The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-28
IN THE SWIM.

With all the assurance in the world Miss
II. went to the ticket window of the famous
natatorium, laid down n 50-cent piece and
received in exchange a small red ticket.
The next step is the procuring of a bathing
suit, 30 following the crowd she finds her
self standing at a counter as high as the
regulation lunch counter at a railroad eat
ing house and over which presides a lady
and gentleman. The lady said, '"Ticket,
please. What size bathing suit do you
wear?'' She laid down the ticket with the
air of one accustomed to taking a plunge
every day, but hesitated as to the size of
the bathing suit she would require. Finally
she said: 81 wear a No. 4 shoe, No. So hose,
No. 36 vest and a No. ~ hat. but l hardly
know what size of bathing suit / would re-
quire." Size &c was given her-black jersey
with white stripes on collar, sleeves and
skirt: also a key with a small wooden tag
attached on which was the figure 8. She
walked slowly down the promenade, Rlanc-
ing first at the KEY and then at the doors
until she came to the desired room.
A suspicion was in my mind that she was
a novice, and | decided to watch the pro-
%ceedings. The door of No. 8 closed after
her. l waited about ten minutes then saw
the door of No. s open stealthily then close
again. This was repeated three or four
times till Mt length growing holder she
steps out, g%lances at the spectators then
down at her bare feet, then makes a rush
for the steps. When her feet strike the
water a slight scream is heard, and az she
descends and the water becomes deeper an
| 1rnrju1nr 0pu, 10 Rnfih1a Tfa pLLr,x,,
ated skirt refuses to go out of sight, 80 pro-
vokingly floats Upon the surface of the
water. With great caution she goes step
by step along the waters edge, one white
arm raised to grasp the iron railing and the
other holding down the skirt. Finally a
gentleman acquaintance, catching sight
of her and noting how cautiously
she proceeds swan to her and Selling
her by the arm said: "What're you afraid
of, can't you swlm?" Astonished at being
seized Ill this manner she let go her hold of
the iron railing and loosing her balance
fell headlong into the water. Gasping,
gurRling ana spouting like Il whale her
companion raised her to the surface. With
a despairing groan. an oh-why- were you-so-
cruel look in her eyes, and an upward fling
VI eHt hiMs hHo phbpcu, MY bangs are
spoiled, | can never go home in the cal
looking So" What does John care fol
bangs or ~trizzes, he is never troubled witt
his hair. Deeper and deeper he propeli
her then places her on the pedestal. She
endeayors to hide her feet with her dress
but finds it much too short. Not daring l.,
get down from her lofty position and hel
tormentor being too far AWAY for her t.
call to him she sits still and wonder
why men are 30 mean and VIII,
bathing suits are made of 80
) little material. BY and by back come,
/, John and tells her if she will get down h
!, will teach her to swim. Only too glad to 90
from the pillar she trusts herself again I.
him. Taking his hand she slides down, bu
not being an adept grazes her elbow, caus
ing her again to say, 80, dearr'
, Now, throw your head back. keep you
I mouth shut, aud make your feet and hand