The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-06-01

back at the old man. He had been
watching her with some anxiety. He
noted that the boat was making little
Roadway, despite her steady Efforts.
IT'S no use" she said
He stirred uneasily.
81 must get back to Shore" he said.
The girl studied the sky and shook
her head.
"You can't get back until this off
shore wind changes" she said. "At
least l can't row you there"
He looked up eagerly.
Cant you signal the people ashore d?
I'm sure they would send for me-"
we are too far west of the bluff to
be seen from the landing place"
The old man groaned
This is too bad" he muttered. az
was a fool to get myself in the pre-
dicament."
Il am going about" said the girl.
Steady Perhaps you can help trim
the boat"
The firm hands grasped the oars, the
rounded arms swelled. With fine dis
play of skill the girl turned the boat,
and while it listed dangerously for a
moment shs brought it about safely
and let ii run with the wind.
Where are you going demanded
the old man. Out to sea?"
She looked up at him and smiled.
No" she answered. Not if | can
help it. There is an island off the
point yonder. You'll see it presently.
1t is directly in our pathway"
He was silent for 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. 1t was
an August day and the sun shone from
cloudless sky. Little white crested
rfpples ran across the land-locked bay
and outside, against the far horizon
line, smoke trailing steamer was
passing
The old man, dark frown on his
wrinkled face, watched the girl. She
was fine young woman, there was
no doubt of that. He had been pre-
JUDGED, strongly prejudiced against
girls of the athletic type but some
how this girl didn't seem to lose
her feminine charm, even if her arms
were strong and her hands firm
who is to blame for all this?" he
suddenly demanded.
The girl, bending over the oars. soft
ly laughed
u very cheerfully leave that to you, +"
she answered.
81 am not man who shirks re-
he OF
to the dock because / had a little time
to kill The man l wanted to meet
had gone somewhere-across the inlet.
! thin kthey said-and he would not
be back for an hour came down
to the dock and saw you padding
about. | spoke to you. I'll admit l ad-
mtred the way you handled the oars.
Perhaps | regarded you as would
regard a skilled boatman-only a little
more so. Anyway. / spoke to you"
The girl laughed softly.
'YOu had forgotten the story Of the
LOrelei," she said
Anyway. / was wrong" he growled
ut was something | shouldn't have
done. | asked you a question or two.
You answered lntelligently. You asked
me If would enjoy a ride on the
water. | looked at my watch / had
forty minutes to spare. | stepped in
TO your boat That's where the blame
is yours"
She opened her eyes little
"Why?"
"Am | person you have ever metz"
She shook her head
do you expect to ever meet me
Igain?"
She shook her head once more.
Don't you know 1t IS wrong to be
300 free with strangers?"
She laughed merrily. She certainly
had an attractive face.
aren't you little hasty I'm your
reference TO the freedom of the af-
fair?" she demanded. How do you
know that / do not row this boat
about the harbOr for the bread and
butter I require? You have no reason
10 think that / ann not charging you 90
cents an hour with the full determin-
alton of adding to 10 and collecting IT,
you may charge anything you
please" he retorted. "Only get me
ashore"
But you must not blame me foi
this predicament,' said the girl you
came to- the dock and looked at my
boat longngly You asked me some
questions I'm a very friendly way Out
Of the goodness Of my heart ! invited
You to enjoy a ride. You accepted
the invitation readily. You seemed
very much pleased"
She waited for him to utter a pro
test.
"Go on" he said, y admit Il ell.
was p'Sased."