The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-08-09
When Father
Decides
By r. RAY BAKER
NS0ssHent' 1913. by the Mcclure News.
paper Syndtcatal


Il was no use, the motor Just
wouldn't start Not a sputter could
anne Davis get out Of it. She tugged
ana tugged at the fywheel. but there
was not even buzz to reward her ef
forts.
she looked down the river, vexed and
despairing. The boat was floating at q
Iair rate OF speed, and unless she
could get it moving In the other direc
zion before long she would have little
prospect Of arriving at the Rest-While
cottage before dark.
Already 1t was dusk, but she man.
aged to make out something coming
upstream. Soon she heard the creak-
Ing OF oarlocks and presently a
shadowy shape doomed into view. It
was rowboat with a man bending
vigorously ut the oars.
One Of the Inhabitants" Anne de
cided, but there was little disdain in
her voice. Meeting one Of them in the
village she would not have favored him
with passing notice, but now any kind
or man would be welcome. She hailed
the stranger.
stop minute, will you, pleasey
He rested with his oars partly out OF
the water.
Did you call me?" he shouted, after
brief hesitation.
"fes, can't get this old engine
started. I wish you would help"
With some skill but much more diff
Guilty he managed to get the rowboat
alongside the motor craft. They were
OF about the same size, for the gaso-
line-propelled vehicle was far from be-
Ing pretentious. 1t was, in truth, sim
ply rowboat In which a one-cylinder
engine had been installed, and 1t was
rented along with the cottage that the
Culbertsons, with whom Anne was
staying at the resort, had leased for the
season.
Anne had insisted on coming after
some provisions that were needed at
the cottage. and she had started out
early In the afternoon for Alanson,
feeling not little conceited over being
the pilot and sole crew OF the miser-
able little craft. The Culbertsons had
expressed misgivings over the venture,
but Anne generally had her own way.
and was possessed Of a reputation for
being self-reliant sort Of girl, SO she
was allowed to make the trip alone.
Everything went smoothly until she
had covered about half Of the ten-mile
journey on the way back, when the
engine went dead without warning. Not
another boat Of any description was in
sight, for 1t was at that time Of day
when most folks are partaking Of their
evening meal. She must have drifted
two miles when the rowboat came into
sight.
Anne breathed a sigh Of relief when
the newcomer grasped the gunwhale Of
the motorboat. and peered over at her.
He had brought lantern, and by its
light she could So that he was rather
good-looking young man Of perhaps
twenty-six. He had on a green shirt
and blue Overalls, and on his head was
q wide-brimmed straw, hat.
She caught glimpse of tin can
and fishpole In the bottom Of the
boat, and In order to be congenial she
inquired whether he had had any luck.
Imagine Anne Davis discussing the
subject of angling with country rus
tic! Imagine Anne Davis, the break
er Of mems hearts back In the big
city, talking Familiarity with denizen
of this country town!
"Fair, fair" he replied. and his voice
seemed to be singularly musical for an
uncultured person. Il got half dozen
-or seven, ! forget just which 1t is.
Hold the boats together. and don't
move, will you, while crawl over and
see IL / can start your engine"
She did as instructed. hoping he un
derstood the business Of getting from
one boat to another. He caused con-
siderable rocking, but nothing serious
and presently he was tinker
ing at the engine, while she held tena-
ciously to the gunwales Of the two
boats where they met.
SCOT it" he grunted after few min
utes' Investigation, which was ham,
pered somewhat by the dullness of the
glow from the smoky lantern. "Loose
battery connection, that's all" She
heard an energetic buzz from the en-
CINE.
.Wait minute; better tie up" he
reminded himself aloud, and left the
motor to attach the painter Of his boat
to the gasoline craft. Returning to the
motor, he gave the wheel spin and
the boat started down stream with a
chug- chug that. under ordinary circum-
stances, was far from musical. but 1t
sounded almost like chimes to Anne In
this particular instance.
.Turn 1t around" she called. sim
eoin9 up the river. II got turned the
other way while we were floating and
| was trying to start the engine"
He soon had the boat breasting the
current, and again she sighed with re-
lief.
.4auess better take you home" he
Its pretty dark now. and
hesides. you look tired. and bcsidcs-I |
.-tan yyavS01f1