Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-11-16
HEARTS AND BOATS
BY GERTRUDE NJ. ROCKWELL.

Amy made 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
dsrk braids were coIied smoothly
round her head. The latest magazine
and a box OF candy were tucked under
her arm.
Amy consulted the little watch on
aer brown wrist. "rll 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
rim green and white boat an expanse
" water met her gaze.
Those boys again =" exclaimed Amy
In dismay "Now can't have my row."
She looked longingly ut the boat ia the
other half OF the boathouse, but shook
her head. "Now that's Mr.. Bowen's
md ] hardly know him TO speak TO.
Well, ~ just sit here I'LL those horrid
boys bring the boat In. They're fairly
nught this time.r
Leaving the door ajar. she seated
heI<rif lust outside on the grass and
orehed 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 unceremonlously
borrowed the boat several times that
ummcr.
~ last she heard the swish Of the
ears MS the boat rounded the point.
she crept cautiously into the boat
house aud waited. She wanted them
n he fairly In before she spoke.
Amy had barely time 10 notice that
'lie boat had but one occupant as r.
swung into The channel leading to the
loor. -
His back looked large. Well. she
<ould show him. II was all the worse
II ne were older.
Aren't you ashamed Of yourselff A
;Irnt big boy like you stealing right
broad daylight"
The bont paused and very good
ooklng young man turned astonislles
Eyes on the girl standing there In evl
lent wrath. He didn't look a bit like
thief with his Jolly brown eyes and
mop Of curly hair. Amy stared ut hei
gentleman burglar In surprise. "Why
wlat-who-hOw do you happen TO be
out In my boatr she finally brought
out.
The young man was not disturbed
lao.
he said. Us he pulled In his oars ana
slid into the boathouse. "Thls Is nv
1ncle's boat, and he lent II TO me fol
the afternoon"
A skephcal light caue into the girl'I
eyes. Probably this was one OF those
smart college chaps from the camp two
miles away and he WAS out for lnrl,
She scorched him with look
THAT'S likely story. The boat IL
mine. have no uncle. aud certainly
never saw you before"
The yOung man leaned refectivels
upon his oars. He had nice smiling
wrinkles around his eyes for thief
Amy noticed.
was saying. Now. my uncle, Mr.
Bowen, snld tho third boathouse from
the raft. lsIt this the thirdf"
Light rushed into Amy's mind. nnc
color into her cheeks. ooh. it's thi,
boat you ought to be in" Ehe indicates
the one on her other side.
You see" went on the girl, eager
to clenr things up. ~ am Amy Burt
and this is my boat. This other Is Mr..
Bowen's, and YOU must be Mr. B0wen's
New York nephew Oh, am so sor-
ny"
Too bad. but can't help t." sale
he young man as he sprang to thu
wharf beside her aud extended his
hand. II nm Bruce Fiske. II was lust
IN accident my being Mr.. BowenS
nephew. So" II,
"Oh, didn't mean thatl" laughed
Amy. "But was horrid about 1t. nc.
'uslng you % being II thief" Z
We'll, certainly was caught witt
he goods. Now, Miss Burt it's only h
fair that YOU should let me give yor )
hat ride you wanted" !
During the month that followed II
made little difference to the two wheth
n II was the Burt or Bowen boat.
they hardly realized which
hey were In. On the night before he
10 New York Amy promlsee
hnl she would sail down the sea OF !,
ife with him.
And 50 you'lI forgive me for steal =
ne the bont that day" he leased her q
is they gllded along shore in tho moor. n
light. n
81 suppose III have to-" she wills -
'ered, because 1t gave me the chanc, a
o steal your heart" q
Copyright. 1918. by tho Mcclure News II
paper Syndlcate) "