Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-01-17

that III 1t had not been, Romance had
dangled her Turing wisp o. light in
vain. Several of his new schemes had
worked out well. his subordinates
were Of one mind with him. trade was
fourishing. He felt he could afford
a little spin.
Jfmsy's radiating fancies focused
themselves, at last, on the vision Of
trig little sail-boat, "a Jug of wine.
loaf OF bread" In the cabin. with
possibly book of verses underneath
the bow, or more suitably, in the
shadow of the sail: and Aleck Van
Camp and himself astir in the rigging
or plunging together from the gun
vale for an early swim. And before
get on. I'll hear singer that can
sing" he declared.
He telegraphed Aleck, who was by
this time running down the eyelid Of
the squid. to meet him at his club in
New York. Then he made short work
with the family. Experience had
taught him that an attack from am
bush was most successful.
Look here, Edith"-this was at the
breakfast-table the very morning of
his departure. Edith was sixteen. the
tallest girl in the academy. almost
ready for college and reckoned quite
queen in her world-"You be good
and do my chores for me while I'm
away. and I'll bring you home a duke.
Take care Of mothers bronchitis. and
keep the house straight. I'm going on
cruise"
All right, Jim"-Edith could al
ways be counted on to catch the ball
go ahead and have a bully time
and don't drown yourself. I'll drive
the team straight to water. mother
and dad and the whole outfit. trust
mol"
Considering the occasion and the
correctness Of the sentiments. Jim
forbore. for once. from making the
daily suggestion that she chasten her
language. By the time the family ap-
peared. Jim had laid out a rigid
course Of action for Miss Edith. who
rose to the occasion like a soldier.
"Mother'll miss you. of course. but
Jack and Harold"-two of Edith's ad-
mirers-"Jack and Harold can come
around every day-stout arm to lean
upon. that sort of thing. You know
mother can't be a bit jolly without
plenty Of men about. and since Sue
became engaged she really doesn't
count. The boys will think they are
running things. of course. but they'll
see my iron hand in the velvet glove
you can throw a blue chip on that.
Jimsy. And don't kiss me. Jim, for
Dorothy Smell and / vowed. when we
wished each others rings on-oh. well,
brothers don't count"
And 30, amid the farewells of a ten
der. protesting family, he got of,
leaving Edith in the midst of one of
her monologues.
There was telegram in New York
saying that Aleck Van Camp would
Join him in three days, at the latest.
Hambleton disliked the club and left
It, although his first intention had
been to put up there. He picked out
a modest, uptown hotel. new to him,
for no other reason than that 1t had
a pretty name. The Larue. Then he
began to consider details.
The day after his arrival was occu-
pied in making arrangements for his
boat. He put into this matter the
same painstaking buoyancy that he
had put into dull business for
twelve years. He changed his plans
half dozen times and exceeded them
wholly In the size and equipment of
the little vessel. and in the conse-
quent expense: but he justified him.
self. as men will. by a dozen good
reasons. The trig little sail-boat
turned out to be a respectable yacht,
steam, at that. She was called the
Sea Gull. Neat in the beam, stanch
In the bows, rigged for coasting and
provided with a decent living outfit,
she was good enough for any gentle
man." in the opinion of the agent who
rented her. Jim was half ashamed at
giving up the more robust scheme Of
sailing his own boat, with Aleck; but
some vague and expansive spirit
moved him ito see.' as he said,
what 1t would be like to go as far and
as fast as we please" While they
were about 1t, they would call on some
cousins at Bar Harbor and get good
run out of 1t.
The idea of his holiday grew as he
played with 1t. AS his spin took on
4 more complicated character. his
zest rose, He went forth on Sunday
feeling as IL some vital change was
His little cruise loomed
up large, important. epochal He
laughed at himself and thought, with |
MS customary optimism, that a vaca- |
lion was worth waiting twelve years
FOR. II waiting endowed 1t with such |
1 flavor. Jim knew that Aleck would |
relish the spin. too. Alexis nature
was that of grind tempered with |
'portiness. Jim sat down Sunday