Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-07-10
A SUMMER EPISODE.

~ iooiisni OF hnc WOulu never nave tnOuRnp
Of such thing. But she did think OF IL,
and sitting down upon the bank OF tho
little stream she looked carefully about
Der first and then slipped OF her dainty
kid shoes and dainty silken hose and laid
| them beside her.
Then she dipped one small foot into the
water and shivered, but putting II back
again she grew bolder, and finally, catch
ing up her skirts 10 prevent their getting
wet, she stepped down from the bank and
walked gingerly out into the little brook.
For the last two weeks she had longed
TO do just this, for she had not "waded"
since she was mere slip Of u girl, and
now that the opportunity offered she had
taken advantage of 10 without the slight
est hesitation.
The clear water rippled around her slim
ankles for a moment as she stepped in.
and then as she moved cautiously along
the smooth bottom IL rose about the pretty
rounded limbs and gurgled around them
and laved them as II it recognized the
priceless privilege 1t was taking. She
laughed as she heard and felt it-a happy,
childish laugh-and, STOPPING. thrust her
hand into the cool waters and picked up
some pebbles from the bottom. An i'm.
pudent robin, swinging on a willow near
by, cooked his head upon one side as she
did this and Dyed the latter day nymph
with birdish approval from head TO feet,
while she steadied herself for a moment
and threw the small stones at him.
As she stopped 10 get another handful
OF ammunition-for Of course she missed
the enthusiastically there came floating
by her just beyond her reach q something
which struck her dumb with consterna-
tion for moment IL was pretty band
Of yellow elastic with huge bow Of like
hued ribbon and dainty gold buckle on
one side of it, and not two minutes before
she had loft 1t upon the bank with her
stockings and shoes and the other some
thing, which was black. And now IL had
the impudenoe TO follow her example and
try the water and was floating serenely by
her as she stared at It.
With a desperate little Jump she sprang
after II, but tho wicked bit Of silk and
elastic and gold only doated still farther
out Of her reach, and the next minute was
caught In the current Of the stream, and
had slipped rapidly away from her, and
was fast disappearing around tho little
bend ahead. And the buckle and bow
We're tripmphantly resting upon the crest
of the tiny waves.
"Oh, you hateful thingi" she cried II
hope you'll sink and never be found again
II any one should pick you up But
the awfulness Of this suggestion was too
much for her, and she splashed tearfully
back 10 where the other lay and sat down
upon the bank, one foot stirring angrily
at the sand just In the edge Of the water
while she thought.
Five minutes later Dick Hardesty, few
hundred yards below where she sat, looked
up from his novel from where he lay In o
cool retreat beside the stream and saw a
peculiar little boat come floating his way.
Wondering what 1t could be, he turned
over lazily and fshed IL out Of the water
with a twig and placed IL carefully on his
palm to gaze at AS he did so a smile Of
mingled triumph and satisfaction came
over his pleasant face.
This is lucky, by Jovei' he said to
himself, looking closely at the buckle
which had refused to sink the dainty ship.
I'D. l.. K.-as I live, it's Dorothy's And
II that's the case r. Then he stopped
and chuckled to himself with glee, and
getting to his feet he folded the bit of silk
and gold, from which he had shaken the
water, carefully up and placed It In his
pocket. Then he started cautiously up tho
stream, upon a voyage Of discovery per-
haps.
Two days before Dorothy had refused
him--it was her second proposal only
and had laughed at him when he looked
rather cut up over IL. IL was his time to
laugh now and hers to look worried, for
he intended to have his revenge and the
girl In the bargain.
When he reached the secluded little pool
whore she had ventured. he found her
curled up on the opposite bank with
very woebegone yet determined look
about her mouth and her skirts well
spread out, as If she had heard him COM
ing and had been warned In time.
For moment Dick did not speak. Then
he said smilingly:
why Miss Dorothy, who would expect
to find you herei Lovely day, isn't itf"
She colored slightly, for she knew he
was merely trying 70 prolong her embar-
rassment, and determined not to let hun
see how very Disconnected she was.
But though she kept silent Dick could
not refrain from smiling as he caught
sight of u bare foot, which showed beneath
her skirts now, and catching his glance
she burst out furiously:
"Dick, want you TO go away this very
minute. Do you hear mef Right awayr'
II do, my darling" replied Dick grave
ly, but I'm sorry to say can't do what
you want me TO In this case-at least not
right away. / came 30 make n bargain
with you" he added, and then he drew
from his pocket the dainty garter.
"Do you want itS' said he.
NO answer.
For II you do I'm willing TO part with
it-for a consideration. Take back that
answer You gave me the other day-reverse
your decision, IN fact-and this Is yours.
viii youf"
Give me that-that hateful thing"
she cried not deigning TO answer him.
Certainly, dear, as soon as you say that
you'll have me. Otherwise-well, 10 has
the full initials, you know" and he began
TO wrap 10 up again carefully.
She hesitatod for a moment with the
tears Of vexaGion trimming over her pretty
| eyes, and then she gave up.
mo, no, not" she cried. Don't you
dare to, Dick. You shall not. say you
oh, you wicked, hateful wretchl Yes
then, II I must say I'll Now, give Il to
me quick and turn your back till count
a hundred.
And he did so, with quiet smile Of
oontentment.-E. ]. Appleton In Cincin.
natl Post.