The Lamar register., 1919-06-11
HEARTS AND BOATS
BY GERTRUDE NJ. ROCKWELL.


smock defied the warm day and her
dark brnids We're coiled smoothly
round her head The latest mi; gazine
aud a box Of candy were tucked under
her arm.
Amy consulted the little watch on
her brown wrist "I'H have time to
row up To the cove and then have a
good long time to read" she mused
rs she put the key into the lock.
To her astonishment, instead of the
trim green and white boat an eXpanse
of water met her gaze.
Those boys again .' exclaimed Amy
in dIsmay. "Now ! can't have my row"
She looked lonsingly at the boat In the
other hnlf of the boathou-e. but shook
her hend. Now that's Mr.. Bowen's
and hardly know him to speak to.
Well. IN just sit here till those horrid
boys bring the boat in. They're fairly
caught thIs-time."
Leaving the door aiar, she seated
herself just outside on the grass and
opened her magazine and box Of candy.
But she read very little 50 busy WIS
She planning how she would deal with
The boys who had unceremoniously
"hnrrowed' the boat several times that
summer
At last she heard the swish of the
nars rs the boat rounded the point.
She crept cautiously into the boat
house and waited. She wanted them
ia be fairly in before she spoke.
Amy had barely time to notice that
the boat had but one occupant as II
swung into the channel leading to the
door
His back looked large. Well. she
would show him. II was all the worse
IL he were older
Aren't you ashamed Of yourself7 A
great big boy like you stealing right
in broad daylight :"
The boat paused and very good
looking young man turned astonished
eyes ON the girl standing there ia evil
dent wrath. lie didn't look bit like
tnlcf. with his jolly brown eyes and
mop Of curly hnir. Amy stared at her
gentleman burglar In surprise why.
What-who-how do you happen to be
cut in my boatf" she finally brought
oct.
The young man WAS not disturbed.
why. there must be some mis- axe"
he said, as he pulled In his onrs and
slid into the boathouse. This j. my
uncle's boat, and he lent 1t to me for
the afternoon"
A skeptieal light came into the girls
eyes. Probably this was one Of those
smart college chaps from the camp two
miles away. nnd he was out for lark.
She scorehed him with a look.
That's n likely story. The boat is
mine. I have no uncle. and certainly
never saw you before"
The young man leaned refectlvely
upon his oars. He had nice smiling
wrinkles around his eyes for thief
Amy noticed.
II don't understand this at ALL" he
was saying. "Now. my uncle, Mr.
Bowen, said the third boathouse from
the raft. Isn't this the thlrdT'
Light rushed into Amy's mind. and
color into her cheeks. "Oh. it's this
boat you ought to be In" she indicated
the one ON her other side.
you see" went on the girl. eager
To clear things up. Il am Amy Burt
and this is my boat. This other is Mr..
Bowen's. and you must he Mr.. Bowen's
New York nephew. Oh. am 50 sor-
ry!"
Too bad. but can't help it," said
,he young man as he sprang TO the
wharf beside her and extended his
hand. 81 am Bruce Fiske 1t was JUS
an accident my being Mr.. Bowen's
nephew. So"
'Oh, ! didn't mean thati" laughed
Amy But / was horrid about it, ac-
cusing you of being thief"
'Well. | certainly was caught with
the goods. Now. Miss Burt. it's only
fair that you should let me give you
that ride you wanted
During the month that followed II
made little difference TO the two wheth
er 1t was the Burt or Bowen boat
Sometimes they hardly realized which
they were in. on the night before he
returned to New York Amy promised
that she would sail down the sea OF
life with him.
And 50 you'll forgive me for steal
ing the boat that day" he teased her
as they glided along shore in the moon
light.
"I-suppose I'll have to-" she whis-
pered. because it gave me the chance
10 steal your heart
fC.,vr,1hf 1919 hv thu NcCiurs Nsvs