Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-06-11
JOCELYN OF
\ THE BLUE
ARROW LINE
Ey RAY LEWIS

$50 our little girl is determined to
come home" said Captain Mcdonald
slowly. tossing back to his wife the
letter she had given him. What shall
we do about it. Nfolly?"
There's nothing to be done" re.
turned his wife. Didn't you see that
she was going to start ut once? You'll
nave to meet her tomorrow If we dock
In time"
twenty-five years ago, attractive
Molly Steward had brnved her parents
opposition and married Bruce McDon-
aid. powerful young Scotchlnan, with
more skill Mt managing perverse mule
drivers than culture or education. But
Molly had not been unhappy.
Then had arrived little girl so pref
~ even III her first baby days that Mol
~. 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 ut first. then quite definite
~. the parents grew to realize that the
crudeness of the girls surroundings
were not calculated to develop her
nina and character as they wished.
Anu there was the question of educa-
ton. After many hours of anxious
meditation. Molly sat down and wrote
to her widowed sister-and enclosed a
snapshot of Jocelyn.
AS result. Jocelyn went to live with
her aunt in distant city. where she
went to school. learned how to speak
the kings English correctly and how to
dress. There had been money enough
Tor 1t all without any asking of char
ity from the aunt. for Captain McDon-
aid. In spite of diminishing traffic on
the canal. had made good with his Blue
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 Coming 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 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. "rhen could
sketch as I travelled and vet go slow
enough not to miss anything"
AS If in answer to his wish boat
poked her nose around the bend of the
canal-but not the motor boat of his
desire. Instead appeared the head
barge of tow.
Jupiter" cried Jack suddenly. Gan
idea for fart"
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 few
days. compensation to be given accord
ingly.
The man hearkened, then called his
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 1t. "Why,
Il 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 u.s."
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 n prevl-
GUS 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 low rocking
chair I'm the cabin doorway looked up
quickly. Taken off his guard, Jack
stared. unbclievng. Then he bowed,
and said. "Tm going with the tow for
way. Are we fellow travelers?"
Jocelyn smiled. "Tm the captains
daughter" she returned simply. $50 I
guess we are"
Followed long lazy days of leisurely
travel, and the young people soon be-
came oblivious 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
comfortable berth ana months vaca-
ton? 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 It was
well. dad was an excellent parent
and all that but he did have exag-
gerated ideas about the importance of