The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-05-20

sissippi river-the mother, Fannie
Il and the twins | throw in the
younger children in bunch, as ii
were, because it takes too long to say Sue
and Lou. They were spoken OF as twins
by everyone, aud everyone knew them.
Fannie was not a marrying girl, and she
used to say that no one but herself real
lied 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
somewhat different spirit
One of these suitors was en- the boat
that day, and he and Fannie, "cribbed and
confined, as it were, in one corner Of a
deserted quarter of the deck; the twins
were orr of range for once, and he thought
he was making good Roadway.
Bn5 laally in her heart Fannie was de
spising MIN for a fOp; his immaculate
clothes came first, she thought; his viands
next, probably, and, lastly, with what
little was left of him. bis character.
The particular day he walked up his
avenu, oi approach, undisturbed by bark
of dog o remark Of twins. He was nearer
she deiscAble mountains than ever before
he realized and his heart thumped madiy
against his irreproachahle waistcoat as he
opened bis mouth to ask the decisive ques-
ton.
just at that moment a shriIl scream
pierced Che sultry July air. Then hurry
ing and sourryng of feet was heard. In
stantly a lay Of knowledge flashed its way
into Fannie's brain. ''One of the twins is
overheard" she said to herself as she sped
down the near stairs and along the lower
deck
Just as she reached the bow of the boat
she saw little skirt drawn in by the
suction of the water between the barge
ION which most of the excursi onists were
embarked and the boat that drew it. An
other moment and the same little skirt and
q child i face half hidden in her long, wet
hair, was borne by the swift waters out
and down the river.
Some one chung to the mother who
wanted to leap after her child. Little Sue
was waiiing, and Fannie wriuging her
hands and thinking how this would never
have happened had she not been engaged
by that hateful dude.
FfoA the pilot house two men leaned
and watched the child-the pilot and sort
Of long.irgged ''Iiandy Andy" known on
board rs Spider"
'WHy don't you save her, Spidet?' said
the pilot. ''Jump in mani What's the
use of your swimming prizes if you can't
save hli now and then?'
1t hadu't occurred to Spider before hut
at the word of command he lraped from
the pilJg house, down into the water and
struck ont after thu dark spot that was
quite da,,nt now.
The a'au was well along on his way,
when tie crowd Of passengers who were
strainiuI their eyes down the river, saw
the dark something on tile surface of the
water suE.
The mother uttered cry and was borne,
half faiUting, into the nearest cabin.
Eannie'- face was white and strained, but
she said not word. The dude stood near
her, as silent and almost as white as she.
The speck-it bad become speck rose
again, but Spider was still at . distance.
lie was nearer now, but it had sunk once
more ALain it rose-if only he could set
therc in time! But what seemed to the
watchers waste Of waters separated him
from that little floating frock
The captain had bis field glass out nov,
and h. identity passed it around. Spider
was nealing the child, but before he could
reach her she sank for the last time. Down
he went, and think that hardly a breath
was drawn until he rose-without her.
son, Cod" walled Fannie.