The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-30

excited to meFriment at our eccentric
appearance. though the rest OF the
party on the veranda were not so
punctilious; and it was with quiet sat
isfaction that saw one man dragged
away in fit.
For the next few days we kept our
selves in close retirement. as We were
wearing several marks and bruises
which only time AM arnica could ef-
face.
We resolved on our next appearance
to avoid both canoes and broncOs. Sc
arraying ourselves in our tartest raj
ment. and assuming our imported
bored look. We sauntered to the picnic
grounds by the river bank. where Miss
Rosalee and her party were assembled.
10 consequence of the two disastrous
incidents We had experienced in trying
20 make an impression on Miss Rosa
lee. this our third attempt made US
feel decidedly nervous. All the con-
ventional picnic accidents rose up be-
fore us like ghosts.
On approaching We saw that the
widest confusion an6 excitement
seemed to prevail; then oat from the
crowd walked the H E., " Mr.. Junius
Brutus Jonas. Yes, there was no mis-
take. though his appearance was IN
usual.
His elastic step, his nonchalant air.
his patrOnizing smile and his spotless
garb were not with him. At every
move water spouted from his shoes,
spurted from every seam and ran in
torrents from the edges of his clothes
Yes. as the intelligent reade has
already surmised, Mr.. Jonas was wet!
For once he had reached our level.
don't hesitate to say We smiled-in
fact, my amusement was too large for
my collar and l came Lear having
fit.
We suddenly observed that our in
nocent merriment was colby frowued
on by the assembly; and. moment
later, it was explained to Us that Mr..
Jonas was a herO-a real life-sized,
first-class. sensational hero
At the risk of his life and the sure
plunged boldly into the raging tor
rent and snatched the beautiful Miss
Rosalee from the jaws of death-that
is. she would no doubt have drowned.
In time. if the water had sufficient
depth; but, to tell the truth. Poolado
and l afterwards quietly sounded the
water in that locality and found it
only three or four feet deep. There
was NO current, and no holes; and if
she had been let alone she would have
walked comfortably out and saved her
bangs. which. alas! were lost in the
confusion of being dragged ashore.
But of course we could not say all
this to the enthusiastic admirers of
the thrilling deed. and the H. r. 5"
posed as the lion of the hour.
Seue Of the reports placed the
depth of the water at seventy-five
feet. and said the young lady was BE-
ing rapidly swept out of sight by a
furious current, and that she had al
ready sunk four times before the dar-
ing swimmer could grasp her.
All this was too much for Poolado.
We wandered TO our hotel. and he
paced tie Door neryously all day. and
wrote desperately all night And the
result Was letter to Miss Rosalee, OF
which this is a synopsis:
He told her of his uncomfortable
love; hA declared his intention of never
seeing Ter again; he would leave tie
| field to Mr.. Jonas, the man whom
fate had favored in allowing him the
privilege of risking his life to save
the ioveliest girl in the world: and
| he could only hope her happiness
would be as great as his own misery
was deep; etc, etc
The number of hours and the amount
of writing-paper it required to
| compose this effusion were beyond
reckoning. 1t was sent to her by q
| messenger as We rolled to the station
the next morning on our way home.
The following day al the breakfast
table. as l occupied my accustomed
stool at Poolado's e,dow, watching
him listlessly open his mail, he
jumped from his seat. upsetting the
chocolate-pot and nearly overturnine
the whole table. l sprang just in
time to avoid the flying china and
falling chairs As he rushed wildly to
| his room. where / was not slow in
following him.
Already his aveling-bag was in
| his hand, into which he was crowding
lot of articles Then. without one
word or thought for me, he few out OF
the house
Now from experience knew that il
I went unlimited it would simply make
scene; so while / was standing there
undecided. my eye fell on the letie,
which had caused this sudden emo
| ton, and which he had accidentally
| dropped
Behold the contents:
"Yoa Dear Feolish Old Boz: thought even
one knew that Mr. Jonas was engaged TO my
pretty cousin who is now abroad and he seeks
my society simply so that he can find a patient
listener while he enthuses about his absent
| love
IA regard 10 his saving the lovelest girl in
the void IS You so charmingly word if, 1 may
as wen let you into the secret now; il was all
q practical joke We girls planned We made
wagers as to which man would be the first TO
Jump IN after the-supposed- to-be-drowning
gri-
Besides being an expert swimmer, knew
The shaliowness OF the water. But the partsc-
MARS OF all this w II keep till see YOU, winch
trust viii berry sooa