Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-11-14
The Coral Button.
Re Wcn His Bet, bal LOst -Llls LOve.

Il tell You Di Bathurst has the
keenest latlang suit OF any womaa
down here
How do you know
'.Ah! 1 lave 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"
HIM! Sounds rather fetching. L
must have look at it myself"
Don't You wish you might, my boy :?
Why, hi is very dragon of prudery.
Never goes beyond the ladies bathing
place. squint through telescope
is all you'll ever ser of IT."
'.A woman doesn't wear a bathing
suit like that for the sake of other
women. l bet you flyer I'll have
closer look at it"
My dear Tom, don't want to alb
solutely rob you of your money"
II bet you 6ver-ten, if you like
and to prove that I've won your mon
ey fairly I'll bring YOU one of those
buttons"
'Talle him on. ceal, boy" said the
third man who was sitting in the
smoking. roon OF tie Seaside club.
Never lose a cAa!cc Of turning an
honest penny wi.cl yes can
Very Well" said the married man,
who knew 50 mach. Ten IL you like.
but we must have time limit"
Certainly said Tom Bolton; with
in week"
ssJt Will come n, ,-o,,y LoD,i,, 10 INV
n present for the wife's birthday next
week" said TIE married man, making
a note in his pocietbook. And it
will teach you lesson you want, my
boy.
But Tom only smiled screnely as lie
settled his tie in front OF the glass.
whichever way it goes, one of you
fellows will have to stand re a bottle
of tizz-over it," said the other man.
Diana was bathing. She plunged,
dived, rose, swan, foated, trod water,
spIashed and kicked like veritabIe
mermaid, only the pure blood ran more
joyously in her veins than did ever n
cold blooded sea maiden's, and n pair
of slim, white feet are much prettier
conclusion to n beautiful body than
tail, and golden tresses, in the opinion
of humans, are preferable to the ortho-
doX sea green.
1t was rough. for a smart south
wester 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 n V-ave like
south sea Islander and laughed aloud
with pure physical joy as she shook
the drops from her eyes and drew IN
n full breath.
At the end of the pier man was
bathing She could see his dark head
at times above the crestS of the waves.
Why, what was lie doing, splashing
about like that? He had gone under
and rose again, striking out wildly.
Help! helpw rang frantically over
the water.
a thrill ran through her. She an
swered to the call like high mcttled
horse to the touch of whip.
"All right; I'm coming" she cried
and cleft the water with swift, power
ful strokes. She lost sight of him once
or twice, for the spray was flying high,
and out toward the pier it was ticlllish
work, lest the current should carry
her against the piles, but she swan
on eaIlnntiy.
All, there lie was. almost spent,
floundering and gasping wildly.
"4cre, rest en- my shoulders; I'll get
you to the steps" she ordered: but
danger seemed to have bereft him of
his senses. for he ciItched 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 lie 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
clinginS stuG showing every outline Of
her splendid Shape.
You are net hurt anywhere?' she
queried. quito forgetfuI of sex.
NO, no. L U-..s only cr;imp.' he
murmurel. IL ean get to the beach
now l don't know how to thank you
enough
'Ohi that's ali right" said Diana
easily. Here's .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 a smile at a red coral
button.
We'll, I've won my bet 1 thought
that would fetch her, and it was worth
n great deal more risk than that. How
superb she looked as she stood there
painting, as unconscious of her costume
rs was ever Eye"
II can't quite believe 1t. Diana 1t
Ieems tno good TO be true