The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-13
The Euening Story

(By Caspar Johnson

<AuAAS A8AbuA xIllCe lS4ueQ 4OIW0kQ "a
her chair and scanned closely the trim
knockabout just shooting to . moor
Ing stake in the little harbor.
That's the Banshee. Billy Caverly's
boat" she announced.
Theresa Holmes turned her head 30
that her aunt could not zee her face and
wrinkled her nose disdAinfully. After
which she lifted an edge OF the porch
curtain and looked across the slOpinS
lawn and the smooth waters of Shady
Harbor beyond It. She saw the knock
about In question and a whitehead ath-
letic figure in the bow. reaching for the
mooring stake with boat hook.
He'll be coming ashore to call on us
presently. OF course" said Aunt Agatha.
Wen keep him to dinner. He's such
| dear boy. You'll be sure to like him.
Theresa"
She got out Of her chair. She moved
toward the doorway.
Hadn't you better freshen up just q
bit. dear. before he comes?"'
Theresa put down the book she was
reading. The truth Of the matter 10 she
put 1t down rather urgently. She fol-
lowed her aunt through the door and
into the cottage.
When she came down to the veranda
again some minutes later. very pretty
In her simple white gown. the knock
about swung idly with the tide at the
mooring stake. The trailing tender was
gone. Theresa looked out on the wa
ter, fully expecting to see it poking
shoreward with that athletic figure at
the oars.
streak OF blue. Theresa looked at II
with furrowed brows. Why on earth
hadn't she had sense enough to take
the steamer back yesterday? There was
| no other boat leaving the island until
O'Clock this afternoon. But then. she
reflected. she had not known until this
morning that her aunt had invited Billy
Caverly to run over.
1t was all SO obvious in light of
Aunt Agatha's matchmaking procliv-
| tiles. 1t was always thus when she
stayed with her aunt: one young man
after another; and all of them seri-
GUS minded. heavy. self sufficient
chaps
Theresa glanced at the rows of cat
boats and knockabouts moored there
in the harb0r. She was q good sailor.
What did 1t matter If there were no
boat until 4? She could get away and
upset this last carefully planned
eligible from Aunt Agatha's point of
view. Why not calmly borrow one of
those boats at the moorings and run
away? And then suddenly she
chuckled. If she were to do this. what
could be nicer than to borrow Mr.
That Caverly was ashore some
where ON the island was argued by
the absence of the tender. She
laughed aloud. Then she opened the
hall door and listened. Aunt Agatha
was stu upstairs.
Five minutes later a dinghy
whose it might be Theresa neither
knew nor cared-stole out from the
shore. Straight to the side of tile
Banshee it went. Aboard tumbled
Theresa with many delighted chuck
les, tied the dinghy to the moor;ng
stake. hoisted tho knockabout'a sails,
cast of the lines, and q moment later
went skimming out of the harnor in
the puffy breeze from the southwest.
She did not notice ugly black clouds
poking up their heads behind the is
land. 1t was only when she was well
out in the sound and distant rumble
Of thunder fell on her ears that she
saw the squall coming.
She headed the knockabout into the
wind and began to shorten sail. One
glance at those thunder-heads told
her it was going to be a merry little
blow. Already the sky to tho west
was growing ominously dark.
She worked furiously. A stronger
wind. the forerunner OF what was COM
ing. whipped the reef-points from her
hands. She began to work faster. and
as she did. the sliding doors of the lit
young man stepped on deck.
Maybe I can help" he said calmly.
and then, with one swift look at the
sky. he fell resolutely to work.
Theresa. still working beside him
flushed rosily.
For Goodness sake. how did you
happen to be on board?"
"Of my own boat?'' he asked mean
.ngly.
Theresa's cheeks became more rosy.
But I thought-there wasn't any
TENDER she stammered.
MY pump was working badly.
went ashore to get a man to fix 1t. He
took the tender and went back for more
packing 1 was in the cabin when you
came aboard and-and kidnapped me In
my own craft"
Theresa bit her lips.
'sYQu are Miss Theresa Holmes,
think" said he. IF I'm not mistaken,
you are the young lady saw ON Ars.
Princes veranda when ran into
Shady Harbor."
II was trying to get away" said
He smiled. IT know Mrs. Prince of
DID," he said with meaning bob Of his
head. Il don't blame you. surmised
as much. wasn't intending to appear
at all, but the blow coming up a. IL
did thought perhaps you might need
help. I'll just retire to tho cabin again
and let you 60 on to the mainland and
make your escape as soon az it's over"
Thank your she said simply.
The thunder sounded nearer. Then
with q swish and q roar a froth Of
white water, wind driven, came toward
them.
We're in for IT," she cried, jump
ing for the filler.
There was a very Wild few minutes
the seat beside him. realized II was no
ordinary blow Great drop4 Of rain nd