Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-05-29
A PAIR OF DUCKS.
DY W. II. ATKINSON.


the luxury of summer residence upor
the shores of Lake Erie, and, wind and
weather permitting, it was my daily Gus.
tom, soon after breakfast, to swim out ia
the watcrworks "crib, about one mile
from our house. At the crib-a solid
stone structure encased in stout wooden
pilcs-I generally rested for few mo.
ments prior to starting on the return
trip.
One morning, rs usual, was sitting
upon the low, convenient ledge formed
by the ring of wooden piles, dangling
my bare feet into the warm water, which
was rs still and smooth rs q mill pond.
The lake was SO quiet that not so much
ms tiny ripple washed the water worn
crib, and for all there was the harbor OF
great city only three or four miles dis.
tant, the stiffness was perfect.
Suddenly heard the sound of much
splashing, followed by the previous still
ness, broken only by the trickling of
water.
knew in moment that some enc had
joined me at the crib, and that on the
other side of the octagonal structure n
swimmer, equally as hardy MS myself,
was resting and cooling his heels.
thought should like to see the fellow
who could swim Il couple of miles alone
just for the fun OF it, SO plunged into
the water and propelled myself half way
round the crib.
"llow-dy!" I said, as 1 hoistcd my
self beside the pair of bare legs, which I
soused considerably, owing to losing my
hold of the slippery timbcrs. My mind
was centered for the moment in the eff
fort to gain firm scat, but as | received
no reply to my salutatiou, thought to
myself that the fellow must be surly, or
shy, or tired.
"Tuckcred out are you2" I INQUIRED
in that CHEEKY, free and easy style which
one is apt to adopt when the bounds of
conventionality have been passed, and the
individuality aud social status which 20
hand in hand with suit of clothes and
terra firma have been temporarily aban-
doned
"Havc l the honor of your acouaint-
ance, sir'" came the reply in the form of
n counter question, uttered in n voice rs
rich and clear as n silver bell but also ne
cold and cutting as blast from Hudson
Bay.
Great Scott
BY this time was comfortably and
safely seated, and l turned my head to
behold girl perhaps nineteen or twenty
years old. Twill not attempt to describe
that girl 1 should only disappoint my
self and weary the reader; but as she sat
there in that fresh summer morning. her
wealth of hair coiled into knot upon
her uncovered head, her shapely neck
and arms glstening in the sunlight, she
seemed to me more than beautiful.
In the whole course of my existence I
have never been accused of bashfulness
but l think may be pardoned that for
some moments felt completely sflabber-
gasted. Gradually, however, my senses
returned, and 1t slowly dawned upon me
that | ought to say something.
Pardon me, stammered, az never
expected-thatis to say-well, YOU know
this is surprise. 1 come out here every
day, myself, but this is the first time /
ever met anybody-and lady, don't you
seer, pardon me, hope l am not in
-truding?"
"Oh, " she said, as she kicked up an
extra large shower of spray with her
foot, ''pray don't burden ine with YOUR
apologies. You addressed me so famil-
iarly that thought we must have been
acquainted, and if that were so l had
forgotten the act"
"No, unfortunately, cannot lay claim
to q previous acquaintance, said 1, but
added, as my normal cheek asserted it.
self, "though I do not see why it should
not date from to-day. If you do not OBJ
ject am certain shall not. My name Is
Dilwyn John.Dilwyn." fFr
,"But I do object" she said, quickly.
III ought not to have come so far, but
having got here I am n little afraid to
start for the shore without rest, I saw
you comingr and, at first, thought of
taking to the water. But 1 argued that
l had as good a right to this side of the
crib as you, and as 1 had no reason to
leave, stayed. But know nothing of
you, sir. and you know nothing of me.
and object to such informal introduc.
tions--indeed, shall not introduce nv
self at all. Now if you arc gentleman,
you will return to your side of the crib. .
"Then you will not allow me to ac.
company sou to the shore2"
Certainly notl"
"You might need assistance-you saw
that you are tired"
"Thank you, shall do very WELL"
VI course after that I could. stay no
longer, SO splashed into the water and
padded back to my old perch.
i had certainly received a set back and
been richly snubbed, but 1 resolved to
follow Miss Propriety, and, if possible,
identify her. owhen;tiyoninutes later
l heard her dive into the water, 1 al.
lowed her to gain about thirty yards of
Roadway and then started in pursuit.
The girl was good swimmer, but l
was better one.
1t WAS very aacy for -, a - I.