Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-21

and harp. Blinker had thrown OH
care. The North Woods seemed to
him an uninhabitable wilderness
What a fuss he had made over sign
ing his name-pooh. he could sigr
it a hundred times; and her name
was as pretty as she was-"Florence,
he said to himself a great many
times.
AS the boat was nearing its pier in
the North river a two-funneiled,
foreign looking steamer was drop
ping down the bay. The boat turned
it's nose in toward its slip. The
steamer 'Veered to seek mid stream,
waved, seemed to increase its speed
and struck the Coney boat on the side
near the stern, cutting into it with
terrifying shock and crash
While the 600 passengers were
mostly tumbling about the decks in
shrieking panic the captain was
shouting at the steamer that it should
not back off and leave the rent eX-
posed for the water to enter But
| the steamer tore it's way out like a
savage sawflsh and cleaved its heart
| less way, full speed ahead.
! The boat began to sink at its stern,
| but moved slowly toward the slip.
| The passengers were a frantic mob,
| unpleasant to behold.
Blinker held Florence tightly until
the boat had righted itself. She made
no sound or sign of fear He stood
on a camp STOOL ripped off the Stats
above his head and pulled down a
number of life preservers. He be-
Il
The rotten canvas split and the
| fraudulent graduated cork came
pouring out in a stream. Florence
caught a handful of it and laughed
gleefulfy
ut looks like breakfast food she
said. Take it off. They're no good"
She unbuckled it and threw it on
the deck She made Blinker sit down,
and sat by his side and put her hand
in his "What'n you bet we don't
reach the pier all right?' she said,
and began to hum song.
| And now the captain moved among
| the passengers and compelled order.
The boat would undoubtedly make
her slip, he said. and ordered the
! women and children to the bow,
|
| boat, very low in the water at the
stern, tried CALAMITY to make his
promise good.
Florence" said Blinker, as she
held him close by an arm and hand.
II love you"
That's what they all say" she re-
piled, lightly.
II am not one of they ALL :" he per-
sisted. It never knew anyone l could
love before. / could pass my life with
you and be happy every day. I am
rich. I can make things all right for
you"
That's what they all say" said the
girl again, weaving the words into
her little reckless song.
Don't say that again." said Blink
er, in a tone that made her look at
him in frank surprise.
why shouldn't 70" she asked
calmly. "They all do
"Who are they" he asked. jealous
for the first time in his existence.
why, the fellows I know
do you know so many"
ooh, well, I'm not a wallhower."
she answered with modest compla :
cency.
Where do you see these-these
men? At your homer
"Of course not. l meet them just
| as 1 did you. Sometimes on the boat,
sometimes in the park, sometimes on
the street. I'm pretty good Judge
of man. / can tell in a minute if
a fellow is one who is likely TO set
fresh"
What do you mean by fresh -
why, try to kiss you-me, mean
do any of them try that?" asked
Blinker, clenching his teeth.
Sure. All men do. You know
| that"
DO you allow them?9
| Some. Not many. They won't
take you out anywhere unless you
do"
She turned her head and looked
searchingly at Blinker. Her eyes were
| as innocent as a child's. There was
a puzzled look in them as though she
did not understand him.
Whats wrong about my meeting
fellows?" she asked wonderingly.
! Everything" he answered, almost
savagely. why don't you entertain
your company In the house where
you live? Is it necessary to pick up
Tom, Dick and Harry on the streets?"
She kept her absolutely ingenious
eyes upon him.
IF you could see the place where
| l live you wouldn't ask that. I live
In Brickdust Row. They call 1t that
because there's red dust from the
bricks crumbling over everything.
I've lived there for more than four
years. There's no place to receive
company. You can't have anybody
come to your room. What else is
there to do?. A girl has got to meet
| men, hasn't she?"
Yes" he said, hoarsely "A CIR
has got to meet a-has got to meet
the men,"
THE first time one spoke to me or
the street. she continued, IT ran
home and cried all night. But you
get used to it. / meet a good many
nice fellows at church. go on rainy