Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-10-09
MY ONE ADVENTURE.

and pretty girls in particular. The pretty
girls found my study of their faces rather
disagreeable, suppose, for met decid-
ed rebuff from little golden haired, blue
eyed fairy, who turned to her companions
and called out:
"See here, girls! Here's specimen of
human nature in the raw state"
Complimentary, Tom, by Jovep' said
Hugh, as turned my observations in an
other direction, attracted by lady who
was leading a little boy and carrying
basket of refreshments.
"What pleasant study you are having,
Tom! Shall you have the problem solved
when get back this evening""
looked up and there was Hugh's hand
some face smiling upon me from one of
the car windows, as the train moved off. l
made o dash for the cars and succeeded in
reaching the rear one and in pitching
headlong into the lap of golden hair and
blue aforementioned
Imagine my feelings! What situation
for sensitive young gentleman
As the cars stopped at Beechwood sta
tion, all the passengers made a general
rush for the door. Much to my astonish-
ment was taken up by the crowd and de-
posted on the platform.
BY Jupiter! The first foot moved put
smash down on the white muslin dress of
the golden hair and blue eyes, tearing and
spelling it irremediably.
She uttered little scream and ON recog-
nizing the author of the mischief exclaim-
ed, Awkward brutep' and gathering up
her ruined trail disappeared in the crowd.
pr iuo in, for odx
lures, should think, said Hugh "Do
you know who that lady is?" said he.
"No. Do you?'
"Yes. She is Miss Nettie Wilford and
that little gypsy with black eyes and curls
is her sister Frankie-daughters of Judge
Wilford."
"Nettie Wilfordv' I echoed in surprise,
for Nettie Wilford was the belle of N,
and had often expressed wish to make
her acquaintance-and had made it!
Was there ever such an unfortunate NOR
tai? Will my lucky star ever predominant?
walked to the grove in a state of mind
better imagined than described. I had
made myself supremely ridiculous in the
eyes Of the lady most wished to please.
On reaching the high land overlooking
the pond on which our pleasure party was
to sail, a lovely landscape was unfolded to
my admiring gaze A beautiful silvery
lake lay ut my feet like jewel in it's en-
erald setting of waving grain.
"How beautiful 1 involuntarily ex-
claimed, but hearing no response from
Hugh turned and found that he was en-
gagged in saluting a lady, whom recog-
nized as the gypsy frankie.
nv1% Hcho kI,a vSfV
bled, patiently awaiting their turn to en-
bark. After time the ladies were slowed
away, their little musical screams and
shrieks hushed and the last fold Of refrac.
tory crinoline adjusted, when the snowy
sails were unfurled to the soft breeze and
the little gala feet slowly left the shore.
Judge Wilford was seated on my right
and Hugh and frankie on my left
Father, where can Nettie be? do not
see her in any of the boats.
just at that moment, before the judge
could reply, saw shoot out from little
cove fairy shallop rowed by the missing
maiden. 1t is the nymph of the lake,
thought I, as gazed on the white robed
figure.
"There, father, there!" said frankie.
As she neared the party the gentlemen
shouted and the ladies waved their hand
kerchiefs. She waved her snowy plumed
hat in return, lost her balance, trembled,
swayed, fell-the blue waves closed over
the bright vision, and the little boat drifted
away.
plunged in madly, but missed her, and
came to the surface In time to see her sink
for the second time.
i,, hot onv,t NJ v,ov nd n
ger that knew loved Nettie Wilford as
had never loved woman before. waited
breathlessly for her to reappear. The sec.
onds seemed ages till the circles Of the
waves told me she was there. reached
her just as the white face rose for the last
time. clasped one arm around the loved
one and with the other struck out for the
shore. BY an almost superhuman effort
succeeded in reaching 1t and placing my
unconscious burden in the arms Of hel
agonized father.
His face wore grave look as he took
Nettie's hand and searched in vain for hel
pulse His directions were quickly obeyed
by assistants, and at length their indie
fatigable exertions were rewarded, as slow.
" the frozen life current warmed in the
blue veins and a faint flush stole up to the
pale cheeks, the eyelids quivered and the
blue eyes opened once more.
stole away, thinking that such re-
union would be too sacred for stranger eyes
to witness.
was soon recalled by Hugh's well
known voice, aging:
Raymond, this way"
retraced MY steps and found that Miss
hoA ,,,%{ nd
Judge was inquiring for me-
my child, said he as I entered the
room, "this Is Mr.. Raymond, the gentle
man who 90 bravely risked his life to save
yours"
Her cheeks flushed as she recognized the
hero Of her adventures during the day, and
her voice trembled as she said:
Pardon my rudeness this morning and
accept my thanks for 60 nobly resouing mt
from watery gfave-a debt which I car
never repay.
"There Is nothing to forgive" said al
I kissed her hand.
After having run gantlet Of congratu
lations and thanks retreated with Hugh
to the picnic grour ds, leaving the rest Of
the party to follow at their leisure. The
remainder Of the day passed pleasantly tt
all / was made happy by Miss Wilford'i
agreeable society, but at last the delight
full day came to close, as all delightful
days must.
As parted with my new found friends
I received cordial invitation to visit
them at their residence, an invitation
was not slow In accepting and improving
Need tell you how, after graduating,
] studied law with the judge and mean.
while studied q far more interesting page
with his lovely daughter. Yorh