Village Squire, 1978-09, Page 20Guess while I'm sizing her up she has been sort of staring at
me kind of hard too, sort of woman to man thing.
"Super", she says, "Uncle is going to buy Skip's 'Tahiti' for
me."
Now, in case you don't know about this here 'Tahiti' has `the
best record in the world for home-made boats going right around
the world. Skip done one some time back. He had a heart attack
before he could take off on a real rounder, his big dream.
1 just stared at her, my eyes popping and my mouth likely
hanging open, too. "Geez".
"Right now I'm twentv-three, and I've been sailing since I was
nine. I want to take the boat around the globe for Skip, since he
can't. We get along OK. You need a bit more seasoning. In an
emergency, you've got what it takes for patching up."
"That's pretty tight quarters for a guy and a dame for a year or
more."
"1'm thinking of that, too, Super," she came across the
cockpit to my side, sat down hip to hip beside me and put a hand
on my knee. '
"I'm asking you to marry me".
Well, you could tell me I won the Irish Sweep and I'd not be so
knocked for a loop. I jumped up on my hind legs and glared at
her.
"The hell you say. You get someone else for your fancy man. I
belong to me and the big sunshiney world and no One else. You
get that straight" and I waved my finger *under her turned up
nose. we are so close in the cockpit.
She jumps up, too. Somehow, the towel comes loose on her
head and slips to the deck. Her hair is flaming like crazy and her
blue eyes shooting sparks. She knocks my hand from under her
nose and does her own pointing.
"You listen, you darn welfare bum. The only difference would
be that instead of the long suffering public paying the shot to
keep you in grub. I'd be doing it. Keep that in mind, dammit."
We just stood there glaring at each other. Suddenly she starts
to giggle. I simmered down a bit.
"Martin", it's the first time she ever used my real name,
"Uncle is a really sweet old dear. He's anxious to see me
married. There's not a man here at the bay or at home,in winter
I'd go up the aisle with at any price. You're a good worker when
you take a job, you're no skirt chaser, and 1 don't think, with your
simple • living habits, you'd be tempted to go berserk with a
fistfull of bills. I know from Skip you read a lot in your spare time
and not just dime novels. And you don't booze it up. OK?"
I nod.
She goes on;.
"Storybook heiresses usually look like Grace Kelly or Audrey
Hepburn. I don't. One day I just might get pretty broad in the
beam if I don't watch my diet. It runs in the family. I've also got a
temper, as you've seen. I like you a great deal and I honestly
think you like me."
She might have dropped her head, bat she kept looking
straight at me.
Again I nod.
"Given half a chance a deal like this could turn into the kind of
love affair that lasts and lasts."
She held out her arms and darned if somehow I find my arms
around her for the first time. She looks up into my face and I look
down into hers. There's sort of a glow in her eyes and her lips
frame, "is it a deal?" I can feel her heart pounding against my
ribs, and there is that soft scent of clean, sweet female in my
nostrils.
My arms go around her so tight I can feel the breath squeezing
out of her onto my chest.
"Lady, I've just realized how smart your Mom was when she
named you Presephone. I've a hunch it will always be spring in
my heart. It's just plain crazy, but so is life."
Percy is a practical gal.
"Up anchor and let us look for a minister." 0
Fall for
Benmiller
The charm of Benmiller Inn's secluded
valley setting turns into spectacular
beauty when touched by Autumn's
colours.
And what better ending'to a fine fall
day than the distinctive delights of
Benmiller cuisine, and a quiet drink
by the fireside?
Come and spend some golden
moments with us this fall. Savour the
exciting new dinner menu .. .
featuring local items such as trout,
pheasant, rabbit, lamb, beef, and
fresh market vegetables. For
luncheon, enjoy our tastefully
presented hot and cold buffet.
In crisp autumn air, enjoy the
pleasures of superb food, excellent
service, and warm atmosphere.
Benmiller Inn is located 7 kilometres
east of Goderich on Huron County
Road 1, just off Highway 8.
Benmiller
Inn
For reservations:
Call Neil, our head waiter
(519) 524-2191
Benmiller Inn,
R.R. 4, Goderich
N7A 3Y1
VILLAGE SQUIRE/SEPTEMBER 1978. PG. 19.