The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-29
A Lucky Accident,

Ready laughed the man. "Aren't
You ashamed Of yourself. Miss Anderson?
. Here I've been kicking my heels these
twenty minutes waiting for you 10 get
! that hat OF yours on. Are you sure it's
straight at last? There's a tearing
breeze up the river, and I'm afraid IL
won't stay long at the correct angle
You're rude" returned the girl, with a
merry smile, as she ran down the steps
on the lawn. We'll, come along, now;
you shan't accuse me Of wasting any
more time. I'll race you down TO the
boats" And she flew ahead Of him so
fast that he laden as he was with rugs
and cushions. was left hopelessly in the
rear.
Not fair" he gasped, as. coming out
through belt of roSe-hung trellises. they
arrived on the low wooden landing stage
that edged the cleaning waters OF the
sunny stream.
A sailing dinghy of fair size lay of the
wharf tugging at its painter as the cur
rent caught it. a piping breeze hummed
in the great oaks and elms which lined
hte shore, and curled the clear waters
into crispy wavelets.
Carefully the young fellow arranged a
cozy nest amidships for his campanion
and gave her a hand In Then, slipping
the knot of the painter and himself jump
ing in, in a minute he had got up the
big main and tiny foresail and, heeling
slightly over, they were away, the sharp
bow slapping through the short ripple.
Isn't this perfect?" cried the girl. as,
reaching the middle of the stream a
strong puff filed the sail and sent them
spinning along before IT at glorious
rate. The excitement had flushed her
cheeks and made her dark eyes shine. Ger
aid Thornton's glance betrayed the admit
ration he had SO long striven to con-
! ceal
What an ass I am" he said TO him
self for about the hundredth time, '-hut-
tering round the candle like soce wretch
| cd moth. l shall get singed IN the end.
Yet-yet-sometime I almost think she
does care. o. f I only wasn't such
wretched pauper. / vow I'd try my luck
get out Of my misery, anyhow"
Carrie Anderson's quick glance noted
| his momentary abstraction, and she turn
! ed away to hide a smile. 1t was a soft
| little smile, and would have told Gerald
something if he had seen II. Only, unfor-
tunately Gerald was too busy with the
sheet and tiller to notice it.
Gerald Thornton was a young man or
a type rare, perhaps, but not so rare as
some novelists would have US believe. He
had so strong a sense Of honor and per-
sonal pride that though sincerely IN love
with Carrie Anderson he would not ask
her TO marry him simply because she had
good fortune of her own, and he. COM
paratively speaking, a mere pittance. He
tried, indeed. to keep away from her, but
could not always refuse the kindly invi-
tation of old Mrs. Anderson, her aunt
And Gerald had another rare quality
modesty; another man would have read
a good more than he did in the girls
manner toward him.
They were now rapidly approaching the
"narrows," where long, low spit COW
cred with thick shrubbery, cut the stream
10 half its usual worth. The wind was
freshening and full on the beam, and the
little craft lay over till its gunwale was
trimmed with a racing streak Of snowy
foam.
I'VE shall clear II without lacking"
said Gerald, as they neared the point This
water was fairly deep right up to the
bank, and they slipped by without touch
ing bottom. though the long broom rust
led against projecting boughs.
20, what lovely fowers!" cried Carrie,
reaching over In a vain effort TO grasp
a great spray of dead-white syringa which
hung far out over the water.
Duck, Miss Anderson, duck" cried
Gerald sharply. AS they passed ne had
suddenly noticed that around the point
a strong slant of wind would take them
right aback. He threw his helm up. but
Just too late. The long boom swung
sharply over and struck the girl full on
the forehead. With little cry she slipped
back into the bottom of the boat.
To loosen the halyards from the cleats
was with Gerald the work of but single
moment, and as the big sail came faping
downwards he tenderly raised in his
arms the tumbled white heap and bent
to An rcTx-
mark showed just where the little rings
of hair curled over the forehead. and a
single drop of blood had started and
stood out on the white skin. Her face
was deathly pale and her eyes tightly
closed.
MY darlingr' cried the poor boy. Gar
RE. speak 10 me" But she lay quiet and
motionless. Was she dead? He could
hardly perceive her breathing. Quickly
Gerald pulled out a handkerchief. and,
soaking 1t over the side, began bathing
her forehead with the cool water, muir
muring all the time broken expressions
of endearment.
Minute after minute passed, and still
she did not move. Gerald will never for
get the misery Of those moments. He was
just making up his mind to give it up and
pull ashore for assistance when suddenly
her eyes opened With a wan little smile
she looked up, realized what had hap
pened, where she was. and then-Gerald
could never believe his eyes and senses
sank comfortably back into his protecting
arms.
Don't worry" she whispered. 1T isn't
much; 1 shall be all right soon" And
she looked up again through long black
lashes. Gerald's resolutions were like wax
under a summer sun. Whose would no;
be? He stopped and kissed her.
She blushed little. You've been a
long time making up your mind, Gerald"
she said
Gerald's head was in a whirl between
ecstacy and remembrance OF his resolu-
tions. He made another struggle.
i've always loved you" he said. sim
ply, you know that. But / can't ask
you TO marry me; you must feel why
Carries lips were wreathed in a little
smile.
Must I ask you. them" she inquired
cit isn't usual. you know"
Gerald stammered something 20 the et-
feet that he could not live on his wife
You're foolish boy" Carrie laughed. I
81 see I shall have to propose in due form. /
And you can't refuse lady. can your
II was a year laser. Again a briH,an.
day. and again Gerald and Carrie were 4
spinning up the river IN the self-same I
dinghy. The girl. looking distrac;!ngiy .
pretty, was leaning back on her cushions I.
and gazing with quite undisguised adnl- 4
ration at her beloved husbands skill n I
managing the boat
We'll, are you tired o, living on your i
vifes money yet. Gerald?'' she said. 4
suddenly.
Gerald laughed II believe 7 earn ny
living" he replied.
IT'S rather a good thing fer ne you