the old man's face at these
words. But so engrossed was Betty with her own thoughts that she
noticed nothing amiss.

"I am going to be a nurse some day," the girl continued. "Just as soon
as I am old enough I am going to enter a hospital. Then when I get
through I can earn so much money and be such a help at home. And I'm
going to help you, too," she added as an afterthought.

"No, child, that will not be necessary then," David replied. "I shall
have plenty of money of my own by the time you are a nurse. I shall be
manager of the biggest company the country has ever known, for it
cannot be long now before people realise how wonderful is the scheme I
have worked out. They have been very slow to see, but I am sure that a
great change is soon to take place."

"But you might be sick, though," the girl insisted, "and will need me
to nurse you. I won't charge you anything, for I shall gladly do it
for nothing because it will be you."

"Oh, I wouldn't let you do it for nothing," was the reply. "I shall
pay you well and make up for all your kindness to me now when I am so
poor."

In this manner the two sat and talked. Happy were they for the time,
thinking and planning of the future which looked so bright in their
eyes. Neither did they notice for a while where they had drifted, for
a stiff wind had risen and was drawing down the creek. It was Betty
who first realised their situation.

"Oh, look where we are!" she cried, seizing the oars, and placing them
in the row-locks. "We can never get back against this wind, and the
water is getting rougher all the time. I believe it is going to rain."

"Let me row," David suggested. "I should be stronger than you."

"Did you ever row?" the girl asked.

"Only once. But I think I could do it, though."

"Well, I don't think you could. You're not nearly as strong as I am."

With that she settled herself to the task of pulling back into the
creek against the wind which was dead ahead. For some time there was
silence as she toiled steadily at the oars. Gradually, however, her
strokes became weaker, and she was forced to rest.

"I can't do it," she gasped. "The wind is too strong."

"What are we to do, then?" David asked.

"Land on that shore over there. I guess we can reach it all right."

Again seizing the oars, she swung the boat partly around and pointed
for the shore. It was much easier now, and she made considerable
progress. The wind increased in