The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-08
A LUCKY ACCIDENT.

over, they were away, the sharp bow slap
ping through the short ripple.
what an ass am, !" he said to himself
for about the hundredth time, t'duttering
round the candle like some wretched
moth. I shall get singed in ths end. Yet
-yet-sometImes almost think she does
care. oh, if only wasn't such wretched
pauper, I vow I'd try my luok-get out of
my misery anyhow ~
Carrie Anderson's quick glance noted
his momentary abstraction, and she turned
away to hide a smile. It was soft little
smile, and would have told Gerald some
thing If he had seen IL. Only unfortunate
ly Gerald was too busy with the sheet and
tiller to notice it.
Gerald Thornton was a young man of q
type rare perhaps, but not so rare as some
novelists would have us believe He had
SO strong a sense Of honor and personal
pride that though sincerely in love with
Carrie Anderson he would not ask her to
marry him simply because she had q good
fortune of her own, and he, comparatively
speaking, a mere pittanoe He tried in
deed to keep away from her, but could not
always refuse the kindly Invitations of old
Mrs. Anderson, her aunt, and Gerald had
another rare quality, modesty. Another
man would have read a good deal more
than he did In the girls manner toward
him.
They were now rapidly approaching the
"nArrows, where long, low spit covered
with thick shrubbery cut the stream to
half it's usual width. The wind was fresh
ening and full on the beam, and the little
craft lay over till its gunwale was trimmed
with a racing streak of snowy foam.
''We shall just clear it without tack
ing" said Gerald as they neared the point.
The water was fairly deep right up to the
bank, and they slipped by without touch
ing bottom, though the long boom rus
tied against projecting boughs.
'fOh, what lovely fowersP' cried Carrie,
reaching over in a vain effort to grasp a
great spray of dead white syringa which
hung far out over the water.
'tDuok, Miss Anderson, duckI'' cried
Gerald sharply. As they passed he 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 boz I swung
sharply over and struck the girl full on
the forehead With little o. Q 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 Tapping
downward he tenderly raised in his arms
the tumbled white heap and bent over her
in a perfect agony. An ugly red mark
showed just where the little rings of hair
curled over the forehead, and single drop
white skin. Her face was deathly pale and
her eyes tight closed.
my darlingr" cried the poor boy
''Carrie, speak to me-" But she lay quiet
and motionless. Was she deadP He could
hardly perceive her breathing Quickly
Gerald pulled out a handkerchief, and,
soaking it over the side, began bathing
her forehead with the cool watar, murmur-
ing all the time broken expressions of en-
deRrment.
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 wan little smile
she looked up, realized what had happen
cd, 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. st ism t
much ] 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 not
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 q whirl between
ecstasy and a remem brance of his resolu-
tions. He made another struggle.
1--WE always loved you" he said SIM
ply, ''you know that. But I can't ask
you to marry me; you must feel why.
Carries lips were wreathed in a little
smile.
Unjust ask you, thenP" she inquired.
f'1t isn't usual, you know"
Gerald stammered something to the
effect that he could not live on his wife.
You're foolish boy" Carrie laughed.
''T see shall have to propose in due form.
And you cans refuse lady can yOuT'
Il was a year later. Again q brilliant
day and again Gerald and Carrie were
spinning up the river in the selfsame
dingey. The girl, looking distraotingly
pretty, was leaning back on her cushions
and gazing with quite undisguised adj
miration at her beloved husbands skill in
managing the boat.
well, are you tired of living on your
wiEe's money Jet, GeraldP" she said sud
denly.
Gerald laughed. 'I believe earn my
living" he replied.
Its rather good thing for me you
pooketed your pride and oOndescended to
manage my affairs for me. That coIliery
is paying fo- positively the first time.
why" she went on, here we are at
the 'narrows' once more"
They spin fast, neither Of them speak
ing, and this time without jibe.
"Do you think you would ever have
proposed, Gerald, If 1t hadn't been for that
acoident9" musingly continued Mrs.
Thornton, when they had rounded the
bend.
Gerald hauled in the sheet a little. ''I
don't know, dear" he said. ST never got
such fright in my life I believe I felt
guilty of murder when saw your face so
pale and held your limp little body in my
arms, but fer me at least it was the LUCK
lest of accidents. Ram bier.
xban Rt~a. Ras-tv, - s.D1