The Press., 1895-12-26

cd straight nts1me1 With Q brave ghoW u1 defiance, although the telltale mouth let me know that she was frightened at what she had done was more hutt than words can say, and with a few swift strokes turned the boats head homeward. But I couldn't t bear to leave the ring behind, and determined to dive for it shipped my oars and took of my coat. Virginia pretended to take no notice, Then, watching her closely. began to unite my shoe laces Still she pretended not to see. Then took of my belt and shoes and placed the contents of my trousers pockets in 8 neat little heap in the bottom of the boat.
 Virgiaia's eyes met mine, and she said tremulously, "What are you going to do, George?'' .....
 "Diverfor the ring, Virginia" :"
 "Can you swim?"
 "No"
 I couldn't resist this 6b. It would have spoiled it all if I had told her that I, at Eton, had held the school cham pionship for three years in succession.
 George, dear, can't we let the men dredge for it?' ..-.
 "HoW should we ever remember the exact spot where it went down? Mo-" this with slight touch of melodrama -'I must take the risk. And, Virgie, if should not-not come up, don't you how-tell them that fell overheard !"
 Virginia gave vent to scream. Not one of those staccato notes that the. mention Of mouse will generally bring from women, but genuine scream of fear.
 George, please-please don'tI l am 70 sorry I was jealous and cross and wicked. ,"
 And the tears began to show them selves again, so, without more ado, went to the bow and took a header. l found that the water was only about ten feet deep, but the ring was not to be aeen On coming up for breath, found poor Virginia brandishing an oar over the side of the boat, with a view to sav- ing my life if possible l seized it with much show of distress and waited un- til got my breath. Virginia implored me to come back into the, boat, but was obdurate. After the third dive re-
  holding ont the object of my search. I swan to the side of the boat, and talk ing hold of Virginia's left hand, I placed the ring on her finger. We made many VOWS and promises, and it was not befere some minutes had expired that began to realize that was getting awfully cold. Clambering back into the boat with some difficulty, l pulled to the house as quickly as could. As we came in sight of the lawn Virginia ex- claimed, "Of course there's that horrid Mrs Carruthers waiting for you.
 HorEid, did you say, Virgie?"
 'sOhI I forgot, George, dear, but Mrs. Carruthers. is there, at any rate. What will she :think3 What shall I tell herr"
 "We'A say caught a crab and over- balanced myself into the water.
 But do look as if I had been cry- ingT'
 She did unmistakably, but before I had time. to answer her we arrived at greeted me with:
 Why, what on earth have you been doing?' '.
 Poor George fell into the water, replied Virginia, with a winning smile, land E saved his life with an oar. Didn't 1, George?"
 All through dinner that evening Mrs. Carruthers chaffed me unmercifully. l bore her raillery with great fortitude, and afterward, when Virginia and l were sitting on the piazza in front of the house, we made solemn resolution that we wouldn't break our engagement again for whole calendar month at the very most: :-G ilbert Burgess in Sketch.