The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-01-05
RECORD BREAKING LOVE
BY II. A. SlATTENGRE


flirting with comely ladies. 1t was
late in the afternoon of an early
spring day that had been crowned by
u cloudless sky.
When the velvety star-lit darkness
superseded the gaudy twilight Tracy
put away his fishing tackle, lit ci-
gar and started To paddle slowly home
ward. The night was of the superb
kind that has a tendency to make a
person retrospective, dreaming and
amorous.
Presently Woman's voice was
heard singing on the other side of the
lake. 1t was changed and subdued by
the distance into a charming quality
as it vibrated on the soft, tranquil air.
The voice possessed Il range, carrying
power and sweetness that caused
Tracy to stop rowing and to listen in
tently to the magical outpouring. For
several minutes he listened, spell
bound, to the witching music; but it
stopped as suddenly as it had start
ed. Tracy waited patiently for some
time, expecting that the songstress
would again sing, but she did not as
soon as he desired.
Il wonder who she is?' Tracy asked
himself Il didn't think that this lit
tie dot upon the map harbored such
an exceptionally good singer. Posi-
bly,, she is just visitor like me and
won't stay here long. It's too bad
that l shall have to leave for the city
early in the morning, or l could, pos
sibly, contrive to meet her and find
out who she is. The owner of such
voice must be very charming"
Tracy wasn't even sure whether she
was out in a boat or not. But he de-
cided to take chances on it and soon
started rowing across the lake in the
direction from which the song had
come. Not until he had nearly reached
the opposite shore did he stop row.
ing. What is more, he saw no boat
and he heard no more of the song
stress. He had about decided that he
had come on a wild goose chase, when
his attentive ear caught the rattle
of an oarlock some distance away.
$50 she is out in boat and, | be-
lieve, alone, since there is no con-
versation."
Tracy unconsciously Strengthened
his tie and smoothed his hair, compli-
menting his good luck. While he was
planning some way to get acquainted,
she started singing again. Tracy for
got everything in listening to the
wonderful, appealing charm of that
voice. He thought that it was the
most enhancing vocal music he had
ever heard; in short, he had fallen
deeply in love with the voice and
onged to meet its owner-when the
song was finished.
To row up and accost her on the
lake was, of course, entirely out of
the question, so he began raclling his
brain for another method. 1t came
like an inspiration. Immediately he
set out for the boathouse landing near
the hotel which was marked by a
green light. The small lake he was on
was Joined to another lake by means
of channel about six feet wide and
was on the other side of the channel,
and taking a boat through the chan
mel without mishap and delay required
some skill. 1t was best done by start
ing the boat straight and with sutfl-
cient initial velocity to carry it well
along.
Tracy did not go through the chan
mel, but landed his boat on the beach,
out of sight from the entrance. In
going ashore he took with him a very
strong silk fishline, and walked care
fully though quickly to where foot
bridge crossed the channel. Forum
ately for Tracy, there We're no people
about to disturb him while he was
stringing the fishline across the chan
mel so that it would intercept a boat
in going through. When this was done
he went over to q bench under near
by willow, lit a cigar and listened to
the enchanting singing which had
again started.
Tracy pondered deeply the best
words to use in addressing her and
even went so far as to practice in
whispers the words and sentences he
intended to use.
Within fifteen minutes of the time
he had landed he heard the boat bear
ing the songstress coming toward the
landing She was silent now, but the
splash and creaking of the oars were
sufficient tell-tales. 1t was too dark
to see her boat distinctly; it seemed
like gray shadow upon the waters.
AS it neared the entrance it was lined
up with splendid precision, and with
two or three strong pulls was sent
correctly into the channel.
Tracy waited in breathless excite
ment until he saw the shadowy skiff
hesitate and rebound. After this there
was a scraping of oars and splashing
of water as the boat floundered
against the banks. Then, with his
heart in his throat and trembling with
anticipation, Tracy rose and walk ed
over to where his adored songstress
was captive. The boat was in the
shadow of the bridge, and consequent
| ly he could not see her but a CLINT