Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-10-26
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.

giaring white sand Of the beach, as a
somewhat Hashily attired young man
shielded himself with an umbrella, and
watched the more a,tive specimens of
humanity disporting themselves in the
brine, which was tossed rather tumultu-
ously by strong southerly breeze.
by graciousw he muttered at length,
"That girl in the blue bathing suit had
better be g little more careful; she'll get
beyond her depth"
And he took a few steps nearer to the
bathers-mostly females, one of whom,
a little distance from the rest, seemed
decidedly venturesonle, the receding
waves forming dangerous undertow.
"Fhere!-l thought sol" be cried fling
ing away hisumbrella and dashing across
the narrow strip Of sand, as a cry Of
alarm roseup from the water and blue
clad form disappeared from sight, drawn
under by the backward rush of the
waves.
He met the next incoming wave, but
succeeded in Petting beyond it, as a
white lace appeared in sight and a pair
oi plump arms were held despairingly
toward him.
He was a strong swimmer, and, spite
ofhls clothing. which impeded him come
what, managed to reach and grasped the
l,nperlled maiden ere the saline waters
closed over her again.
His heart throbbed, as her arms
clutcied about his neck, and it seemed
altogether probable that they would
perish together; but he broke from her
rtlllrinD vI lo%
tied 3nanfuly with the turbulent element
so successfully that the next break
er landed them. breathless and ex-
haustet, upon the beach-in safe DO
sltlon, If not q graceful one.
You should keep within the pro-
lection Of the life-l lines" enjointd the
rescuer. SIS he assisted the half-strangl,sd
damsel to her feet.
And moment after she disappeared
in a bathing house, leaving him to cast
ruetul chances at his ruined clothing, and
wonder VINO the pretty girl was whom
he had saved.
And then he realized that he was bare
headed, his hat having disappeared in
the hungry nav Of the waters, that
rolled and tumb led, as though seeking
more substantial victims.
In an Incredibly short space Of time
tie door OF the little box opened again,
and g beWllder!ng vision of lovliness
burst upon him, and in place CT the tran-
TIC, terror-a stricken girl Of few moments
before: he beheid 8 stylishly-dressed
young lady, Eer amber-brown ewes
shining with mirth and her face rirnp-
Ing with smiles, tripping daintiy toward
him,
Il am exceedingly grateful" she said
IN clear, low voice, land feel that
must apologize for being the source Of SO
muc!i Inconvenience TO you. I had no
thought that the water had such power
and she drew her pretty shoulders
with g slight SHY er, as she gazed sea-
ward at the incoming waves.
"Ola--l--p]ease don't mention it,"
stammered the yonng man, who was
little USED to ladies' society. bowling his
iiat'ess head and fun bling in his breast.
pocket, from which he drew g. piece OF
drenched p2steboard, upon whic she
could decipher:
''P. Fillmore,
"Bustou. Mass"
Il ara from the 'Hub," myself" she
said laughingy, her white teeth gleam-
Ing between her ri pc red lips: and her
shapv}y hand drew forth q tiny card
case, from, which she distracted q dainty
bit Of enameied bristcl-board hearins
thu legend:
m :ss Olive Orrinston,
"Ellington Avenue, Boston,"
The heart beneath Peter Filmors Eatu
atad vest gave quick throo as he glanced
at the card and recognized the artistic
cratic locality in which she lived.
II hope, Miss Orrington, you will re
ceiye 40 i'll effects from your INNER
sion"
And then he stopped, confusetlly, as
silver laugh ripped from her full FPS
EXCUSE, bur there is little danger OF
that, az was already in the water; but
l fear most dis a5trous CONSEQUENCE
would have cnsued but for yonr timely
assistance. You are the one who have
suffered" and she looked comnlisera-
lively at his drenched attire and un
covered head.
up bis umbrella, which had been rollin!
defen,elpss head with this, and have
other hats at the house where l an
stopping. Have yo1 friends here?"
Not any" she returned II an
stopping at the hotel yonder."
"And I am boarding at private
house just over the hill," he answered,
as she stopped and looked inquiringly al
him, 'and I consider myself very for.
tunate in making your acquaintance
even under such adverse circum-
stances"
1t was the most grandiloouent speech
he had ever mace, hut he felt amply
repaid by the bright SMILE with which
she rewarded him, and as be sat IN his
clearinghouse that evening nAineless
thrill pervaded his being to which he
had heretofore been a stranger. 1t had
been the custom Of Peter fillmore
for number Of years to throw aside the
duties OF life once in the II months, and
1or few weeks at least to be gentle
man OF leisure. His occupation was the
hard aud rather unromantic one of
blacksmith and carriage-ironer; but he
possessed O soul above that of the COM
mon Vulcan, and when the summer
days grew warm and balny, the leath-
ern apron was cast aside, and behold
the grub was butterfly. The savings of q
year were generally consumed in these
annual recreations, and when they ter
minated he would 90 penniless back to
the shop and patiently smite the glow
ang iron and await the next respite from
slavery.
But this night new impulse was
Gre eping into his brain, and another
more commendable had found lodge
nlent in his heart. The lattor feeling
was admiration for the fair young girl
whom he had rescued, and it warmed
and glowed and lighted up his honest,
not unhandsome face, az be thought Of
her smiling grsciousness and apparent
obliviousness to the fact that he was
only q hard-handed son of toll. And
this thought only helped to augment the
other, for something seemed to be whis-
pering to him that if he could win the
heart of this contiding maiden, he might
thereby lit himself above the necessity Of
earning his bread by the sweat of his
brow.