Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-11-02
HEARTS AND BOATS
BY 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
derk bralds were colled 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. "Tll have time TO
row up to the cove and then have a
good long time to read" she unused
rs 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 againl" exclaimed Amy
In dsmay. "Now can't have my row"
She looked longingly at the boat In the
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 horrld
boys bring the boat in. They're fairly
alught 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 wis
she planning how she would deal with
the boys who had uncerem0nlously
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
to be fairly In before she spoke.
Amy had barely time to notice that
the boat had but one occupant as IL
swung into the channel leading to the
door.
His back looked large. Well, she
would show him. 1t was all the worse
II ne were older
aren't you ashamed OF yourseff A
great big boy Ike you stealing right
In broad dayllghtw
The boat paused and very good
looking young man turned astonlshed
eyes on the girl standing there In evl.
dent wrath. He didn't look a 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 boatr 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 lie lent 1t to ME fol
the afternoon"
A skeptical light came into the grit
eyes. Probably this was one of thoss
smart college chaps from the camp two
miles away. and he was out for lark
She scorched him with a look
That's likely story. The boat II
mine. have no uncle, and certalnl,
never saw you before"
The young man leaned reflectlyelI
upon his oars. He had nice smiling
wrinkles around his eyes for thief
Amy noticed.
81 don't understand this at ALL" h
was saying. Now, my uncle, Mr.
Bowen, said the third boathouse from
the raft. Isn't this the thlrdf"
Light rushed into Amy's mind, an'
color into her checks. "Oh. it's Thu
boat you ought to be ln." Ehe indicates
the one on her other side.
"YOu see" went on the girl cage
to clear things up, 81 am Amy Burt
and this is my boat This other is MI
Bowen's, and You must be Mr.. Bowen
New York nephew. Oh, l am so sor
I ryr
"Too bad but / can't help IT," salt
the young man as he sprang TO tn
wharf beside her and extended hi
hand. Il am Bruce Flske. Ii was JUS
nn accident my being Mr. Bowen
nephew, So"
"Oh, | didn't mean thatw laughe,
Amy. But was horrld about it, nc
cusing you Of being thief"
well, 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 n::!s difference TO the two wheif
er 1t was the Burt or Bowen boa
Sometimes they hardly realized whlc
they were In. On the night before h
returned to New York Amy promise
that she would sail down the sea @
life With him.
And So you'll forgive me for stea
Ing the boat that day." he leased he
as they glided along shore in the moor
light.
81 suppose I'll have to-" she whit
pered, because it gave me the chanc
to steal your heart"
fConvrirht 1919 by the Mcclure NowI