El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-03
A LUCKY ACCIDENT.

Carefully a young man arranged coy
nest amidships for his companion and
gave her II hand in. Then, slipping the
knot of the painter and himself jumping
in, in minute he had got up the big main
and tiny fore sail, and, heeling slightly
over, they were away, the sharp bow slap
ping through the short ripple.
What an ass 1 am, !" he said to himself
for about the hundredth time, "futtering
round the candle like some wretched
moth. 1 shall get singed in the end. Yet
-yet-sometlmes almost think she does
care. Oh, if only wasn't such a wretched
pauper, vow I'd try my luck-get out of
my misery anyhow"
Carrie Anderson's quick glance noted
his momentary abstraction, and she turned
away to hide q smile. 1t was soft little
smile, and would have told Gerald some
thing if he had seen it. Only unfortunate
" 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
so strong a 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 a good
fortune of her own, and he, comparatively
speaking, a 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 more
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 it's gunwale was trimmed
with racing streak of snowy foam.
1--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.
''Oh, what lovely f1owers'' cried Carrie.
reaching over in vain effort to grasp
great spray of dead white syringa which
hung far out over the water.
''Duck, Miss Anderson, duck''' cried
Gerald sharply. AS they passed he had
suddenly noticed that around tho point a
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 a 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 a single
moment, and as the big sail came Tapping
downward he tenderly raised in his ari..s
the tumbled white heap and bent over her
in q 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 darlingT 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 a handkerchief, and.
soaking it over the side, began bathing
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 q wan little smile
she looked up, realized what had happen
ed, where she was, and then-Gerald could
never believe his eyes and senses-sank
comfortably back into his protecting arms
Don't worry, 3" she whispered. st ism
much. shall be all right soon." And
she looked up again through long black
under a summer sun. Whose would not
beP He stopped and kissed her.
She blushed little. you've been q
long time making up your mind. Gerald
she said.
Gerald's head was in a whirl between
ecstasy and a remembrance of his resolu
tions. He made another struggle.
GIVE 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 a little
smile.
"Must ask you, thenP' she inquired
"It 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
II see shall have to propose in due form
And you can't refuse a lady, can your
1t was year later. Again a 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 ad |
at her beloved husbands skill in |
the boat.
well, are you tired of living ON your
wife's money yet. Gerald?" she said sud |
denly.
Gerald laughed. 81 believe earn my |
living" he replied.
''Its rather good thing for me you |
pocketed your pride and condescended to |
manage my affairs for me- That colliery |
Is paying for positively the first time. |
why" she went on, there we are at |
the 'narrows' once more
They spin fast, neither of them speak |
ing, and this time without a jibe. |
"Do you think you would ever have |
proposed, Gerald if it hadn' t been for that |
accident?" musingly continued Mrs |
Thornton, when they had rounded the |
bend
Gerald hauled in the sheet a little. Il |
don't know, dear" he said. IT never got |