Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-12-02
The eCOral Button.
He Won His Bet, but Lost His Love.

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Il tell you Di Bathurst has the
kecnest bathing suit of any woman
down here
"llow do you know
"Ah! | have exceptional opportuni-
ties. My wife bathcs with her. It's
black corded silk. low ncckcd, no
sleeves, doesn't come to the knees, fits
like glove and has coral buttons"
Him. Sounds rather fetching.
must have Il look at it myself"
Don't you wish you might, my boy?
Why, Di is Il very dragon of prudcry.
Never goes beyond the ladies' bathing
place. y squint through telescope
is all you'll ever see of it,"
"A woman doesn't wear Il bathing
suit like that for the sake of other
women. bet you Il flyer I'll have
closer look at it,
"My dear Tom, | don't want to alb
solutely rob you of your money"
Il bet you fiver-tcn, if YOU like
and to prove that I've won your mon
ey fairly I'll bring you one of those
buttons"
''Take him on, dear boy" said the
third man who was sitting in the
smoking room Of the Seaside club.
"Never lose II chance of turning an
honest penny when you can"
Every WELL" said the married man,
who knew so much. Ten if you like,
but we must have a time limit"
Il
in week.
''It will come in very handy to buy
a present for the wifes birthday next
week" said the married man, making
note in his pocketbOok. And it
will teach you a lesson you want, my
boy"
But Tom only smiled screnely as he
settled his tie in front of the glass.
'Whichever way it goes, one of you
fellows will have to stand me bottle
of tizz over it," said the other man.
Diana was bathing. She plunged.
dived. rose, swan, tloated, trod water,
splaShed and kicked like Il vcritable
mermaid, only the pure blood ran more
joyOuSly in her veins than did ever a
cold bloodcd sea maidcn's. and Il pair
of slim. white feet are Il much prettier
conclusion to n beautiful body than n
tail, and golden tresSeS, in the opinion
Of humans, are preferable to the ortho-
dOX sea green.
1t was rough, for a smart south
wcster was coming up, and the rest Of
the women bathcrS bObbed timidly up
and down at the life line, but Diana
rose up on the comb of v'ave like Il
south sea islander and laughed aloud
with pure physical JOY as she shook
the drops from her eyes and drew in
a full breath.
At the end of the pier a man was
bathing She could see his dark head
at times above the crests of the waves.
Why. what was he doing, splashing
about like that? He had gone under
and rose again, striking out wildly.
"Help. help" rang frantically over
the water.
A thrill ran through her. She an
swercd to the call like high mettled
horse to the touch of n whip.
"All right; I'm coming" she cried
and cleft the water with swift, power
full strokes. She lost sight of him once
or twice for the spray was flying high,
and out toward the pier it was tlcklish
work, lest the current should carry
her against the piles, but she swan
on gallantly.
All, there he was, almost spent,
floundering and gasping wildly.
"Here, rest on my shoulders; I'll get
you to the steps" she ordered; but
danger seemed to have bereft him of
his senses, for he clutchcd frantically
at her, gripping her gown
You'll drown us both if you do
that" she said imperiOusly, and man
aged to relax his grasp.
She got him to the steps more easily
than she expected, and he hauled him,
self up, gasping for breath and look
ing at her with grateful eyes as she
stood beside him, the water dripping
from her black gown and running in
little streams over her noble shoulders
and strong white arms, the closely
clinging stuff showing every outline Of
her splendid shape.
AOu arc iol llull SlIN
Queried, quite forgetful of sex.
'NO, no. 1t was only cramp,' he
murmured. II can get to the beach
now. | don't know how to thank you
enough"
"Oh. that's all right" said Diana
easily. Heres boatman coming.
He'll get YOU some brandy-that's
about the best thing you can have"
She turned about and plunged again
into the sea, her golden head growing
less as she neared the shore.
Tom Bolton unclOsed his left hand,
and looked with smile at red coral
button.
"Well, I've won my bet. | thought
that would fetch her, and it was worth
a great deal more risk than that How
superb she looked as she stood there
painting, as unconscious of her costume
as was ever Eve"
IL can't quite believe 1t, Diana. 1t
seems too good to be true"
"WhyT said Diana. She was wear