Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-04-22

iuotSu hhC pVSeSoH WI tiiC Pottl ~ oiAe
watched the young swimmer surmount
the surf,-white as its foam, grac ceful as
its curling waters. ''Its something to
have seen a live Venus, even in merino,
responded her artist friend, as they joined
hands to meet breaker.
Robert Horton, banished to the land
ward veranda by the accursed convention
alities of an hypocritical society" as his
newspaper friend put it, suddenly heard
scream from the each,-then another,
followed by loud cries for Help"
Springing over the railing ten feet to
the ground below, he bounded toward
the water, hinging his hat and coat from
him as he ran. At the waters edge he
saw huddled terror stricken group of
women, looking with white faces toward
the outer line of breakers. Following
the direction of their outstretched hands,
all fear-paralyzed. he saw the face of
Alice Sterling rise out of the water. Her
white arms were tossed wildly up, and a
gurgling cry came from her lips as she
sank again beneath the wave. With a
bound Robert was into the water, and
with quick powerful strokes reached the
spot just as she rose again.
With a murmured ejaculation that
was half prayer and half caress,
the strong swimmer seized her around
the waist and lifted the dropping head
upon his shoulder, while the loosened
mass of glorious hair, falling far below
her waist, clung like drapery about her
"Oh Mr.. Horton."-is it you" she
exclaimed, freeing herself with a sudden
sinuous movement, and laughingly, 1--WE
had a splendid dive, and don't in the
least require your assistance. Aren't you
afraid you'll wet your clothing: she
asked, with cool but merry audacity.
Then YOU were not drowning, or in
danger exclaimed the astonished young
man.
why of course not can swim like
mermaid, and she proceeded to do
so.
"What made you scream demanded
Robert, with sudden sternness.
Scream: You are complimentary,
must say. was just practicing my
scale,-reaching for high c, if YOU won't
take it as pun.
well, responded Robert grimly, ''in
our country we have custom of dis
couraging false alarms: Injun outcries
for fun, and that sort of thing and
seizing the practical joker by her Medi-
cean shoulders, he ducked her head un-
der water before she could close the ruby
gateway to her double row Of pearls
could shut her mouth, in brief. Rais-
ing her long enough to allow the salt
water to run out, as she gaspcd for
breath, he said: "You remember the boy
who cried wolf when there was no wolf:
and without waiting for an answer,
immersed her again in the brine
When she emerged this time, her anger
had gotten the better of her astonish-
ment, and she exclaimed between her
gasps and sobs,-
"How dare you, sir. You're a-sav-
age-a brute. .-a-a-you're no gentle
man, SIR"
And having reached this denunciatory
climax of her sex, she gave way to her
outraged feelings and started for the
shore, mingling her tears with old Nep-
tunes kindred salt
Robert followed slowly after, quite
abashcd at his conduct, and yet fully
persuaded that the proyocation justified
it. The same night he sent letter OF
explanation and apology to Major Ster-
ling. In the morning the Major called.
and said sententiously, with sly twinkle
in his eye: Served her right. She
might have been really drowning. You
know
The major and he formed quick and
strong friendship. The old gentleman
liked his spirit, enjoyed drawing out his
fund of rare information, and was enter
tanned by the stories sof his adventures,
and the fresh "Westernisms of his
speech. Robert, while admiring the
Majors good qualities, was perhaps un-
consciously drawn toward him as par
tial compensation for losing the society
of his daughter, who had not spoken to
or noticed him since the adventure in the
water
Speaking together, on the day before
Roberts departure, of this unfortunate
occurrence, the young man begged the
father to express his regrets to Miss Al
ice, and assure her of his warm esteem.
"Oh, that'll be all right in time. said
the Major; lit was needed lesson to
her
"Yes; dare say" answered Robert,
rather gloomily, the father thought; but
| believe ! don't enjoy playing school
master at such a cost. However, he
added, returning quickly to his wonted
manner, "a tanned hoyden is the steadi-
est creature of high spirit that lives. A
colt that needs no breaking, boy with
no snap to him, or a girl who has no fire
in her, doesn't amount to much. Miss
Alice will make some man a true and
noble wife,.
''She is certainly all that could ask
as daughter" replied the father warm
Ily; but | suppose | shall have to give
her up in time he added, with fore.
bodirg sigh.
The next moning-his last at the sea-
shore-Robert was out before sunrise fol
his final look at the ocean. Seated upor
a boulder at the base of high rock, h(
i .l 4 Il l..