The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-25
| room enough for US both IN the Allan.

tic Ocean"
And Miss Milfoil struck out scien-
tifcally, gliding through the waves
like a new variety of fish, with dark
blue scales, and straightway forgot
oil about the troublesome old bach
elor.
"It's very strange" said Mr.. Nc
Corkindale, revolving around and
around, like q steam paddle-wheel.
"a log floats, but I can't seem to
manage it without the help of my
arGcs and legs. I've always under
stood that swimming was a very easy
business, ouf-ah-h-whust-
sh-sh! Helpl helpl Pouf-f-fl I'm
drowning! The undertow is carrying
me out, and I can't help myself!
Whush-sh! Oh! ah! help! he-e-e-elp"
And Mr.. McCorkindale's voice lost
itselfin a bubbling cry, while the deaf
old fisherman upon the shore went on
whistling and mending his net, and
the solitary individual, who was pick
ing up shells with his back toward the
surf, never dreamed but that the stout
gentleman was diving for his own
amusement.
But Matte Milfoil, cleaving her
way steadily through the waves, per-
ceived in moment that something
was wrong.
Mrs. Sweetclover tainted away when
they laid the boarder on pile Of
blankets on her kitchen floor.
She was one of those nervous ladies
who always faint away at the least
provocation.
Bst Matte had all her senses about
her; and, thanks to her courage and
presence of mind, Mr.. McCorkindale's
life was saved.
"What is that rattling on the stairs?"
he feebly inquired, as he sat up, the
next day, in an easy-chair, with cur
ious sensation, as if a gigantic bunlble-
bee were buzzing in his head, and
cataracts pouring through his ears.
"It's Miss Milfoil's trunk going
away" said Mrs. Sweetclover, with
sniff of regret.
"Tell her not to co." said MIR. Nc
Corkindale.
"Sir!" said Mrs. Sweetclover.
"Do you think I'm going to turn
the woman who saved my life out Of
doors?" puffed Mr.. McCorkindale.
"But thought you objected to wo-
men," said Mattie's cheerful voice out
side the door.
GIVE changed my mind" said Mr..
McC Corkindale, with huttering SEM
blance of smile. ga man is never
too old to learn. And I mean to learn
to swim next week, if you will teach
me-"
He did learn. Miss Milfoil taught
him. And the old bachelor and the
old maid spent their month at'the sea-
side, to use Mrs. Sweetclover's expires.
sion, "as quiet as two lambs"
81 DECLARE" Mr.. Corkindale pen-
sively observed, on the afternoon be-
fore his term was up, 'I shall be very
lonely after I leave here!"
"Youll be going back to the city,
you know" cheerfully observed Miss
Milfoil.
"But T shall miss you" said the
bachelor.
"Nonsensel' said Matte.
'I wonder if you will miss me?"
said Mr.. McCorkindale.
"Well-a little," owned Miss Mil.
foil.
"Did you never think of marrying,
Msttie?" abruptly demanded Mr.. Mo
Corkindale.
every often," she answered, calmly.
"And how is it that you never have
married?"
Matte laughed.
because I never found the right
one," she said.
"Just my reason, exactly" said
Mr.. McCorkindale. "But I think I
have found her at last-and it's you,
Mattel"
"Is it?" said Miss Milfoil, coloring
and smiling.
"Don't you think, if you we're to
try me, I might suit you-as a hus-
band?" he asked, persuasively.
ct don't know" whispered Matte.
"Try mel" said MIR. McCorkindale,
taking her hand in his; and she did
not draw it away.
How brief a time will sometimes
suffice to turn the current of life
time! That month at Seafoam Lodge
made all the difference in the world to
Mr.. and Mrs. McCorkindale.-Satur-
day Night.