The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-09-01
SEASIDE INCIDENT !
BY EDWARD MiNrvRn.

left him by q wealthy uncle, he pur
chased beautiful cottage and little
homestead on the lower part of Staten
Island, where he could look out on old
ocean at all times, and take sail in
: pretty little yacht that he kept in
a creek Just below the house-a boat
quite seaworthy, yet SO small that he
could manage Ii alone when he chose,
though he generally had his man Of
all work, Toby Ditson, with him when
he went out.
But In very pleasant weather Harry
generally went out with his mate,
pretty Flora Veskit, who wore wed.
ding ring on the proper finger. which
he had placed there three years be-
fore, and which looked brighter and
brighter to him every day of his
welded life.
One day last fall, when the coast
was lined with ducks, Harry made up
his mind to have a short ducking
cruise, and broached the subject to
Flora at the breakfast table.
"Oh. yes!" said Flo. And I'll go to
be boatkeeper. You can take Toby
alons to row the skiff when you want
to go into the creeks and marshes
he isn't good for much else"
Don't run Toby down." said Harry,
with a laugh. Remember that he
came from the Hub. But get ready,
dear one--I'm In hurry to be off.
The wind is light this morning, but
will freshen this afternoon. The sky
is 'mackerel and full of mares tails 7"
There you are With your horrid
sea signs again, Harry. Ill be ready
as soon as you are"
"All right" cried Harry, and he
started to rouse Toby Ditson from his
usual lethargy to put guns and provi-
sions aboard the little sloop.
An hour later and the yacht, with
Harry at the helm, Flor. lending main
sheet, and Toby forward to look out
for the jib. was standing down the
bay.
The breeze freshened from the north
west as they stood on. making the fast
sloop skim over the smooth water at
lively rate. for running up close un
der the land there was no sea on
worth noticing tp, H.
Inshore the ducks were very plentt
full, and Harry soon began to look for
landing place.
Running up near a small creek, that
made far inland on its winding way.
Harry told Toby to let go the anchor
and haul down the jib.
There was no need to lower the
mainsail. he said; for he would soon
be back. ru
AS Flora had book to read. she sat
down on the nicely cushioned rear
seat, and made herself comfortable as
soon as Harry and Toby showed off In
the skiff.
Once or twice ahe looked shoreward
when she heard the report Of Harry's
gun, Knowing that he was doing
havoc among the ducks.
At last she got drowsy, and lying
back on the soft cushions, with the
breeze tanning her white forehead, she
fell asleep.
How long she slept. poor Flora did
not know. but her waking was very
rude, for it came by immersion.
A huge surge of salt water. dashine
over the quarter Of the boat, drenched
her from head to foot, and as she
sprang to her feet, she found that the
boat, already out of sight of land, was
driving stern first to sea, heading with
the mainsail set, to furious north
west gale.
Oh. where was Harry now to set the
other sail and head for harbor?
This was F1ora's thought, and then
came the prayer from her lips:
Heaven help me, or am lost"
The day was far advanced, and soon
night would be upon her-night. in Q
gale, drifting out upon the rough At
iantic. @@
Flora dared not lower the. sail
Well, indeed, was 1t for her that she
did not do it. This kept head to wind
md sea, the boat rode easy, and
though taking in a little water now
and then aft, whence 1t ran off by the
scuppers, was yet very safe.
"Ch. what win Harry do when he
ands / am adrift!" sobbed Flora. i
Gnow he win follow me to sea in that
tiny skiff, and he will be LOST"
Flora was right. Harry did follow
ner to sea In that tiny skiff. Toby Dit
son was too cowardly to risk the voy.
age. and he was left ashore when Har
ry started to follow the sloop when
ne saw her adrift.
1t was terrible task for Harry to
row out over the rough water after
the fast-drifting yacht With blistered
nands he struggled on, and just before
dark he got within hail. 80 nearly ex.
hausted that Flora barely heard his
cry to lower the mainsail, or he could
not reach her.
Fortunately she had seen him do II,
and she sprang to the halyards as she
heard his cry.
The sail soon came tumbling down
by the run. and in minute afterward
Harry was aboard, with Flora's arms
around him.
Quickly he had two reefs in the
mainsail, the bonnet of the jib, and