La Junta tribune., 1911-04-01

The village dlfessuiaker. whose days
were spent u going from house 10
house and whose ears were wearied
with much gossip and whose eyes
were tired Of flashing needles and the
whir OF the sewing machine. What \
blissfuliy happy existence would be
hers Ia the snug shelter of the sioop.
with its perfect arrangements Tor
housekeeping. the ipdulgent captain
for q husband. Aud-here Miss VIII
lies head drppeL-thcre was nobody
quite 50 iovabie AZ Captain Renja amin
Bum. That was Miss Willie's care
fully guarded secret. that aud her 1eal-
ousy ~ th. three Evas Of Little River
village Her face grew quite pale
a;.,,iu us she shook Oh Captain Bupn's
hand
Il couldn't live In a house Or u boat
that was named nfter another woman.
You can see how they'd all talk. espe-
cinlly IL they didn't marry you them
selves" she said resolutely.
Marry me themselves roared the
raptnin "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."
Ssh. had that name when bought
her down to Rockport. What can !
do: It's bad luck to change boats
name" said the captain helplessly.
Perhaps you'll think 1t good luck
not TO change IT," retorted Miss Willie
stit'ly. once more turning away. And
this time Captain Bum did not detain
her.
He watched her with grave blue eyes
from which all the happiness had lied
until her lilac skirts had futtered
around n pile o. great powders. and
then. with long sigh. he picked up his
painting materials and trudged up to
the sloop
The result Of a long meditation was
visible the next morning when Captain
Bum rugged n small scaffolding and
swung himself to a seat under the bow
Of the Lovely Eva. Cheerfuly he
N'ih'Ni tlh u' ShbS 'u'ib
OF Ben Bowline." II WIS a short job.
but one requiring dellcacy and skill.
when II was finished he performed
similar operation on the port bow and
then hurried TO the stern. where he
stood on barrel and carefully re-
painted the worn letters that an
nouncrd the name OF Lovely Eva.
Little River"
Then he flew down TO the sallboat
and with loving care lettered tn" name
OF "Wilhelmina b." ou stem aud stern.
He had long finished his work and was
when man came along the beach
from Little Village. He was the edl-
tor OF the weekly newspaper.
Good morning. captain" he hailed
cbe-rily. Il received your message
about the new boat. So I've come down
to have n look at her. beauty. isn't
shcg' He stood silll and examined the
boat with a critical eye.
Il think she's pretty fine. Mr. Brown.
I'll take you out tomorrow. Perhaps
We can get few blues outside. chf
The captain benmed happily. Every
thing would be well now. and In the
distance he could see Miss VIII.
Deems picking her way down III.
beach toward him.
Makes the old sloop look some shah
by" he remarked. calling attention TO
IN. boat on the sand above them.
Mr. Brown turned aud looked AT the
sioop lie squin'ed long at her and
then went up closer. What's the
matter with her name. captain:
thougln"- He turned u puzzled look
on the captain. who was watching him
with twlnkling eyes.
What IL the matter with her namc;'
repeated Captain Bum innocebily.
why. I thought her name wa, Love
ly Eva. but. by George. lis Lonely
Eva
The captain laughed. It's always
Deen Lonely Eva-Iueer name. isn't Il;
but somehow The first stroke OF tn.
n wore on and left " It's never
been painted back again III awhile
,go. You se... thai's her real name
NOW that u Vul'e u JOKE. museu
Mr.. Brown. with eyes mirthfuliy rem
inisrent Of Two spinsiers and an am
bilious widow who laid claim TO the
name " Eva. Il wonder II you'd oh.
Jest 10 my writing that up for the pa
irr. never heard the sloop called
anything except Lovely. although |
guess ii's been mighty lonely some
times" He laughed nj his own Joke.
Write her up: write her up agreed
the captain heartily. with wave Of
his hand 10 The departing editor
lie saw Mr. Brown greet Miss Wi
lie with great Difference. aud then d.
stood quietly waiting until she reach.
I'd his side.
Il exp'-i I'm acting like "a fool over
the name of that boat. she began hur.