New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1899-01-25
a LUCK CCII)ENT

sometimes / almost think she does
care Oh, if only wasn't such q wretched
pauper, ct vow I'd try my luck get out Of
my misery anyhow y
Carrie Anderson's quick glance noted
his nlomentary abstraction. and she turned
away to hide smile. 1t was soft: little
smile, and would have told Gerald some
thing if he had seen it. Only unfortunate
II Gerald was too busy with the sheet and
tiller to notice it.
Gerald Thornton was a young man of a
type rare perhaps, but not SO rare as some
novelists would have US believe. He had
30 strong 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 good
fortune Of her own, and he, comparatively
speaking, mere pittance. 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 good deal moro
than he did in the girls manner toward
him.
They were now rapidly approaching the
"narroWs, where a 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.
ooh, what lovely flowers! r cried Carrie.
reaching over in vain effort to graspsa
great spray of dead white syringa which
hung far out over the water.
.sDuck, Miss Anderson, duck!' cried
Gerald sharply. As they passed he had
suddenly noticed that around the pointsa
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 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
of blood had started and stood out on the
white skin. Her face was deathly pale and
her eyes tight closed.
my darlingp cried the poor boy.
Carrie, speak to me-" But she lay quiet
and motionless Was she dead? He could
hardly perceive her breathing Quickly
Gerald pulled out handkerchief, and,
soaking it over the side, began bathing
her forehead with the cool water, murmur-
ing all the time broken expressions of en-
dearment
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
ed, where she was, and then-G Gerald could
never believe his eyes and senses sank
comfortably back into his protecting arms.
Don ivory" she whispered. st isn't
n shall be all right soon." And
S. oked up again through long black
lasnes. Gerald's resolutions were like wax
under q summer sun. Whose would not
be? He stopped and kissed her.
long time making up your mind, Gerald, .
she said.
Gerald 8 head was in whirl between
ecstasy and remembrance of his resolu-
tions. He made another struggle.
i've 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 little
smile.
'tMust ask you, then?' she inquired.
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
: see shall have to propose in due form.
And you can refuse q lady, can your
1t was q year later Again brilliant
day and again Gerald and Carrie were
spinning up the river in the selfsame
dingey. The girl, looking distractingly
pretty, was leaning back on her cushions
and gazing with quite undisguised adj
at her beloved husband q skill in
the boat.
We'll, are you tired of living on your
wife's money yet. Gerald?' she said sud-
denly.
Gerald laughed. believe earn my
living" he replied.
It's rather a good thing for me you
pocketed your pride and condescended to
manage my affairs for me. That colliery
ls paying for 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 a jibe. Il
Do you think you would ever have
Gerald, II 1t hadn't been for that
lcoidentP" musingly continued Mrs.
Thornton, when they had rounded the
BEND a III ss 8.s
Gerald hauled in the sheet little. g
lon t know, dear" he said. 81 never got
'uch 9 fright in my life u believe / felt
guilty Of murder when Isaw your face 90
pale and held yonr limp little body in my
Arms, but Tor me at least 1t was the luck
ess Of accidents & RAMBLER
]. yghen Birds 1esin TO sinx. 3.
An English, otpit hist, haying Anves-
lRntod the QUESTION. OF at what; zhOuf III, 81