Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-09-23
HEARTS AND BOATS,
BY GERTRUDE N. ROCKWELL,

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Amy made pretty picture a. she
swung along the path TO the boathouse.
Her green skirt and green and white
smock defied the warm day and her
dark braids we're coiled smoothly
round her head. The latest magazine
and box OF candy were tucked under
her arm.
Amy consulted the little watch on
her brown wrist. "rll have time 10
row up TO the cove and then have a
good long time to read" she unused
as she put the key into the lock.
To her establishment. instead Of the
trim green and white boat an expanse
II water met her gaze.
"Those boys again !" exclaimed Amy
In dlsmay. "Now can't have my row."
She looked longingly ut the boat In tbo
other half of the boathouse. but shook
her head. "Now that's Mr.. Bowen's
and hardly know him to speak TO.
Well. I'll just sit here till those horrId
boys bring the boat In. They're fairly
caught this time"
Leaving the door ajar.. she seated
herself just outside on the grass and
opened her magazine and box Of candy.
But she read very little, 80 busy was
she planning how she would deal with
the boys who had unceremoniously
borrowed" the boat several times that
summer.
At last she heard the swish Of the
oars as the boat rounded the point.
She crept cautiously into the boat
house and waited. She wanted them
to 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. 1t was all the worse
II he were older.
Aren't you ashamed Of yourselff A
great big boy like you stealing right
In broad daylight"
The boat paused and a very good
looking young man turned astonlslied
eyes on the girl standing there In EVIL
dent wrath. He didn't look bit like a
thief. with his Jolly brown eyes and
mop OF curly hair. Amy stared at her
gentleman burglar In surprise. "Why,
what-who-how do you happen to be
out In my boat7" she finally brought
out.
The young man was not disturbed.
"Why, there must be some mistake"
he said, as he pulled In his oars and
slid into the boathouse. This Is my
uncle's boat. and he lent 1t to me for
the afternoon"
A skeptlcal light came into the girls
eyes. Probably this was one OF those
smart college chaps from the camp two
miles away, rnd he was out for lark
She scorched him with a look
That's a likely story. The boat Is
mine. have no uncle. and certainly
never saw you before"
The young man leaned refectlyely
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. IsLt this the thlrdf"
Light rushed into Amy's mind, an6
color into her cheeks, "0h. 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, II am Amy Burt
and this Is my boat. This other Is Mr.
Bowen's, and you must be Mr.. Bowen'i
New York nephew. oh, am so sor
ryw
TOO bad, but I can't help It," SAID
the young man as he sprang to thu
wharf beside her and extended hi
hand. II am Bruce Fiske. II was jus
an accident my being Mr.. Bowen
nephew. So"
''Oh, l didn't mean that" laughed
Amy. "But l was horrid about II, nc
cuslng you Of being thief"
swell, certainly was caught will
the goods. Now, Miss Burt, it's onl!
fair that you should let me give yol
that ride you wanted"
During the month that followed /
made little difference to the two wheth
er II was the Burt or Bowen boat
Sometimes they hardly realized whlcl
they were in. On the night before h
returned to New York Amy promise'
that she would sail down the sea o
life with him.
"And so you'll forgive me for steal
ing the boat that day" he leased he
as they glided along shore In the moon
light.