The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-17
MY ONE ADVENTURE.


which to study human nature?'' remark
ed to Hugh, as we stood on the platform
waiting for transportation
Hereupon 1 commenced this interesting
study by staring at everybody in general
and pretty girls in particular. The pretty
girls found my study OF their faces rather
disagreeabIe 1 suppose, for met a decid-
ed rebuff from little golden haired, blue
eyed fairy, who turned to her companions
and called out:
''See here, girlsi Here's a specimen of
human nature in the raw state .
Complimentary, Tom, by Jovep' said
Hugh, as turned my observations in an
other direction, attracted by a lady who
was leading a little boy and carrying
basket Of refreshments.
what pleasant study you are having,
Toni 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 of. 1
made 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 feehngsl What situation
for a sensitive young gentleman
As the cars stopped at Beechwood sta
ton, 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 Jupiterl 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 a little scream and on recog-
nizing the author of the mischief excIaim-
ed, Awkward bruteP' and gathering up
her ruined trail disappeared in the crowd.
by Jove, Tom, you're in for adven-
T-1,~, + cold
you know who that lady is?'' said he
'NO. DO you2''
eyes She is Miss Nettie MILFORD and
that little gypsy with black eyes and curls
is her sister Frankie-daughters Of Judge
Wilford''
''Nettie Wilfordr' echoed in surprise,
for Nettie Wilford was the belle of N,
and had often expressed a wish to make
her acquaintance-and ! had made It'll
Was there ever such an Unfortunate NOR
6aR Will my lucky star ever predominates
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 lovely landscape was unfolded to
my adIniring gaze. A beautiful silvery
lake lay at 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 I turned and found that he was en-
gagged in saluting a lady, whom I recog~
nized as the gypsy,' frankie.
On the shore we found the party assem-
bled, patiently awaiting their turn to en-
bark. After a 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
"a RI "a nd
the little gala fleet slowly left the shore.
Judge MILFORD was seated on my right
and Hugh and Fran lie 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 l. as L gazed on the white robed
figure
''There, father, thereP' 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, felI-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.
IL
ger that knew 1 loved Nettie MILFORD as I
had never loved woman before. I waited
bTeathlessly for her to reappear. The sec
Onds seemed ages till the circles of the
waves told me she was there. I reached
her just as the white face rose for the last
time. I clasped one arm around the loved
one and with the other struck out for the
shore. BY an almost superhuman effort
succeeded in reaching it and placing my
unconscious burden in the arms of her
agonized father.
His face wore grave look as he took
Nettie's hand and searched in vain for her
pulse. His directions were quickly obsyed
by assistants, and at length their indie
fatigable exertions were rewarded, as slow
ly the frozen life current warmed in the
blue veins and faint flush stole up to the
pale cheeks, the eyelids quivered and the
blue eyes opened once more.
1 stole away, thinking that such re-
union would be too sacred for stranger eyes
to witness.
1 was soon recalled by Hugh's well
known voice, aging:
Raymond, this way
I retraced n steps and found that Miss
MILFORD had Entirely recovered and the
judge was inquiring for me.
My child, - said he I entered the
room, this is Mr. Raymond, the gentle
man who SO 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 so nobly rescuing me |
from a watery grave-a debt which can |
never repay.
"There is nothing to forgive, - said as
[ kissed her hand.
After having run gantlet Of congratu-
lations and thanks retreated with Hugh |
to the picnic grounds, leaving the rest of |
the party to follow at their leisure. The |
of the day passed pleasantly to |
all I was made happy by Miss Wilford's !