The Press., 1920-06-17
JOCELYN OF THE BLUE
 ARROW LINE
By RAY LEWIS
C. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicat

|
 "There's nothing to be done," re turned his wife, "Didn't you see that she was going to start at once? You'll have to meet her tomorrow if we dock | in time"
 ! Twenty-Five years ago, attractive Molly Steward had braved her parents opposition and married Bruce McDon- ald powerful young Scotchman, with more skill at managing perverse mule drivers than culture or education. But Molly had not been unhappy. Then had arrived a little girl so pret- ty even in her first baby days that Mol ly. searching her brain for the dainti- est name she knew. named her Jocelyn. And the child grew up to fit the name slim, graceful, with softly curling Sun-kissed hair and eyes like blue vel vet pansies.
 Vaguely at first. then quite definite ly. the parents grew to realize that the crudencSS of the girls surroundings were not calculated to develop her mind and character as they wished. And there was the question of educa- ton. After many hours of anxious meditation. Molly sat down and wrote to her widowed Sistcr-and enclosed a snapshot of Jocelyn.
 As Il result, Jocelyn went to live with her aunt In Il distant city, where she went to school. learned how to speak the kings English correctly and how to dress. There had been money enough for it all without any asking of char ity from the aunt, for Captain McDon- aid, In spite of diminishing traffic on Arrow line barges.
 AS the years passed the girls visits to her father and mother had become less frequent, and they, considering the girls welfare. had been satisfied. Now. sudden and unexpected, had come her letter saying that she was "tired of be- ing away SO long from her own home" and that she was looming before they could tell her not to-"
 Jack Stafford threw his portfolio down on the bank of the canal, re moved his straw hat and mopped his brow. Tramping the towpath on hot August afternoon, even in the interests of a free lance story on the Passing of the Old Erie" wasn't altogether de lightful.
 "A nice. slow motor boat that would steer itself would just about hit me off," he grumbled. "Then I could sketch as I travelled and yet go slow enough not to miss anything."
 As if In answer to his wish a boat pOked her nose around the bend of the canal-but not the motor boat of his desire. Instead appeared the head barge of a tow.
 "Jupiter!" cried Jack suddenly. "An idea for fair!'
 And when the barges drew abreast he stepped forward. picked out the man who seemed to be in charge and begged of him board and lodging for a few days, compensation to be given accord ingly.
 wife. "MOlly, this young man wants to take trip with us; can we put him up"
 On the lips of his wife formed refusal. Then she checked it. "Why if there is room on one of the other barges. Our daughter has just come home and our hunks are full, but you're welcome to, take your meals with us."
 So Stafford found himself installed and started on the plOdding journey to Buffalo. The tow had been held up awhile at one of the locks as previ- l ous string of barges was put through. Jack had climbed out to sketch the dock.
 As he swung back to the forward barge, the occupant of a low rocking chair in the cabin doorway looked up quickly. Taken off his guard, Jack stared. unbelieving. Then he bowed, and said, "I'm going with the tow for way. Are we fellow travelers?"
 Jocelyn smiled. "I'm the captains daughter" she returned simply. "So guess we are"
 Followed long, lazy days of leisurely travel. and the young people soon be- came oblivous to all but each other.
 Long ago Jacks article on the old ca nal had lost much of its importance. Why worry about outside occupations when fathers considerable business would some day be hiS-a business which in the meanwhile gave him a comfortable berth and a months vaca- tion? And yet-if 1t wasn't for his de- pendence on his father wouldn't he per hapS allow himself to think of this glorious girl more seriously? As 1t was well, dad was an excellent parent and all that. but he did have exag- gerated ideas about the importance of family and all that sort of thing. If his son ever suggested such contin- gency as marriage with a barge cap- tain's daughter. dad would go up in the air and Jacks prospects along with him.
 But the little god of love seldom takes into account the parents of his victims One stormy night Jocelyn and Jack stood together on the prov of the ] barge peering into the night for the lights of the lock ahead, and thrill ingly conscious of the nearness of tn other. sudden gust. fragrant with unshed rain. caught the fold of the girls ulster and, to steady herself. she grasped at what she thought was the sls eve of Jacks coat. It proved to be his hand. At the sudden touch Jack forgot his father, his business-every- thing but the girl at his side.
 "JOcelyn" he cried hoarsely and folded her in his arms.
 And JOcelyn, her velvet eyes lifted to his, let him see the love and surren- der in them.
 You're going to marry me, girl " he said, shaking her little to emphasize his seriousness, "as soon as we can get the license after we dock"
 "All-all right" said Jocelyn, breath less, but happy.
 True to his word, Jack, the day the tow reached port, went up to the city hall to make Investigations. Then he went around to the post office for his accumulated mail-bills, a letter from