The Washington herald., 1914-06-12

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
bit, dear. before he ccmesT
Theresa put down the book she was
reading The truth of the matter Is she
put II 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 knodk-
about swung idly with the tide at the
moooring stake The trailing tender was
gone. Theresa looked out on the water.
fully expecting TO see it pokins shore
ward with that athletic figure at the
oars
Far away the mainland was a hazy
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.
II was all so obvious in light Of Aunt
Agatha's matchmaking proclivities. 1t
was always thus when she stayed with
her aunt: one young man after another:
and all of them serious minded. heavy.
self-sufficient chaps
Theresa glanced at the rows Of cat
boats and knockabouts moored there in
the harbor. She was a good sailor. What
did It matter II there were no boat un-
I'll 4? She could get away and upset
this last carefully planned meeting with
an eligible young man-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. II she were to
do this, what could be nicer than to
borrow Mr.. Caverly's knockabout?
That Caverly was ashore somewhere
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 still upstairs
Five minutes later a dinGhy-whose II
might be Theresa neither knew nor
cared-stole out from the shore. Straight
to the side of the Banshee it went.
Aboard tumbled Theresa with many de-
lightful chuckles. tied the dinghy to the
mooring stake. hoisted the knockabouts s
sails, cast of the lines, and a moment
later went skimming out OF the harbor
In the PUFFY. breeze from the southwest.
She did nOs notice ugly black clouds
poking up their heads behind the island
II was only when she was well out In
the sound and a distant rumble of thun-
der fell on her ears that she saw the
squaIl coming.
She headed the knockabout into the
wind and began to shorten sail One
glance at those thunder-heads told her
IL was going to be a merry little blow.
Already the sky 10 the west was grow
ing ominously dark.
She worked furiously. A stronger wind.
the forerunner of what was coming,
whipped the reef-points from her hands.
She began to work faster, and as she did,
the sliding doors of the little cabin hatch
opened and a smiling young man stepped
on deck.
Maybe I can help said he 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-aboard?''
of my own boat?" he asked mean
ingiy.
Theresas cheeks became more rosy.
But I thought-there wasn't any ten
der" she stammered-
My pump was working badly. I went
ashore to get a man to fix it. 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.
You are Miss Theresa Holmes, I
think" said he. IF I'm not mistaken,
you are the young lady I saw on Mrs
Princes veranda when I ran into Shady
Harbor.
II was trying 10 get away" said she
pointedly.
He smiled. Il know Mrs. Prince OF
DID," he said with a meaning bob of his
head. Il don't blame you. I surmised
as much. ! wasn't intending to appear
at all. but the blow coming up as il did
/ thought perhaps you might need help.
I'll just retire to the cabin again and
let you go on to the mainland and make
your escape as soon as it's over"
Thank you,' she said simply.
The thunder sounded nearer. Then with
swish and roar a froth of white
water, wind-driven, came toward them.
We're in for it, she cried. jumping
for the tiller.
There was a very wild few minutes of
IL after that. Theresa, crouching on the
seat beside him. realized II was no ordi-
nary blow. Great drops of rain and hail
began to fall; it grew dark as late twi-
light.
Il imagine it's lucky did kidnap you. -
Theresa managed to shout to him
through the rain and hail.
I'm glad you feel that way" said he.
with a grateful smile.
A great wall of water came tumbling
over the bow. 1t swept aft, drenching
them both to the skin. One of his strong
arms went out suddenly to hold her on
the seat.
Are you afraid?" he asked.
Not with you." she answered, shaking
the water from her eyes and ducking her
head as another sea swept down on them.
1t was over as quickly as it had come.
The sky cleared. the sun came out hazily.
they could see the storm sweeping on
toward the mainland.
The young man stood up and glanced
about the horizon.
We'll, that's about all for this after
noon, / imagine" said he. Suppose now
I shake out the reefs, retire to the cabin
again and let you proceed TO the main
land, quite as II had never come out Of
II at ALL"
She liked his face; she liked his smile.
asked, demurely.
FRANKLY. II isn't" he replied. IF
had my way I'd head straight back for
Shady Harbor. I'd dine with you and
your aunt tonight. Td-oh, / think I'd
hang about a while and see IL 1 couldn't
induce you to go sailing with me and to
like me a little, despite Mrs. Princes
matchmaking, or attempts thereat."
Theresa laughed lightly. Then she