The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1914-12-31

1 lOVeU! i knew you u never KNOW the
difference-at least / wal fool enough
for the moment to believe / could
stand being loved by you in her name!
It was only today, when I'd had time
to think, that / realized how impos-
sible that was!"
A sudden slap Of the mainsail boom
athwartships and a simultaneous cry
from over the stern reused Alan from
his CONSERVATION to fresh appreciation
of the emergency. With scant consid-
GRAFTON ne hustled the woman to the
~companionway and below, slammed it's
ing hatch-all In a breath-then
sprang to the taffrail, just in time to
lend a helping hand sorely wanted by
Mr.. Barcus in his efforts to climb
aboard, after he had pulled the dory
up under the stern by it's painter.
He came over the rail in a towering
temper.
II hope you'll pardon the apparent
impertinence," he suggested acidly,
as soon as able to articulate coher,
ently-"but may l inquire II that
bloody-minded vixen is your blushing
bride-to-be?"
Alan shook a helpless head. The
thing defied reasonable explanation.
He made a feeble stagger at 1t with
out much satisfaction either to him.
self or to the outraged Barcus.
"No-it's all a damnable mistakel
She's her sister, mean, the right.
girls sister-and her precise double
fooled me-not quite right In the head,
I'm afraid"
"You may well be afraid, you poor
fat!" MI. Barcus snapped. "D'you
know what she did? Threw me over
board! Fact! Came on deck a while
ago, sweet as peaches-and all of q
sudden whips out a gun as big as a,
cannon, points 1t at my head and or
ders me to luff into the wind. Before
could make sure l wasn't dreaming,
she had fired twice-in the air-a sig
nal to that blessed fisherman astern
there-at least, they answered with
W toots Of a power whistle and
changed course to run up to US. Look
how she's gained already"
But how did she happen to throw
you overboard?"
Happen nothing!" Barcus snapped,
getting to his feet. "She did it a.
purpose-few at me like a wildcat,
and before l knew what was up-I
was slammed backwards over the
rail-"
Il can't tell you how sorry l am"
Alan responded ~gravely. There's
more to tell-but one thing to be done
first"
And that?" Mr.. Barcus inquired
suspiciously. ,
ITO get rid of the lady" Alan an
nounced firmly. Make that fisher
man a present Of the woman in the
case. You don't mind parting with
the dory In a good cause-if / pay for
it,"
Take 1t for nothing" Barcus
grumbled. Cheap at the price!"
He took Alan's place, watching him
with a sardonic y as he drew the
tender In under the leeward quarter,
made it fast, and reopened the COM
panionway.
AS the girl came on deck with
out other invitation, in a sullen rage
that only heightened her wonderful
loneliness, Alan noted that her first
look was for him, Of untempered ma
lightly; her second, for Barcus, with
a curling lip; her third, astern, with
a glimmer of satisfaction as she rec
ognized how well the fisherman had
drawn up on the Seaventure.
Friends of yours, l infer?". Alan
inquired civilly.
Judith nodded.
Then it would save us some trouble
yourself included-if you'll be good
enough to step into the dory without a
struggle"
Without a word, Judith stepped to
the rail and, as Barcus luffed, swung
herself oversize into the dory.
Immediately Alan cast off, and as
the little boat sheered off, Barcus,
with a sigh Of relief, brought the Sea-
venture once more back upon her
course.
For some few minutes there was 81
lence between the two men, while the
tender dropped swiftly astern, the
m plying a brisk pair of oars.
Then, suddenly e~levating his nose,
Barcus shifted audibly. Here" he
said sharply. relieve me for a min
ute. will you? l want to go forward
and have a look at that motor"
In the time that he remained invis-
ible between decks the fisherman
luffed, picked up the dory and its
occupant, and came round again in
open chase of the Seaventure.
When Barcus ~reappeared 1t was
with a grave face.
"The devil and the deep She" he OBJ
served %obscurely. coming aft, from
all their works, good Lord deliver us!"
whats the trouble now"
Nothing much-only your playful
little friend has been up to another Of
her light-hearted tricks. . II you
should happen to want q smoke or
anything to eat when you go below,