Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-27

melted into it. Under her well-worn
and business-like hat, her face shines
out with a fresh and dazzling beauty
which elicts many a murmur of adj
miration from the fsherwives, wboi
stand hand on hips watching her. All
unconscious of her beauty and their
admiration, she leans forward, with
one knee on the seat, and both bands
grasping the helm, her clear, brown
eyes fyed on the place where Hal, all
impotence to embark and get away
is Jumping from rock to rock ana
VIII sting vigorously,
Old Griffin stands in the water.
sucking at his short pipe, and cycling
the Tapping sails with profound
gravity.
It is an unusual thing for the Nancy
Bell to remain chained to the land;
once her keel is wet, it is generally
rush and away, with the salt water
clipping from her bows.
"Jeannei" shouted Hal, who had
leaped up to one of the large bowlf.
ers to scan the cliff road, 'he went
come! Of all the beastly nuisances-"
Come aboard then" says Jeanne,
calmly. but with shade of disap-
pointment in her eyes. Come, Hal"
Hal trots across the sands reluc-
family, and old Griffin prepares TO
take him on his back, when a stall
wart figure is seen leaplng from
bowlder to bowlder, and Vernon vane
arrives.
ooh, here he Isl" cried Hal, waving
his hat over Griffin's head. Il thought
you weren't coming, sir. Didn't we,
Jeanne? You'll have TO get on Grit
fms back, Mr.. yane.
Il think not" is the quiet response,
and without moments hesitation he
splashes through the shallow water
and springs on board.
Then, as Jeanne is about to remon-
1 strate. she sees that he wears pair
i Of fisherman's long boots, and that he
has donned a jersey and WOODEN
cap; in fact, that as far as costume
/ goes, he is one of the fishermen
themselves.
Halls delight at this business-like
get.up is so extreme that he gives
vent to it boylike.
why, Mr.. Yane, you look as If you
had been born and bred in herring.
boat! didn't think you were used to
sailing! Where did you get those
clothes from?"
Vernon Vane smiles good-naturedly.
Suppose / stole them from one OF
the cabins" he says. Then he says
20 Jeanne:
Il am so sorry to have kept you,
but I had letter to write"
1T doesn't matter in the least"
says Jeanne. II hope you will enjoy
your SAIL"
Il am sure to-" he says, and then
he goes to the ropes and handles
them with the air of one accustomed
to the work. the sail spreads out like
a heron's wing the hawser comes
rafting through the eleats, and the
Nancy Bell is off like a bird on the
wing.
| With a cry of delight. Hal squats In
the bottom of the boat.
Shall manage the sail, or will
you, Mr.. Vane?" he asks.
Il will. if you viii trust me" re.
plies Vernon Vane, looking around al
Jeanne. All her eyes are for the
!, clear sky and the line of cliffs, but she
i chances at him doubtfully, ba' there Is
someth ng In the quiet, self-possessed
way in which he handles the sail.
sheets which apparently treasures
her, for she mods.
He touches his cap with smile,
I'm under your orders, then, Cap
tain Jeanne" he says, with his grave
smile.
You couldn't be under a better, "
says Hal Jeanne knows the coast,
and the Nancy Bell knows her! Isn't
this awfully jolly, Mr.. vane?"
Vernon Vane mods.
This is what l call true enjoy
ment," goes on Hal, flinging himself
full length ON the bow, and resting
his round chin on his hands, and
staring straight up at the sky. If
had my choice of a profession, I'd be a
couple of kegs of French brandy in
the boat to be complete.
"At least, we seem to have some
spirits on board" says Vernon vane,
turning with a smile to Jeanne, but
The skipper never a word says she,
But steers straight out for the open
sea-"
Straight out goes the Nancy Bell,
her sail spread out like swans back,
the water rushing past her keel, and
her crimson peunon flutterlng in the
gentle breeze.
Stlll Jeanne is grave and preoccu-
pied, and It is not until the line OF
frowuing cliffs is left behind that she
looks down at the stalwart figure at
her feet, as it lies half sitting half at
length, clad in it's flsherman's garb.
You seem accustomed to sailing.
Mr. vane,7 she says at last.
He looks around and up at her with
his quiet smile.
Yes, he says, lit is no novelty to-
me, ] have sailed the Mediterranean,
and the Atlantic and are old friends.
Hal stares.
In a yacht, Mr. Vane?"
Vernon Vane mods.