St. Tammany farmer., 1921-11-26
The Runaway
Cruise
By DOROTHY WHITcoMB.
51515157575l515152 15251S1515I5157515
Copyright 1921, Western Newspaper Union

Helen Perry looked up into the face
Of Roy Lawrence.
"In fact, have no idea Of the where
abouts Of the yacht went on the
young man.
"And don't see how l am going to
locate the Neptune"
II trusted myself to you," said
Helen evenly, the radiant contentment
Of her lovely face not abating ono
whit. you will do the best you can.
Why bother?'
Roy Lawrence gave secret gasp
surprise, satisfaction, delight. He had
been glum all that day. He had
Frightened up at noontide when Miss
Perry, a twinkle Of rash mischief In
her eyes. had suggested that they steal
away from the big yacht In the little
motor boat.
II don't understand It," murmuredl
Roy to himself. "She does not wear
the rosette. She has not alluded to
the letter. She was jolly with the
Girtons all the morning."
They were two of a party who had
come down from Frisco for vacation
cruise. Aboard the steam yacht Nep-
tune there had been Harold Girton,
his sister Meta, Mrs. Bryce, his aunt
and the chaperone of the party, Helen,
the crew and himself.
Both he and Girton were in love
with the beautiful Helen, who was a
close college friend Of Meta. He wrote
Helen note. In 1t he avoWed his
love in an impetuous but manly fash
ion. The next day was national
holiday. They were to have quite
patriotic fete, there along the lonely
South American coast. He enclosed
a pretty rosette. If she could find it
in her heart to smile on his suit,
would she wear it next morning?
He had slipped the envelope under
the door of the room which Helen
and Meta jointly occupied.
IF Helen does not encourage me-"
he tragically decided, Il shall leave
the Neptune at the next port. could
not remain and see her won by a
rival
And the day had dawned and Helen
had appeared. In honor of the day
she wore an upderskirt formed of
stars and stripes and two dainty
silken flags In her hair, but no rosette
and only the same kindly gracious
smile on her lips.
Then riotous morning Of f1recrack-
ers and feasting and music-but not
for Roy. His heart was heavy until
Helen had suggested the runaway
cruise.
A flash of supreme happiness en-
wrapt Roy. He drove the boat
around cluster Of little islands and
gained a free space, but neither up
nor down shore was the yacht visible.
"You see, Miss Perry" he said help
lessly, mo sign Of the Neptune. Too
badl''
"The gasoline Is giving out" he
reported grewsomely.
'aThen we cannot go much furtherr'
inquired Helen.
LESS than a mile probably"
'aThere Is an island with high
ridge OF rocks at one end" suggested
she, indicating the point Of view.
Eyes, see it."
Just barely the engine lasted out
till the island was reached. Helen
carried the telescope. Roy shouldered
a repeating rifle. They left the boat
and began the climb Of a narrow ledge
Of rock that arose like some monu-
ment.
.Why, look!' suddenly exclaimed
Helen.
.The mischief" echoed Roy.
Twenty canoes filled with dusky
savages surrounded the motor boat.
With angry cries the natives rowed
to a short distance. Then the canoes
were steadied. A shower Of pebbles
directed from sings, arrows and darts
came ringing upon the two wayfarers
aloft.
'.This Is seriousl" declared Roy SO
licitously, and he led his fair COM
panion back into the shelter of a
cave. She emerged thence as he fell,
struck by rock from below. She
soothed his wounded head with her
handkerchief. Then she ran back into
the cave-to reappear, however, star
tlinglyl
At a glance Roy saw what she had
done. Helen had removed her under
skir. of stars and stripes. She ran to
the edge OF the rock waving the red,
white and blue, a true banner, to the
angry mob below.
'They see It'll They know it!' she
cried exultingly, and this was true.
One by one the belllgerents padded
away. Somewhere they had learned
the power and glory Of that protecting
flag.
And then she attended to the wound
on the side of Roy's face, so gentle,
SO womanly, that he could not resist
the impulse to catch her hands In a
thrilling clasp and pour out the story
Of his love.
They knew later that Meta, in the
interest Of her brother, had inter-
1cepted the letter Roy had sent to
Helen.
II must tell you something" whis-
pered the happy Helen. Il loved you
all along, but the Gfrtons were so
kind and Meta SO pleading that II you
had not spoken must have been In
fiuenced to give my hand where tfera