American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-03-21
HEARTS AND BOATS
sx GERTRUDE NJ. ROCKWELL.

Amy made a pretty picture as she
swung along the path to the boathouse.
Her green skirt and green and white
smOck defied the warm day and her
dark braids were coiled smoothly
round her head, The latest magazine
and q box OF candy we're tucked under
her arm.
Amy consulted the little watch on
her brown wrist. 'Tll have time 70
row up to the rove and then have a
good long time to read" she mused
as she put the key into the lock.
To her establishment, instead of the
trim green and white boat an expanse
Of water met her gaze.
Those boys again !" exclaimed Amy
in dismay. snow ! can't ave my row."
She looked longingly at the boat In the
other half Of the boathouse, but shook
her head. snow that's Mr.. Bowen's
and l hardly know him to speak to.
Well. I'll lust 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, so busy was
she planning how she would deal with
the boys who had unceremoniousiy
borrower the boat several times that
summo<.
At last she heard the swish OF he
oars M the boat rounded the point.
She erept cautiously into the boat
house ard waited. She wanted them
10 be fairly In before she spoke.
Amy had barely time to notice that
the boat had but n occupant MS 1t
swung into the channel leading to the
door.
His back looked large. Well, size
would show him. IL was all the worse
II he were older.
Aren't you ashamed OF yourself3 A
great big boy like you stealing right
in broad daylight"
The boat paused and a very good
looking young man turned nstonlshed
eyes on the girl standing there In evil
dent wrath. He didn't look "A bit like n
thief, with his Jolly brown eyes and
mop OF curly hair. Amy stared at ner
gentleman burglar In surprise. why,
whnt-who-how do you happen to be
out In my bont7" she finally brought
out
The young man was not disturbed.
"Why, there must be some mistake
ne snid, as he pulled In his oars and
slid into the %boathouse. "rhls IL my
uncle's boat, aud he lent II 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, and he was out for a lark.
She scorched him with n look.
That's a likely. story. The boat II
mine. have no uncle, aud ! certainly
never saw you before
The young man leaned retlectlvely
upon his oars. He had nice smiling
wrinkles around his eyes for a thief,
Amy noticed.
81 don't understand this Mt ALL" he
waa saying. Nov, my uncle, Mr.,
Bowen. said the third penthouse from
the raft. Isn't this the thlrdf'
Light rushed into Amy's mind, and
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
20 clear things up, II am Amy Burt
and this liz my boat. This other Is Mr.
Bowen's, and YOU must be Mr.. Bowen'i
New York nephew. Oh, | um so sor
ryf"
to- bad, but I can't help IT," safe
the young man as he sprang TO tn
wharf beside her and extended hi
hand. II nm Bruce tiske. II wns JUS
an Incident my being Mr.. Bowen
nephew, So"
"Oh, ! didn't mean that" laughe
Amy. "But l was horrid about II, ne
nsing rot of being u thief"
"Well, l certainly was caught wit
the goods. Now, Miss Burt, It's onl
fair that you should let me give 20
that ride you wanted"
During the month that followed
made little difference TO the two whet.
er Il waa the Burt or Bowen bon
Sometimes they hardly realized whlC
4 they were In. On the night before |
returned to New York Amy promls,
that she would sail down the sea
life with him.
And 80 you'll forgive me for ste'
ing the boat that day" he tensed h
as they giided along shore in the moo
light
II suppose I'll have TO-" she VIII
pere1. because It gave me the chnn
to steal your heart"
tCopyrixht. 1919. by the Mcclure New
paper Syndicete)
N Recognized a Man.