The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-07-30

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to take Miss Jean in your arms and swim
to shore with her."
~ will do 30 with pleasure" said Mr..
Warning, with look OF mOurnful devO-
ton.
He then leaned over TO Miss Jean
Alleyn, and said, soto VOce, "That is
handsome ring You wear" The ring
was on finger Of the small hand rest
ing on the side of the boat. Mr.. War
ing took the hand, and drew the ring
half from the maiden's finger. Then he
stopped, and looked her straight in the
eyes. "Shall ~" he said, drawing the
ring little further.
II was very curious expression that
came to the face of the maiden. Did she
blush and hesitate? Perhaps the wind
brought the sudden color to her face.
Certainly il was the cause Of the burst of
laughter which suddenly escaped from
Miss Jeans lips. A furious gust Ind
blown off her chip hat, and carried it
dancing over the foam crests. And NJ
quick had been clutch of the ungallant
wind-fngers that they tore down her
hair. The brown curls fell on her shout
ders, and made Il frame for the rosy cheeks;
and looking straight into the face which
was not more than two feet from, Mr..
Warning uttered n sigh which would have
melted tigers.
He was still holding the hand, and
making pretense to draw oil the ring
that small circle of gold which she was
to return when she was tired Of him,
and did not wish to have him love her
any more"-when suddenly the maiden
frowned, and drew her hand away
abruptly.
please let my property alone, sir, !"
she said. But Mr.. Percy Warning still
held the hand, and did not release the
ring. 1t was injudicious, for Miss Jean
suddenly colored. eff You insist, there
it is, SIR" she said, her eyes flashing
through quick tears.
But Mr.. Percy Warming was lucky
that day. He did not suffer from his
blunder. What Charley Walton pre-
dicted in Jest, took place in earnest.
"Look out, cornt!" he now ex-
claimed. "The wind has shifted. Take
care, Miss Jean!"
1t was too late to take care. The
sailboat Yves struck by n furious squat,
and turned over. When Jean rose to
the SUI face of the water she found her
self in the close embrace of Mr.. Percy
W ing, who swan fifty yards with her;
ant. then he touched ground, and carried
her bodily to the little island.
Charles Walton landed near them, and,
seeing that the danger was over, began
| to laugh.
"Was ever such luck!" he cried; "but
ut all events, the count has rescued you,
Miss Jean. l wish could do the same
for my poor sail-boat."
A little fishing canoe was tethered to a
tree near by, and he ran and unloosed it.
"Take care Of yourself, count" he
cried, laughing. "I'm going to tug in
my craft"
The canoe shot from the bank, and
Mr.. Warning turned toward his compan-
ion. Her dress was streaming with
water, and chung close to her person.
Two small feet emerged from the skirt,
and Mr.. Warning stood contemplating
them.
Suddenly long shriu note come OH
the wind from The Reeds landing. The
steamboat, which had stopped there was
about to resume her way, and would
pass near the island. At the same time
a loud halloo came from Charley, who
was Juggling at his sailboat.
81 must CO." said Mr.. Percy Waring,
"Charley will be here in moment, and
will take charge of me-"
Jean looked up Mt him, and laughed
and blushed.
"You are SO beautiful" said Mr.. Per-
cy Warning.
"I'm such a fright! and the water il
trickling down my nose"
"Don't mind it. Good-by, Jean.
There Is the boat" said Mr.. Warning.
He took Ter hand and was drawing of
the ring when she closed her finger on it.
"Don't play with me, Jean-I love
You 80! whether the water is trickline
down Your nose or not, said Mr.. Warning
He drew his white handkerchief and
said:
"There is Charley. Here goes for the
signal. The steamer will send boat fol
me-"
Suddenly Jean raised her hand and
caught the arm which was just making
he signal. 1t was done 30 quickly and
with such energy that an accident hap
pinned to Miss Jean Alleyn. Her boots
were muddy, and she slipped. The con
sequence was that il Mr.. Percy Warinl
had not caught her, she would have
fallen. He did 80 with great prompt
ness, and held her close to his breast
in which graceful attitude they were
found by Mr.. Charles Walton. A burst
of laughter announced his vicinity, ant
he always said afterward that he heart
something. 1t was not much, but il
meant n good deal, it seemed. 1t was
"No, don't go" uttered in whisper
and the whisper came from Miss Jeal
Alleyn.