The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-02-04

~ 40 lhcs Sttupeu dDOdTu the SIOOk]
from the tender, Mary noticed with a
queer little pang that Cynthia went
straight to the helm. That had always
been Mary's place, and so many times
had she steered that Jim often told
her she knew the channel better than
he did, and called her the Nancy Ell
lens first mate" Evidently she had
lost her job.
1t was on the return sail that Jim
| said:
II envy you. Whitlock; born and
brought up In the city-that's where
opportunity lies"
"NOt always" returned the other
pleasantly. 81 have found a very good
opportunity located elsewhere than in
the city. 1t isn't mine yet. I'm still
negotiating-but if l get it-well, I'm
satisfied. l supposed you knew 1t.
want to buy your fathers"
''The shoals! The shoals!" cried
Mary wildly.
Jim leaped for the helm. But be-
fore he could grasp the tiIler from
Cynthia's hands the Nancy Ellen
struck, paused. shivered from bow to
stern. then slid onto the outer edge
Of the Barren shoals. Half turned
over, she was transformed in an in
slant from a responsive, buOyant crea-
ture riding the waves to thing inert.
the plaything of the swells which
broke over her.
Fortunately the day was fair and
the wind Off shore. Otherwise she
would not have lasted until the keep
ers of the NarcrOss light, who had wit
messed the wreck, could launch their
mOt0rbOat and hasten to the rescue.
With some difficulty the drenched girls
were taken aboard. The men stayed
to manipulate the ropes with which
the craft was eventually hauled of.
That night Mary, bit shaken up
and weak, sat In the couch hammock
on her little veranda. bathed In the
fragrance of honeysuckle. How strong
Jim's arms had felt about her, the Sec
Ond after they struck! But had his ac-
ton meant anything. or had 1t been in
voluntary, the result of strange i'm
pulse at the moment of possible
death? She wanted to extract from it
the ultimate drop of consolation, for
now that she could report to Jim's
father her conviction that Jim was in
no way responsible for the offer for
the business, Jim's father would sell
out and Jim would 60 to the city.
Some one was coming in the gate.
Bert WhitlOck, to see If she had got
ten over the effects of her near drown
ing? Mott was jim! Quickly he
swung up the walk and veranda steps
over to the hammock beside Mary's
slim white figure.
MARY" he began without preamble,
"are you and Whitlock-r
"No," said Mary sweetly, "we're not.
That is. Bert wants to be-oh, not
me! A girl in the city"
THANK heaven I" breathed Jim. 81
was afraid the fact he was after dads
business meant that he had some ute
riOr motive for settling down here.
And if he hasn't any such reason, he
must be sincere In thinking it's a
good business proposition. But, by
Jupiter, he won't get it! I guess
what's good enough for a city man
whose father owns a whole chain Of
stores so that he knows what he's talk
ing about, is good enough for me.
Particularly when-why, Mary, are
you as glad as all that?"
For Mary's face, lifted up to him in
the white moonlight was shining with
happiness. Eyes. Jim, am" she said.
And your father-what 1t will mean
to him.
Jim reached down and drew her up
into his arms. Sweetheart" he whis-
pered against her hair, "this afternoon
when we hit the reef knew then
what you were to me. Do you care a
little?"
And that Mary remained where she
was, was answer enough After a mo-
ment she raised her head. "Can be
first mate of the Nancy Ellen for
keepsw she asked.
Jim nodded solemnly. "And the cap
tain, too" he promised.