The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1920-01-02
HEARTS AND BOATS
By GERTRUDE M. ROCKWELL


Amy made a pretty picture as she
swung along the path to the boathouse
Her green skirt and green and white
smock def1ed the warm day and her
dark braids were ceiled 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
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. "Now I can't have my row."
She looked longingly at the boat ia the
other half Of the boathouse, but shook
her head. "Now that's Mr.. Bowen's
and I hardly know him to speak to.
Well, I'll just sit here till those horTtd
boys bring the boat IL. 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
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 % Il
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 yoursslf7 A
great big boy like you stealing right
in brad daylight"
The beat paused and a very good
looking young man turned astonished
eyes on the girl standing there in evil
dent wrath. He didn't look bit like
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 boat?" 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 it to me for
the afternoon"
A skeptical 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 lark.
She scorched him with a look.
'That's likely story. The boat fs
mine / have no uncle, and certainly
never saw you before"
The young man leaned rehectively
upon his oars. He had nice smiling
wrinkles around his eyes for a thief,
Amy noticed.
Il don't understand this at ALL" he
was saying. "Now, my uncle, Mr..
Bowen, said the third hoathouse from
the raft. Isn't this the thirdT
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.
"Yeu 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 yon must be Mr.. Bowen's
New York nephew. Oh, am so sor-
ryT
TOO bad, but 1 can't help it," said
wharf beside her and extended his
hand. II am Bruce Fiske It was just
an accident my being Mr.. Bowen's
nephew, So"
"Oh, didn't mean that" laughed
Amy. But was horrid about 1t, &C
cusing you Of being a 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 it
made little difference to the two wheth-
er it was the Burt or Bowen boat.
Sometimes they hardly realized which
J 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 so you'll forgive me for steal
ing the boat that day." he leased her
| as they glided along shore In the moon
light.
| II suppose TIL have to-" she whis-
pered, "because it gave me the chance
to steal your heart
| Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure News
| paper Syndicate)