Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-01-27
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! TheLastHope;
! A Thanksgiving Day ;
! Story. !
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

than on land. At any rate, he like'
the water better, for, as he put 1t, tn
boat did his walking for him, ant
that was much better than using hi
legs. Johnny aourished as a boy be
fore the period of motorboats, but h
was scarcely into his teens when h'
had rugged little three cornered sal
on a six foot pole in punt and seemed
to know by instinct how to navigate
He used to frighten his mother by go
| ing out In his punt into open water
but he was never frightened himself
| We are not usually frightened at that
| to which we are accustomed. Johnny
was several times caught In a storm
out in water where the force of the
waves was unbroken by any interview
ing land, but he never lost his head.
But one day he dropped a lighted
match In a thicket dried after long
drought and started blaze. He ran
to the nearest house so frightened that
he was scarcely able to warn the In
mates OF the danger that threatened
the region. When the fire was put out
he sailed away In his boat. When
asked why he did so be replied that be
didn't like being ashore; 1t made him
afraid
Bessie Andrews, a couple Of years
younger than Johnny, was as amphib-
ious as he. They went to and from
school together; but. as to play, their
playing was done in Johnnys boat.
Bessie's mother objected to her child
going out with Johnny till she found
herself unable to prevent 1t, then con-
scented on condition that they never sail
outside the cove. Conditions with chill
dren when they are beyond reach are
dead letter When Johnny was reprov-
ed for breaking the agreement he laid
1t to the tide or the wind, or both. That
ended the argument.
Johnny and Bessie grew up together,
and when Johnny came to manhood
and the problem Of making his own
living presented itself he naturally
chose the sea- There was, however,
great obstacle in the way Of his doing
so. He and Bessie had become so used
to being together that a separation was
terrible to think OF. Though Bess was
aquatic, being girl she could not ship
with Johnny on the same vessel. Bess
proposed dressing as boy In order to
go with him. but Johnny wouldn't hear
or It He said the tight fitting sailor
toys would give her away at once.
Johnny shipped before the mast
there were few steamers In those days
for a cruise to the west coast OF
South America to bring back hides.
He was gone two years and would
have enjoyed the voyage immensely If
he could have had Bessie Andrews
with him. As 1t was, he was mighty
glad to get back When they parted
they had not entirely thrown of the
childhood companionship that had ex-
listed between them; when John re-
turned they flew to each others arms
as pair Of lovers.
John found that during his absence |
another barrier than the sea had come |
between him and Bess. An uncle of |
hers. Nathan Barrows, when a boy |
had gone to the city and had prospered
as a shipping merchant; but, since his
wife had not borne him children, he
had no one to whom to leave his &C
Besides, his wife was an |
invalid and needed the attention of a
woman. The couple had spent |
a summer at Mr.. Barrows' old home, |
where Bessie lived. had taken fancy
to her and had proposed to adopt her
and provided She would remain with |
them 50 long as they lived. leave her
their property.
This was severe complication for /
John Baxter, who could not claim Bess |
serious disadvantage. AS the wife of |
a sailor she would be without the |
of her husband nine. !
tenths of the time and must live In !
poverty. AS her uncle's |
adopted daughter she would have all |
the advantages wealth could bestow.
John was made of such stuff that he
would not stand in the way of the girl !
he loved, though it required all his |
resolution to give her up. He not only |
advised his sweetheart TO accept the |
offer. but insisted upon her doing so.
She consented at last with the hope |
that If she and John should outliye
Air and Mrs. Barrows they might be
united. Such result did not enter
Johns calculations. and Bess made no
mention Of her expectations to him
When John sailed again there was
bnt one comfort for him-Bess was
pledged not TO marry during her uncle
and aunts lifetime, and John need not
marry If he was not so disposed. New
ertheless be expected Bess to take on
that refinement city life is supposed to
produce. and If she married 1t would
be with a city bred man.
Five years passed, during which
John Bakers sterling worth gained
him the position OF first mate Of
vessel in the China trade. Mrs. Bar
rows died at this time, and her hus-
band found himself dependent on his
adopted daughter for whatever OF com
fort remained TO him. Though grow