
her head.
You can't get back until this of
shore wind changes" she said AT
least ] can't row you there
He looked up eagerly.
Cant you signal the people ashore? +?
I'm sure they would send for me-
We are too far west OF the blum to
be seen from the landing place"
The old man groaned
This Is too bad he muttered. II
was a fool to get mysel into this pre-
dicament."
Il am going about said the girl
STEADY. Perhaps you can help trim
the boat"
The irm hands grasped the oars.
the rounded arms swelIed With
fine display Of skill the girl turned
the boat, and while IL listed danger
ously for moment she brought IL
about safely and let II run with the
wind.
Where are you going,r demanded
the old man. out 20 sea7n
She looked up at him and smiled.
No" she answered Not II can
help IL. There is an island or the
point yonder. You'il see It presently.
II is directly In our pathway"
He was silent for a moment and the
girl, rowing easily, kept the boat be-
fore the wind
The air was warm and pleasant. al
though the wind blew strong. II was
an August day and the sun shone from
a cioudless sky. Little white crested
ripples ran across the land-locked bay
Dnd outside, against the far horizon
line. smoke trailing steamer was
passing.
The old man, dark frown on his
grinkicd face, watched the girl. She
vas a fine young woman. there was
no doubt Of that lie had been pre-
iudicei strongly preiudlced against
girls Of the athletic type. bui some.
how this giri didn't seem 10 lose her
feminine charm even IL her arms we're
strong nnd her hands firm
Who is 10 blame for all thlsT" he
suddenly demanded.
The girl. bending over the oars.
softly laughed
= very ohcerfully leave that to you"
she answered
y am not a man who ahiFka re-
apon8ibllitics be said. n came down
10 the dock hocAuHc ] had little time
% XIII The man I wanted Ia meet
had gone somewhere across the inlet
think they sRid--and he would not
be back for an hour. I came down
io the dock and RaH you padding
about spoke 10 you I'll admit I
admired the way you handled the
oars. Perhaps ! regarded you as I
would regard a skilled boalmnn-onl
little more so. Anyway. ! spoke 10
sou"
Tho girl laughed softly.
You had forgotten the story Of the
l.orelci,' she said.
Anyway. l WAS Youg he growlrd
II gas something ! shouldn't have
done ! asked you a question or two
You answered iRtslliRrntiy. You ank. I
ed me u ! would enjoy a ride on tho
wn;er ! looked AZ my watch, had I
forts minutes 30 spare. | stepped In
20 yoUr boat That's where the blame
Is yours
She opened her eyes a little
Why"
Am person sou have ever metz" Z
she shook her hcnd
10 you expect 20 evcg meet me
asaing
ahe shook her head ones more
Don't you know II A eFona 20 D.,
loo free with etfauEaFg ~
She laughed marrily SIZE certainly
4ad an attractive face
Aren't YOU little hakty iu your
reference 10 tic freedom of tho M
.aiFF EbF demanded. How DO sou
know that do not raW this boat
about that harbor for the bread and
,utter ] reanirn7 You have no ranaon
% think that am not charging YOU
- cents an hour with the FUN deter.
nination Of adding To Il and soliciting
You may charge any thing you
lease. be- rctorted Only get mr
ishoreT Il
"sgi you must not blame me for
hts predlcament," said the girl Ynu
'Ame to tho dock and looked al inv
'oat luHElugly. You asked ne some
lp 4 very friendly way. Out
y the goodness Of ms heart / invited
ou 10 enjoy & ride. You accented
he invitation readily You seemed
cry much pleased
She waited for him to utter a pro.
est
Go on. be said. Il admit il an. /
vas pleased
1 rowed you out little way aud /
long the shore, the girl continued. I
Then ! was about TO turn back. and
GU said You wanted 10 90 out farther
called attention TO the time. aud you !
aid. Bother the time. Ny fnan can
iait- ] rowed out farther. No doubtf /
went too far Then the land breeze /
uddenly sprang up aud soon increas-
Z 70 q lively Wind
Aud you couldn't row back" d
And here we are" 4
Yes. And there's the island on /
he point yonder" Z
Can YOU make ~" n
u think so IL the wind doesn't In o
rease too fast" a
He looked back little anxiousiy. d
It's developing into a gale, ,"he said. 1
Steady q
She had turned the boat slightly and +
ie sudden careening startled him. K
e gripped the seat firmly. I
She looked up az him with a quick d
nile. Il
Make yourself as broad as possi- a
e, she said The wind will take 0
ou for a sail" o
She bent to the oars As her face o
ime into view he could see her white Il
eth clinched behind her parted lips. n
ne was rowing with quick, deep 81
rokes, and the boat helped By oars Ii
I'd wind was moving fast. The island
as much nearer now, but the wind