Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-02-03
passed, Miss Pat turned to me, signing

passed, Miss Pat turned to me, signing
softly:
1T was too pretty to last; 1t was
page out of the book of lost youth"
laughed back at her and signaled
lima to go ahead and then, as the
water churned and foamed and took
the wheel, we were startled by an ex-
clamation from some one in row.
boat near at hand. The last of the
peaceful armada had passed, but now
from the center of the lake, unobserved
and unheralded, stole canoe fitted
with slim masts carried high from bow
to stern with delightful daring. The
lights were set in globes of green and
gold, and high over all, its support
quite invisible, shone golden star
that seemed to hover and follow the
shadowy canoe.
We all watched the canoe intently;
and my eyes now fell upon the figure
of the skipper of this fairy craft, who
was set forth in clear relief against
the red fire beyond The sole occupant
of the canoe was girl-there was no
debating it; she flashed by within
paddles length of us, and heard the
low bubble of water under her blade.
She padded kneeling, Indian fashion,
and was lessening the breach between
herself and the last canoe of the or
derby line, which now swept on toward
the casino.
That's the prettiest one Of all"
began Miss Pat, then ceased abruptly.
She bent forward, half rising and
gazing intently at the canoe. What she
saw and what I saw was Helen Hol-
brook plying the paddle with practiced
stroke; and as she passed she glanced
aloft to make sure that her slender
mast of lights was mistaken; and then
she was gone, her star twinkling upon
us bewilderingly. I waited for Miss
Pat to speak, but she did not turn her
head until the canoe itself had van
ished and only it's gliding star marked
1t from the starry sisterhood above.
An exclamation faltered on my lips.
"It vast was like-it was"
Il believe we had better go now"
said Miss Pat, softly, and, l thought, a
little brokenly.
But we still followed the star with
our eyes, and we saw 1t gain the end
Of the procession, sweep on at its own
pace, past the casino, and then turn
abruptly and drive straight for Glen
arm pier. 1t was now between us and
our own shore. 1t shone moment
against our pier lights; the the star
and the fairy lanterns beneath 1t van
ished one after another and the canoe
disappeared as utterly as though it
had never been.
purposely steered a zigzag course
back to st. Agatha's. Since Helen had
seen fit to play this trick upon her
aunt wished to give her ample time
to dispose of her canoe and return to
the school. If we had been struck by
mere resemblance, why did the ca
noest not go on to the casino and en-
Joy the fruits of her victory? / tried
to imagine Gillespie party to the es-
capade, but could not fit him into 1t.
Meanwhile babbled on with Miss
Pat. Her phrases were, however. a
trife stiff and not In her usual man
ner.
walked with her from the pier 10
St Agatha's.
Sister Margaret, who had observed
the procession from an upper window,
threw open the door for us.
How is Helen?" asked Miss Pat at
once.
"She is very comfortable" replied
the sister. Il went up only moment
ago to see IL she wanted anything"
Miss Pat turned and gave me her
hand in her pretty fashion.
you see, 1t could not have been-it
was not-Helen; our eyes deceived
us! Thank you very much. Mr.. Dono
van!"
There was no mistaking her relief;
she smiled upon me beamingly as ]
stood before at the door.
"Of course! On a fete night one
can never trust ones eyes!"
But It was all be wilderingly beau
tiful. You are most compassionate to-
ward poor old woman In exile, Mr..
Donovan. must go up to Helen and
make her sorry for all she has
missed"