The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-08-29
The Coral Button.
He Won His Bet, but Lost His Love.

down here"
How do you know"
"Ah! l have exceptional opportuni-
ties. My wife battles with her. It's
black corded silk, low necked, no
sleeves, doesn't come to the knees, fits
like glove and has coral buttons"
HIN! Sounds rather fetching. l
must have look at it myself"
Don't you wish you might, my boy
Why, Di is very dragon of prudery.
Never goes beyond the ladies' bathing
place. A squint through a telescope
is all you'll ever see Of it."
"a woman doesn't wear bathing
suit like that for the sake of other
women. bet you flyer I'll have a
closer look at it."
my dear Tom, l don't want to abb
solutely rob you Of your money"
II bet you fiver-ten, 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 a chance of turning an
honest penny when you can"
VERY WELL" said the married man,
who knew SO much. Ten If you like.
but we must have time limit"
Certainly" said Tom Bolton; with
in a week"
1T will come in very handy to buy
a present for the wife's birthday next
week." said the married man, making
a note in his pocketbook. And it
will teach you a lesson you want, my
boy"
But Tom only smiled serenely 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 fizz over II" said the other man.
Diana was bathing. She plunged,
dived, rose, swan. foated, trod water,
spiashed and kicked like a veritable
mermaid, only the pure blood ran more
joyously in her veins than did ever
cold blooded sea maiden's, and pair
of slim, white feet are much prettier
conclusion to beautiful body than
tail, and golden tresses, In the opinion
Of humans, are preferable to the ortho-
dox sea green.
1t was rough, for smart south
wester was coming up, and the rest of
the women bathers bobbed timidly up
and down at the life line, but Diana
rose up on the-comb of wave like
south sea islander and laughed aloud
with pure physical JOY as she shook
the drops from her eyes and drew in
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 thatp He had gone under
and rose again, striking out wildly.
"Help! helpP' rang frantically over
the water
A thrill ran through her. She an-
swered to the call like a high melted
horse to the touch of a whip.
"Al 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 1t was ticklish
work, lest the current should carry
her against the piles, but she swan
on calamity.
All, there he was, almost spent,
foundering 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 clutched 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.
You are not hurt anywhere" she
queried, quite forgetful Of sex.
mo, no. 1t was only cramp," he
murmured I'll can get to the beach
now. don't know how to thank you
enough"
"Oh! that's all right" said Diana
easily. Here's a 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 Enclosed his left hand,
and looked with a smile at a 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"
al can't quite believe it, Diana. It
seems too good to be true"
"Why?" said Diana She was wear
ing white gown, she had taken OF
her hat and the sea breeze just ruffied
the little golden tendrils round her
forehead. They were hardly darker
than the frail sea peoples she was car
rying in her hand.
Because l am not worthy of you. l
don't know why you should love me,
Diana"
"But you love me? or you say So"
"Ah, l do not! worship you. II
feel l should like to kneel and kiss the
hem of your gown"
"Only the hem Of my gown" The
eyes, on a level with his own, smiled
frankly into his. The kiss fell-not on
the gown 1t fired his veins like potent
wine.
Diana, tell me why you love me.
If could think of any reason why
you should, l should feel safer"
She frowned little as If rejecting.
II think it began when-when
saved your life. All, If had been too
late, should never have known what
love meant" Her voice broke on the
word.
You would have loved some one
else" he said quickly. He would not
face what underlay his speech.
Nc" said Diana quietly. 81 think
not"
1T is the wrong way round. | ought
to have saved your life"
1T is more of the century as it is.
But, Tom, want you to be very care
full If you have the cramp once. you
are always liable to it again. Promise
me you won't go too far"
Il promise you anything you like"
He was holding down his conscience
with a ruthless hand. but the delicious
gravity that had overcome the smile
she began with made it struggle hard.