The other girls were talking in excited whispers, paying no attention to the shouts which came from the other boat. But now they had reached the east shore, and would have to tack in order to gain the boat house. In this they wereat a dis advantage, as the fellows knew more about sailing under difficul ties than they did, and once more the pursuers gained slowly. Both boats were plowing along under a stiff breeze, the boys en joying keenly the excitement as they bore steadily down upon their fair prize Winnie alone was sitting upright at her post, her gaze intently fixed upon the dark outlines of the boat house far in the distance, and never once glancing back, although by the sound of their voices she realized that the enemy was upon them and the race would soon be over. The other girls had turned their backs to the enemy, highly indignant at their persistent obstrusiveness. The fellows became silent as the boats drew nearer, and Jack stood leaning over the bow ready to make fast to the other boat the moment they should touch. Nearer and nearer they drew, not a word was spoken on either side, the silence broken only by the splash of the waves against the boats, two rods, a rod, ten feet, two feet, and Jack, with a cry of exultation, reached out and drew the two boats together, looking down on the girl beneath him. As the two boats touched, Winnie, with a cry of anger and a look of deep scorn on the sweet face, glanced squarely into the handsome face above. But the frown was quickly swept away, the rope slipped from her hand allowing the sail to swing free to the wind, while she clasped the hand extended toward her, and the exclamation which burst from her lips caused the other girls to look around in astonishment. The two boats swung together, introductions follpwed, and the parties sat chatting merrily, while Jack and Winnie were talking in low tones of subjects which they did not consider interesting to the others. But realizing the impropriety of such a meeting, after a promise to allow the fellows to call at the Seminary, the girls turned their boat homeward, and as they neared the landing, faintly over the water, Jack’s voice sounding above the rest, came the strains, “ Good night, ladies, we’re going to leave you now.”
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers