Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-23

thought of name for the boat. but
wanted you 10 suggest it." He was
looking very red and uncomfortable
indeed. bur his square shoulders were
set yOuthfully erect. and his handsome
face was deadly in earnest.
Miss Willie saw all this through her
long eyelashes, aud her voice was q
Ittie shaky as she replied: Seeing as
the big boat is called Lovely Eva, why
don't you name the new one Beautiful
Eva? And the sIlif you can call Lit
tie Eva. Then the whole three would
be satisfied. That's my suggestion"
The captain stared dazedly. Then
you believe I named the big boat after
one Of them women? ?" he demanded.
81 haven't thought much about it,
lied Miss Willie carelessly. They're
your boats. Name 'em to suit your
self"
"AII right, Miss Willie. Then shall
csa the new boat Wilhelmina after
you. because. you know, Miss Willie.
was going to ask you to-marry me
ard come and live here with me for
ever The captains bold hand rested
on Miss WiIlie's slender shoulder with
caressing touch.
Her face grew pink and then paIed
Wstfully. What refuge the quaint
HUIne on the beach WoUld De TO her.
the village dressmaker, whose days
were spent in going from house to
mouse and whose ears were weaCied
with much gossip and whose eyes
were tired of flashing needles and the
d 2 -,
-blissfully happy existence would be
hers in the snug shelter Of the sloop.
with it's perfect arrangements for
housekeeping. the indulgent captain
for a husband, And-here Miss VIII
Hes head droOped-there was nobody
quite so lovabie as Captain Benjamin
Bum! That was Miss Willie's care
fully guarded secret. that and her jeal-
ousy of the three EVas of Little River
Village. Her face grew quite pale
again as she shook OFF Captain Bunn's
hand
81 couldn't live in a house or a boat
that was named after another woman.
You can see how they'd ali talk. espe-
ciaIly if they didn't marry you them
Selves she said resolutely.
Marry me themselves roared the
captain. You don't mean them three
women wanted to marry me?'
Miss Willie nodded proudly. Every
one of 'em has laid claim TO you ever
since you sailed into harbor with
Lovely Eva painted on the sloop."
she had that name when I bought
her down to Rockport. What can I
do? It's bad luck to change a boats
name" said the captain helplessly.
Perhaps you'll think it good luck
not to change it," retorted Miss Willie
stlffly ,-once more turning away. And
this time Captain Bum did not detain
her.
Ee watched her with grave blue eyes
from which all the happiness had fed
until her lilac skirts had 6uttered
around a pile OF great powders. and
then. with long sigh. be picked up his
painting materials and trudged up to
the sloop.
The result of long meditation was
visible the next morning when Captain
Burn rugged n small scGffoding and
swung himself to a seat under the bow
of the Lovely Eva. ChcerfuIy he
worked, and he sang Justify the chorus
of Ben Bowline" II was a short job.
but one requiring delicacy and skill.
When ii was finished he performed a
similar operation on tue port bow and
then hurried TO the stern. where he
stood on a barrel and carefully re-
painted the worn letters that an
nounced the name of Lovely Eva,
Little River"
Then he few down to the sailboat
and with loving care iettered the name
Of "Wilhelmina B." on stem aud stern.
he had long finished bis work and was
fresh and clean In a suit of white drill
when a man came along the beach
from Little Village. He was the edi-
tor of the weekly newspaper.
Good morning, captain" he hailed
cheeriIy. II received your message
about the new boat. SO I've come down
&c, haze a Look at hRE- A. haantx. isn't