Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-20

! on the noon-train tomorrow"
And Matte went back to her room
and cried little; for she had become
very fond of her pretty little room
already.
SAT all events" said Matte to her.
self, 81 will get up before daylight to-
morrow morning, and have one good
swim in the surf"
She supposed, when she came out
the next day, in her dark blue bathing.
suit and the coarse straw hat tied
down over her eyes, that she would
have the coast clear. But she was
mistaken. Mr. McCorkindale was
padding, like giant purpose, in q
suit of scarlet and gray, among the
waves. He had always wanted to learn
to swim, and here was a most eligible
opportunity.
He don't see me-" said Matte, to
herself, as sh crept cautiously down
in the shador, of the rocks. eff he
did, I suppose he would issue a pro.
clamation that the whole seashore be-
longed to him. But hope there is
room enough for us both in the Allan
tic Ocean"
And Miss Milfoil struck out scien-
tifcally, gliding through the waves
like new variety of fish, with dark
blue scales, and straightway forgot
all about the troublesome old bach
elor.
SITS very strange" said Mr.. Nc
Corkindale, revolving around and
around, like steam paddle-wheel.
"a log floats, but L can't seem to
manage it without the help of my
arn.s and legs. I've always under
stood that swimming was a very easy
business, but-Pouf-ah -ah-h-whust-
sh-shl Helpl helpl Pouf-f-fl Tn
drowning The undertow is carrying
me out, and 1 can't help myself!
Whush-sh! OH ahl helpl he-e-e-elpl"
And Mr.. McCorkindale's voice lost
itselfin 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 q 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, i'll an easy-chair, with cur
ious sensation, as if gigantic bumble-
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 Mr.. Nc
Corkindale.
"Sirl' said Mrs. Sweetclover.
'Do you think I'm going to turn
the woman who saved my life out of
doors?" pulled Mr.. McCorkindale.
But thought you objected to wo-
men," said Mattie's cheerful voice out
side the door.
GIVE changed my mind" said Mr..
McCorkindale, with futtering SEM
blance of smile. ga man is never
too old to learn. And [ 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 express
sion, ''as quiet as two lambs"
81 declare" Mr.. McCorkindale PEN
sively observed, on the afternoon be-
fore his term was up, ST shall be very
lonely after leave here'
you'll be going back to the city,
you know" cheerfully observed Miss
Milfoil.
"But shall miss youl' said the
bachelor
"Nonsense!" said Matte.
81 wonder if you will miss me?"
said Mr.. McCorkindale.
"Well-a little" owned Miss Mil
foil.
"Did you never think of marrying,
Mattie?" abruptly demanded Mr.. Nc
Corkindale.
"Very often, she answered, calmly.
"And how is it that you never have
married?"
Matte laughed.
because L never found the right
one," she said.
Just my reason, exactly" said
Mr.. McCorkindale. ''But think 1
have found her at last-and it's you,
Mattiel'
"Is it?" said Miss Milfoil, coloring
and smiling.
Don't you think, if you were to
try me, 1 might suit you-as hus-
I l.