, 1898-10-14
HIS

DAnoApPA AAtoA-tuO AOgAC4, dAAlo anu
the twins. l throw in the younger chill
dren in q bunch as it were, because it
takes too long to say Sue and Lou.
They were spoken Of as the twins by
every one, and every one knew them.
Their personality was particularly ia.
miliar tt Fannie's would be suitors, for
they were always upon the spot just at
. moment otherwise opportune for mat
rimonial proposals. Fannie was no a
marrying girl, and she used to say that
no N but herself realized how much
in the way Of relief she owed to those
blessed twins. The suitors also were
wont to bless the twins. but in a some.
what different spirit. One of these suit
ors was on the boat that very day, and
he had Fannie "cribbed and confined"
as 1t were, III one corner of a deserted
quarter Of the deck. The twins were
out Of range for once, and he thought
he was making good Roadway. But real
ly in her heart Fannie was despising
him for a fop. His immaculate clothes
came first. she thought; his viands
next probably, and, lastly, with what
little was left Of him, his character.
That particular day he walked up his
avenue Of approach undisturbed by
bark of dog or remark of twin. He was
nearer the delectable mountains than
ever before, he realized, and his heart
thumped madly against the irreproach-
able waistcoat as he opened his mouth
to AJAX the decisive question.
Just ut that moment a shrill scream
pierced tho sultry July air. Then n hur-
rying and sourrying Of feet vas heard
Instantly . ray Of knowledge flashed its
way into Fannie's brain. lone of the
twins ID overboardr' she said to her.
self n she sped down the lea stairs
and along the lower deck.
Just ~ she reached the bow Of the
boat she saw q little skirt drawn in by
the suction Of the water between the
barge ION which most Of the excursion
lists were embarked) and the boat that
drew Il. Another moment and the same
little skirt, and q child's face, half hid
den in her long. wet hair, was borne by
the swift waters ont and down the
river.
Lou had fallen overheard.
There was chaos for a time. Every
body was running to sec. Some one
chung to the mother. who wanted to
leap after her child. Little Sue wal
wailing and Fannie wringing her hands
and thinking how this would never
k~.- h~~~nvAA Rod ohn mot hoar onOo Uod
BY that hateful dude.
From the pilothouse two men leaned
and watched the child-the pilot and q
sort Of long legged handy Andy"
known On board ~ Spider.
"Why don't you save her, Spider?"
said the pilot. Jump in, man. WHAT'S
the use Of your winning prizes if you
can't ave . kid now and them"
Il hadn't occurred to Spider before,
but at the word Of command he leaped
from the piloehouse down into the wa.
ter and stxuck out after the dark spot
that was quite distant now.
"He's too late he can't catch her."
MD . passenger.
"Oh, get outi' said the captain.
''That cuss could overtake the boat that
seafssd yesterday and beat her to Now
Oeleana"
The man 20 unexpectedly alluded to
was we'll along On his way when tho
crowd Of passengers. who were straining
their eyss down the river, saw the dark
somsthihg On the surface Of the water
Gink
The mother uttered q cry and was
horne half fainting into the nearest
cabin. Eannie's face was white and
soEained, but che said not q word. The
dude etood near her ~ silent and almost
o. white ~ che. Indeed there was no
noiss On board Just then save the sound
Of little Sues sobs.
The speck-it had become a speck-
ross again. but Spider was still at a
distauce. He was nearer now. but it
I'D muk once more. Again it rose-if
only he could get there in time! But
what seemed to tho watchers a waste OF
waters separated him from that little
0oating ffock.
The oaptain had his fieldglass out
row. and b silently passed it around.
epidsr Wa nearing the child, but before
Is ooald reach her she sunk for the last
ttnA. OgWn he went, and think that
haDdly . breath was drawn until he
soee.Without heri.
AO5Codl" walled Fannie.
Tbe d1ds pat his arm around her or
~ woald hays fallen.
"Dua't leave hefi'' shouted the cap,
A-l-LAA-A-A A-A----l1 SnvHo