The San Saba weekly news. (San Saba, Tex.) 18??-1???, 1891-12-25
A PAIR OF DUCKS.


-Four years ago my father INDUCED in
the luxury Of summer residence upon
the shores Of Lake Erie, and, wind and
weather permitting, it was my daily Gus
tom, soon after breakfast, to swim out to
the waterworks ''crib, about one mile
from our house. At the crib-a solid
stone structure encased in stout wooden
piles-I generally rested for few mo-
ments prior to starting on the return
trip.
One morning, as 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 as still and smooth as a mill pond.
The lake was so quiet that not so much
as tiny ripple washed the water-worn
crib, and for all there was the harbor of
n 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
swimmer, equally as hardy as myself,
was resting and cooling his heels. 1
thought l should like to see the fellow
who could swim a couple of miles alone
just for the fun of it, SO plunged into
the water and propelled myself half way
round the crib.
"How-dYl" I said, as hoisted my
self beside the pair Of bare legs, which
soused considerably, owing to losing my
hold Of the slippery timbers. by mind
was conferred for the moment in the eff
fort to gain firm seat, but as 1 received
no reply to my salutation, I thought to
myself that the fellow must be surIy, or
shy, or tired.
''Tuckered out are you7" 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 and social status which 90
hand in hand with a suit of clothes and
terra frma have been temporarily aban-
doned.
"Have the honor of your aequaint-
= tsn-zier question, uttered in a voice as
rieh and clear as a silver bell but also as
cold and cutting as blast from Hudson
Bay.
Great Scottl
By this time was comfortably and
safely seated, and I turned my head to
behold girl perhaps nineteen or twenty
years old. I vii not attempt to describe
that girl: I 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 glistening 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 I think I may be pardoned that for
some moments felt completely 'fabher-
gasted-' Gradually, however, my senses
returned, and 1t slowly dawned upon me
that l ought to say something.
Pardon me, stammered, 81 never
expected-thatis to say-weIl, you know,
this is a surprise. come out here every
day, myself, but this is tine first time l
ever met aDybody-and lady, don't YOU
seer, pardon me, I hope am not in
-trudingl"
"oh, " she said, as she kicked up an
extra large shower of spray with her
foot, "pray don't burden me 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, Isannot lay claim
70 previous acquaintance, " said 1, but
added, as my normal cheek asserted it.
gelf, Though l do not see why it should
not date from to-day If you do not OBJ
jet lam certain shall not. My name is
Dilwyn John DiIwyn.p
s'But do object" she said, Quickly.
81 ought not to have come so far. but
having got here am a little afraid to
start for the shore without rest. saw |
you coming, and, at first, thought of |
taking to the water But I argued that
! had as good right to this side of the |
crib as YOU, and as l had no reason to |
leave, 1 stayed. But l know nothing of |
you, sir. aud you know nothing of me
and | object TO such informal introduce
tions-indeed, shall not introduce N.Y.
self at all. Now if you are a gentleman,
You viii return to your side of the crib. " |
'Then you will not allow me to &C. |
company you to the shore2"
"Certainly noti"
"fou might need assistance-you say
that you arc tired" /
"Thank you, shall do very we'll"
or course after that l could stay no
longer, SO splashed into the water and |
padded back to my old perch.
/ had certainly received a set back and
been richly snnbbed. but I resolved to
follow Miss ProprietJ, and, if possible,
identify her. So when five minutes later
/ heard her dive into the water, I al
lowed her to gain about thirty yards of
Roadway and then started in pursuit.
The girl was a good swimmer, but l
was better one.
1t was very easy for me to keep up with
her, which l did, although l could tell
she was making for point on the shore
nsarly mile above my fathers house.
Presently noticed that she was slack
euing her speed, ana once she merely
fioated for minute or two, evidently
that she might rest her limbs. But she
went on again, though she proceeded
quite slowly, aud l judged that she was
very tired. She was still nearly half a
mile from land when she stopped again,
and raising her head slightly above the
water, called out, in what was intended
Tor sh9ut, but which was in reality
very feeble vocal efort-''Mr. DiIwynl'
It was evident that the girl was com
pletely exhausted, so I made a squirt,