The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-04-28

/ company owning the fleet OF three
steamers plying the lake, and he was
a privileged person.
The pair were not again visible to
the rest OF the picknickers until the
| grove was reached, then the servant
| spread the rugs, made coffee by the
| aid of an alcohol stove and served the
lunch.
Z ESterbrOoke and Betty wandered
away to escape the crowd and they
did not reappear until the boat was
| ready to leave. Esterbrooke hated
/ crowds. and he had come merely be-
/ cause Betty insisted. He argued to
/ himself that there would be time
| enough after marriage to bend her to
| his ways.
When they reached the upper deck
/ he directed the captain to take the
/ back channel on the way home.
Its a beastly bore to repeat the
scenery he offered in explanation
| The back channel Will be a little diff
| ferent"
The lake is at pretty low stage"
objected the captain. "i here are some
| pretty nasty rocks in tne channel. Mr..
| Esterbrooke"
OF course. If you are afraid" he
| began, and smiled softly 10 himself as
| the captain brought his teeth together
| with snap and stepped inside the
pilot house.
Esterbrooke had caused the dis
charge of one of the Oldest men in the
employ of the line for less than this.
and the employees feared and hated
| him.
Presently the steamer entered the
Dack channel, and OsbOn came hurry
ing up to demonstrate at the risk. He
was familiar with the lake. and &C
the chairman of the excursion com
| mlttee, it was his province to inter
| fere.
Inc captain referred him to Ester
I brooke, and the latter smiled as he re-
minded him that the charter did NOT
| specify any particular route. Osbon.
| beaten, still smiled as he descended
the Sangway, but half an hour later
fast. anu ieiu
AS the keel grated along the rocky
ridge, all was confusion, but in the
midst of the confusion Osbon's voice
rang out clear.
NO danger" he shouted. "You can
get shipwrecked without extra charge
ana Wen get our names in the papers.
!heres desert island within wading
. us IanCe, ana IL we have to, we'll all
|
The joke was inane enoueb bu+ q
served its point The Confusion died
down, and when it was found that
the boat was not sinking. every one
! decided TO accept the happening as a
| huge lark. 90 :"
Ohe OF the boats put off with men
10 wire that the steamer was safe.
ana ESterbrOOke suggested to Rettv
mat they go with the boat
we can get rig somewhere and
oriVe into the nearest town" he ex-
planned. We are a good four miles
from shore and the rest of the marty
cannot be taken OF until the Cham
plon comes along in the morning
mere Is no steamer st this end OF the
lake VI '"e
Betty shook her head.
we VIII stay with the others" she
G T1' ana with no very good grace.
hsoerbrooke led the way back TO the
| upper deck. '"'
We might as well have some sup
pei ne declared, as he motioned to
MS man, and presently thew were
iunching off the remains of the ham
per's contents.
Inc evening fell, and Betty insisted
upon going below. Esterbrooke held
udch as they entered the saloon. Here
was babel of sound. Babies and chill
ureh cried through hunger and fear
anu urea mothers sought ineffectuaI
ly TO secure quiet.
through the confusion Osbon passed
with the assurance that two rowboate
nad been sent out to forage. and that
toou would presently arrive. His GOOD
numor had not failed him, and wher-
ever he passed he left a trail of smiles
behind.
AT the sight of the mass of rigs
oOrhe by EsterbroOkes man. Osbon'
eye frightened, and after seeing that
10y was made comfortable, the rest
were Communicated for the women
and children. Esterbrooke ventured
protest, but for once Osbon forgot
to smile. SUI
Your order got us into this hole"
ne sald Hereby. If l hear another
word from you, I'll throw you over
he looked as though he longed to do
II, and Esterbrooke subsidized with a
.uo"e"ness that was surprising.
The return of the boats with such
stores as they could obtain helped to
lessen the discomfort. Osbon dealt
out the supplies with a careful hano
and a CHEEKY word, and presently the
women and children sought rest on
the saloon floor. The men gathered on
the lower deck and smoked and slent
as their fancy dictated
Esterbrooke, finding the situation in
tolerable, at last engaged some of the
crew TO put him ashore. When the
morning sun began to paint the east.
ana Betty came out of the cabin for a
pIedth OF fresh air, she found Osbon
leaning aaginst a pillar and searching
the horizon for the smoke that should
signal the advent of the rescuing
steamer
You have been up all night?" she
asked with quick sympathy.
Osbon nodded
never did like to sleep in a coal
bin, he explained. This was hard
coal, too"
How did Mr.. Esterbrooke stand it?"
she asked
He went ashore" explained Osbon
He felt assured that you wonId ne