The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-02-16

''Mr. Thornley,"
''There now. Hetty, don't Mr.. Thort-
ley me. Can you not call me Dick?"
81 might, that is if had known you
longer"
''You call that--farmer, Tom"
"Oh, Tom and / were children to-
gether. That makes difference, you
see."
II suppose so. But, Hetty, tell me.
do YOU love meP" asked Dick, trying
to take her hand in his, liberty which
she did not seem to be disposed to per-
NIT
I-I-let us 60 back now, Mr.
Dick" said Hetty.
II love you, Hetty. Will you not give.
me just one small ray of hope?"
'I-I don't KNOW" responded she.
Dick seemed very much in earnest.
Tom had never, during all the years of
their association. spoken of love. She,
like other girls in common, had deal
of admiration for brave man. And
Dick Thornley, seemed valiant person.
age to Hetty, since he had dared to tell
her that he loved her.
''Who does know, thenp" asked Dick.
T-cannot say; please let's go
back home now," uttered Hetty.
"Will we row the boat, the little boat
down there, up to the stream which
flows by the houseP" said Dick point
ing to small boat near them.
If YOU WISH" said Hetty.
They got into the boat, and pushing
it out from the shore Dick piled the
oars.
A silence fell upon them after the boat
had gone n short distance.
Dick was doubtless thinking how no
could make two pounds do for two per-
sons, when it barely sufficed for one.
Hetty was thinking that this would
all be very nice, if it had only been Tom
instead of Dick.
They reached the inlet to the lake,
where the small stream poured its crystal
waters into the lake.
Dick turned the boat around-hor-
ror!-the frail affair struck against a
rock, and in another instant they were
both precipitated into the water.
Dick, as he went over, managed to
grasp hold of the boat, and Hetty, as
luck would have it, found herself seated
squarely upon the rock.
"Miss Brown" said Dick. ''we are in
predicament"
I'm wet through and through. You
are just too horrid to upset the boat"
cried Hetty.
Strangely enough, the thorough wet
ting seemed to take all the romance out
of both.
Here in the water up to their waists,
Dick hanging on to the shattered boat
for dear life, and Hetty seated upon the
rock, some ten or more yards from
shore, all affairs connected with love
were as something utterly vague to
them.
what shall we do?" said Hetty.
Dick did not reply. Swim he could
not, and he knew if he once lost his
hold he would 60 down, down to a wa
terry grave.
Again Hetty said:
What shall we dop"
A strange sound from Dicks lips
great heavens! the fellow is crying like
q baby.
That was enough for Hetty. And
this man had just told her that he loved
her, and asked her if she loved him.
Now he is crying in the very presence
! of the woman he loves, and does not
seem disposed to offer even a sugges-
ton as to how they shall escape passing
the night here in the water.
"I-Tm sorry that we rowed. II
-Miss-B-B-Brow l guess we'll
both be at the bottom by morning."
blubbered Dick.
"Why don't you do something, Mr..
Thortleyp Swim to shore for another
boat. Do anything to get me off this
horrid rock"
ell can't SWIM"
tom cam,
"Im glad TOTO hear it. II wish
Tom was here"
Hetty then seemed to be possessed of
an idea which she suddenly put into
effect, for raising her voice to its highest
pitch, she cried: tom! Tom! Tom"
''Hallo" voice in tho distance re-
sponded.
"Quick, Tom. Out here in the lake
where the stream f1owsin," cried Hetty,
as she espied Toms form upon the lake
shore.
And then Tom dashed into the water
and walked as quickly as possible to
| IlcbJy, tOOh HCI hio Nttio, gnu " tih
ed back to shore.
"Help! How am l to get ashoreP"
yelled Dick.
"You poor fool! Walk ashore! The
water is about waist-deep. You don't
want me to carry you, do you?" ex-
claimed Tom, rs he walked off towards
the house, Hetty, very limp and drip
ping, walking by his side.
Dick walked to shore. What n fool
he had been. If he had only known
the depth of the water, perhaps he would
not have lost Hetty.
Anyhow, he returned to the city in
the morning; and you may be sure he
never mentioned the little circumstance.
Hetty and Tom were married shortly
afterward. She said the sight of q man
crying had cleared away all doubt, and
she straightway knew that she did in
deed love Tom.
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