The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-05-28

DANGER. =,
Afterwards the bank clerk had confused
remembrance Of being called a" coufounded
young idiot" and he resented it with an air
of dignified surprise toward the chaperon
for the rest of the day. u
Aunt Emmelina resigned the oars to the
sauatter when they were in clear water
again, and seemed much troubled because
she had burst her black kid gloves. She
smiled at the surprise Of the party at her
act, and said simply she had been used to
the management OF boats since her earliest
youth.
When the meal was over Aunt Emmelina
felt very much what is popularity known as
"out of it."
Aunt Emmelina was dying for q smoke.
If she could have talked to Esther she would
have sacrificed the desire, but as it was she
merely mathematical the squatter and kept
lingering the pipe ard tobacco pouch she
had carefully put in her pocket, till she
could resist no longer.
Would you like to come out ina boat
with me, my child ?" she said at last
gently TO Thea, who was feeling somewhat
exhausted after a prolonged attack upon
cream cakes.
Everyone remarked how well the old lady
pulled, and Ella waved relieved farewell
from the shore.
Aunt Emmelina rowed Mt rate that would
have fairly electrified the picnickers could
they have seen. Then she gave the oars to
Thea, subsidized into the bottom of the boat,
lighted her pipe, and had a luxurious smoke
that soothed her injured feelings and rut1ed
nerves into placdity again.
"It isn't many brothers would do what
I've done for you girls" she said, as Thea
pulled back again some hours later.
Two or three of the girls, Esther among
them, had strolled some distance away and
were standing on n bowder idly throwing
stones in the dancing water and watching
circles.
A frightened scream broke the hot, quiet
air over the river. Two of the girls were
running frantically about, and the third was
struggling in the water. They all knew by
the sailor hat bobbing about that it was
Esther.
The squatter gave an answering shout and
started running at great rate, taking OF his
coat as he went. But Aunt Emmelna shot
along in front of him. Her skirts were
gathered up in a rough bunch under one
arm, her bonnet hung down her back by the
strings, her gla ses tumbled of, her hair
wobbed about and fell in a gray mass over
her shoulders
jack knew himself 70 be no mean swim
mer, but the skirts tangled his feet and the
tight jacket neld his arms. The squatter
was only few yards behind. Jack struck
out wildly and made rapid pace. But some
body seized him under the arms as be strng-
gled for moment TO free himself from the
jacket.
1t was one of the officers, better swim
mer than either of them.
My-dear-madanl,n he painted, holding
him in a firm grip and trying to swim back
with him, put your.ldnd on my arm-so."
Drown your grandmother" spluttered
Jack, swallowing pint of water, as he freed
himself Cant you see1who | am 2"
The squatter was. aiieful of him; he trod
water for second, and flung off the jacket
that bound his arms ps
He gained the s9uatter; he received
the splash from his circiing boots full In the
face, and temptation MISUNDERSTANDING was
too strong 10 be resisted.i
He trod water again, came up behind his
enemy, planted his heet on his shoulders, and
sent hIm downward with the greatest good
will and energy. I[nlf d Iiozen more strokes
and he was alongside Esther
Jack-o, dear Jack 40, jack" she said,
hysterically, as his wet, heaming face bobbed
up beside her head, tbati she was trying to
keep fat on the waper insa floating position.
It's all right, little griffith said, reassur-
ipgly. Everythings adj right now. You're
as sate as a church."
There was a general roar of laughter as
Jack climbed out and lifted Esther from the
wa:er, little the worse for her adventure
He had left his bonnet and his wig and
his jacket in the water, and appeared in
a white flannel shirt and long, dripping |
skirts.
Joan unfastened the hooks, and he kicked |
them off and STOOD before them attired in
his boating flannels.
Thank heaven" he said Will, pious
fervor. Then an adjournment was made for /
drying purposes to cottage close by, and /
Esther submitted without protest ID the |
supporting arm of her rescuer. The rest of i
the day was confusion and merriment, but |
there were five white minutes at the end /
that spread out afterwards over the whole |
lives OF two people.
How can | eves thank you?" Esther
said and bushed beautifully, for she knew
quite well the way she could.
" In a book" Jack whispered, the hero
aud heroine would he sure 10 marry after
such an adventure aud live happily to the
end OF their lives"
OH" said Esther.
And the heroine would be absolutely
certain to reward the hero with q kiss"
AFTER all, it's only aunt Emmelina," she
aid, with little trembling laugh as her
lips touched his. Then she fled away down
le garden path after the others.
He went into the house again, giddy
with his sudden happiness.
What did | tell you2" said Thea, drop
ping the corner Of the window-blind with
triumphant smile.
2upDesfinn.