Evening star., 1918-03-31

craft was launched. 1t was necessary
to handle her gingerly, and when she
took the water she leaked abominably.
But during the night she swelled and
in the morning it was possible to bail
her out
o'Reilly had to acknowledge himself
but poorly pleased with the boat.
Branch called her a coffin. and declared
1t was suicide to venture to sea in her.
an opinion shared by the Cubans. but
the girls were enchanted. To them this
they were in a fever to be gone.
On the second afternoon the trade
wind died to a gentle zephyr. so the
cocoanuts and other food were quickly
beneath the rawhide forecastle and
Esteban was laid upon 1t. Then adieux
were said and start was made.
From the point OF leaving 1t was
perhaps hve miles across the sound
to the fringe Of keys which in this
channel. with its unplumbed depths of
blue water. Here it was calm. SO the
run was soon made. The boat handled
well enough. all things considered;
It was an anxious hour. Not only was
he forced to keep a sharp lookout for
blockading gunboats, but he feared he
was doing wrong in committing his
Of the Atlantic. Even had he been
alone. with a crew Of able sailors
under him, this voyage would have
daunted him, for 1t was without doubt
the widest adventure in which he had
ever participated. When he limited at
these fears and put the matter before
his companions for a final test. Branch
refused to speak. but Esteban and the
girls were earnestly in favor Of push
ing on. Jacket. Of course. loudly Sec
onded them.
At sunset they entered a pass and
ran between low mangrove banks. The
tide was ebbing and it hurried them
through and out into the open sea.
ocean swell. Over these slow un-
dulations the sailboat plowed, heading
toward the empty northern horizon,
with the kindling pole star as a beacon.
roughened by the night breeze, the
consultations grew bright and ap-
peared to hang low.
When the coast line Of Cuba had be-
come blur astern Rosa crept back and
seated herself beside her husband.
'T breathe freely for the first time
since that day when Don Mario came
to offer me marriage" she told him.
THE past is beginning to seem like
a bad. bad dream and I feel a great
hop hops; a great siadness' am reborn
"A few hours more and we can all
breathe easy" He smiled down at her.
She laid her small palm over his fing-
whereupon he cried with pretended
sternness: 'Avast there! Don't dis
tract the attention of the skipper or
he'll sail his boat in circles. Look out
or he'll send you below"
punished her with a kiss planted fairly
upon her pouting lips. whereupon she
nestled closer to him. How much
love you." she whispered. But never
can tell you, for we are never alone.
C0nrtShin.
a marriage. and such a wedding jour-
ney as ours?"
Were the owl and the pussy cat
who went to sea in beautiful pea
green boat, with plenty Of honey and
lots of money, wrapped up in a ten
pound note Some day when we've set
tied down in our Harlem fiat. and I'm
working hard. we'll look back on this
Maybe wen long for excitement"
mot l." Rosa shivered. ITO be safe.
to have you all to myself where I can
spoil you. that will be excitement
enough
looked at, or one just like IT."
But O'Rail-ye. were rich."
I'D forgotten that Then let's
pretend to be poor. Think how our
neighbors would talk about that pretty
Mrs. O'Reilly on the fourth floor. and >.
her magnificent jewels. They'd swear
I was a smuggler."
AS the evening heightened and the
bride and groom were similarly en-
gagged. Branch and Jacket took turns
,ailing.
O'Reilly steered as
traight course as he could without
compass, but toward morning he saw I
hat the sky was growing overcast and I