St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-06-04
Fish Out of Water
BY BERTHA ORVILLE
I,onyrigbt 1909, by Associated Literary Press.)
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j, 1.-The picturesque new boatman. The
girls all have been out to see hlm
They say he looks like Romeo Mother
wouldn't let me go out there alone.
Ned had to admit that Jack was GER
tainly of the type to appeal to the ar
tistic and feminine eye. He was slen-
der, supple and little and handled the
boat with ease and grace. He mad
dark, foreign-looking eyes, strong fea-
lures, brown skin. even white teeth
and musical voice. He wore cordu-
roy trousers, blue flannel shirt with
rundown collar and rolled-up sleeves.
red tie, bit of a cap on the back or
his head, with Byronic raven lock on
his brow
When they were in the sailboat Ned
tried to draw him into conversation.
but sailor-like his eyes and thoughts
were centered on the boat and sky.
They must keep you pretty busy
here" he observed as they landed.
Have to work evenings. l suppose?"
Eyes; that's our busy time," replied
Jack. once in a while lay off for
morning. am going to get up to"
morrow and go to the ball game"
BE sure you do" urged Ned. ats
going to be the game of the season"
| He went home, relieved Jack had
omitted all his ''g's" and had said git
for get" He went early to the game
the next morning and secured a seat on
the bleachers watching the entrance
faithfully. Presently Jack appeared.
dressed up" His attire was just
what Ned had hoped it would be.
| At luncheon he remarked casually
to his sister: Bessie Lawrence and
| l went to Round lake for sail yes
| terday."
Il hear the girls are all wild over
| the new boatman. don't wonder.
| He's about as handsome chap as
ever saw outside of picture"
isn't he besutiful?" she asked en-
Enthusiastically, land can't he handle a
| boat well?"
YES; he's a born sailor. So you
have been sailing with him. Edith"
"Yes. few times" she said
Have you been with him anywhere
else?"
"Once or twice. We rowed up the
creek and"
"And where else, Edith" he asked
gently.
Il took him in my automobile for a
ride"
And do you think that was just the
thing to do? Why not ask him to
come to your house, as you did Tom
and the others?"
Il thought" she said, reddening
under his gaze. that you would OBJ
ject."
Il would certainly prefer to have
you see him here than to be going
where he is. made his acquaintance
at the ball game this morning. shall
ask him to call. if you like"
II don't think l want him to CALL"
she said nervously.
why not?" he asked In feigned sur
prise
81 don't know Just why" she said
doubtfully.
Il made inquiries about him and
find that he is a respectable, indus
trious fellow. I'll ask him to come up
after dinner tonight. want to see
him anyway and figure on sailboat
party for next week"
He telephoned to the resort and
Jack promised to call at eight O'Clock
that night. When he was admitted
by the maid Edith and Ned were in
the library. Edith looked at him and
turned away from Neds dancing eyes.
Jack wore bright tan shoes, plaid
socks. light trousers, gaudy waist
coat. a gorgeous tie, a watch chain
with multiplicity of dangling charms,
large pin in his tie and an organiza-
ton emblem in his lapel He seemed
perfectly at ease. however; much
more so than his hostess. And he
blithely ignored all the rules of Eng
fish. After half an hour Ned consid-
cred from his sisters countenance that
the lesson had been learned.
Now Berdan," he said "let's figure
on getting that biggest boat of yours
up through the chain of lakes"
Then, If you want to talk business,
may be excused" said Edith, hastily
leaving the room.
Present her brother called to her.
Our caller had to depart" he said
gravely. He had only two hours
leave. BY the way. Edith, he con.
fided in me that he had a girl-a
dandy girl, he said
Ned she said, tears of mortifica-
ton in her eyes. "he looks so different
in a boat"
That is true. He should stay in
ore. But did you know that Tom re-
turned today? May / telephone and
ask him to come up tonight"
He won't come" she said hope
lessly
Lets see." he replied. going to the
telephone
After moments conversation, he
handed her the receiver.
Tom wants to speak to you, Edith"
he said. leaving the room.