Deming graphic., 1921-04-12
HEARTS AND BOATS
BY GERTRUDE NJ. ROCKWELL.


Amy made a pretty picture as she
swung along the path to the boathopse.
Her green skirt and green and white
smock defied the warm day aud her
dark braids were collea 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. "I'u have time TO
row up TO the cove and then have
good long time TO read" she mused
as She put the key into the lock
To her astonlshment. instead OF the
trim green and white boat an expanse
of water met her gaze.
'Those boys again!" exclaimed Amy
IN dlsmay. "Now can't have my row"
She looked longingly at the boat In the
other half OF the hoathouse. but shook
ter head. "Now that's Mr.. Bowen's
end hardly know him to speak TO
Wei. III Just sit here till those horrid
boys bring the boat In. They're fairly
Hught 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 unceremOniously
borrowed" the boat several times that
summer.
AZ last she heard the swish OF the
oers as the boat rounded the point
She crept cautiously into the boat
house and waited. She wanted them
10 be fairly IN before she spoke.
Amy had barely time 20 notice that
the boat had but ono occupant as T.
swung into the channel leading to the
ioor.
als back looked large. Well, she
Sould show him II was all the worse
II ne were older.
Aren't you ashamed Of Yourself? A
great hig boy like you stealing right
n broad daylight
The boat paused and very good
cooking young man turned astonishee
eyes on the grl standing there In eyi'
dent wrath. lie didn't look bit like
thief. with his jolly brown eyes ana
mop OF curly hair. Amy stared at her
gentleman burglar In surprise. "Why,
what--w who-how do you happen to he
out In my boatY' she finally brought
out
The young man was not disturbed
i"Why. there must 0e some mistake
be said, as he pulled in his oars and
slid into the boathouse. This is my
rncle's boat, and he lent 1t to me for
The afternoon
A skeptical light came into the gIrl'f
eyes Probably this was one Of those
smart college chaps from the camp two
miles away, and he was out for lark.
She scorchel him with look
That's likely story. The boat IL
mine have no uncle, and l. 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 hs
was saying. "Now, my uncle, Mr.
Bowen. said the third boathouse froT
the raft. . Isut this the thlrd?"
Light rushed into Amy's mind, ano
color into her cheeks "Oh, It's thi,
boat you ought to be in" Ehe lndicatee
the one on her other side.
"You see" went on the girl, eager
to clear things up, II am Amy Burt
and this is my boat. This other is MI
Bowen's, and you must be Mr.. Bowers
New York nephew. oh, am so sor-
ryw
"Too bad, but can't help IT," said
The young man as he sprang 10 the
wharf beside her and extended his
hand. 81 am Bruce Fiske. Il was just
an accident my being Mr.. Bowen's
nephew, So
"Oh, / didn't mean that!" laughee
Amy But was horrld about &, sc
cusing you of being 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 Il
made little difference 10 the two wheth
or II was the Burt or Bowen boat
Sometimes they hardly realized which
they were In. On the night before he
returned to New York Amy promised
that she would sail down the sea OF
life with HIN.
And SO youll forgive me for steal
ng the boat that day he teased her
rs they gllded along shore IN the moon.
light.
Il suppose TIL have TO-" she whis-
| pered. because Il gave me the chance
TO steal your heart
Copyright. 1919 by the Mcclure News
paper SYcdicate)
Recognized a Man.
When one Of the Transports wen,