Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-11-09
HEARTS AND BOATS
sy GERTRUDE N. ROCKWELL.

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Amy made pretty picture az she
swung along the path to the boathouse.
Her green skirt and green and white
sDock defied the warm day and her
DIRK braids were coIled 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. "Pll have timo TO
row up to the cove and then have n
good long time to resd.p she unused
as she put the key into tbs lock.
To her establishment. instead OF the
trim green and white boat an expanse
u water met her gaze.
Those boys again !" exclaimed Amy
In dismay. Now can't have my row"
she looked longingly at the boat 10 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. III just sit here TIL those horrid
boys bring the boat In. They're fairly
aught this time"
Leaving the door ajar. she seated
herself Just outside on the grass and
opened her magazine and boz OF candy.
But she read very little, so busy wGs
she planning how she would deal with
the boys who had unceremonlously
borrowed" the boat several times that
summer.
AZ 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 AZ N
swung into tho channel leading TO the
ioor.
His back looked large. Well, she
could show him. It was all the worse
II he were older.
Aren't you ashamed OF yourssfff A
great big boy like you stealing right
n broad daylight"
The boat paused and a very good.
looking young man turned astonlshed
eyes ON the girl standing there In evil
dent wrath. He didn't look o 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 boatf" she finally brought
out.
The young man was not disturbed.
) why there must be some mistake
he said. Us he pulled In his oars aud |
slid into the boathouse. This is my
uncle's boat, and he lent 1t to me for
the afternoon"
A skeptical light came into the girl'r
eyes. Probably this was one OF those
smart college chap> from the camp two
miles away, and he was out for lark.
She scorched him with a look.
That's a likely story. The boat II
mine. | have no uncle, and certainly
never saw you before"
The young man leaned reflectively
upon his oars. He had nice smiling
wrinkles around his eyes for q thief
Amy noticed.
II don't understand this at ALL" be {;
was saylng. Now, my uncle. Mr. !,
Bowen, said the third boathouse from
the raft. Isl't this the third?"
Light rushed into Amys mind, ano
color into her cheeks. "Oh, It's thi,
bont you onght to be in" Ehe indicated
the one on her other side.
"You see," went on the girl, eager
TO clear things up, 81 am Amy Burt
and this is my boat. This other is Mr..
Bowen's, and you must be Mr.. Bowen's
New York nephew. Oh. am so sor.
ryT
'Too bad, but can't help IT," said
the young man as he sprang to ths
wharf beside her and extended his
hand. II am Bruce Fiske. II was just
IN accident my being Mr.. Bowen's {
nephew, So"
'Oh, ! didn't mean thati" laughed
Amy. but was horrid about Il, nc.
cuslng you u being a thief" II
We'll, | certaiply was caught with
The goods. Now. Mss Burt, it's only
ihA sNu itl iilt give fOl 4
that ride you wanted"
During the month that followed II n
made little difference TO the two wheth (
ar II was the Burt or Bowen boat c
they hardly realized which 5
hey were In. On the night before he $
returned to New York Amy promised
hat she would sail down the sea OF
lie with him.
And so you1l forgive me for steal
ng the boat that day" he leased her n
Is they glided along shore in the moon c
light ~lt
Il suppose III have to-" she whis II
'ered. because II gave me the chance Il
o steal your heart." a
Copyright. 1919 by the Mcclure News n
paper Syndlcate.) 7