The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1900-02-10

the strokes. Then, with a sudden
sharp cry of alarm and fright the
beautiful head disappeared. Mrs. Lar
ned looked about her with hot eyes
for the swimming instructor. but she
was not in sight. She had evidently
left the poolroom. Only two other
women were in the pool and neither
of them could swim.
Marie Larned stood for fearful
moment looking her evil angel In the
face-and the face OF that angel was
lit with Are! The deliberate ofense
of the woman in alluring Marie Lar
ned's husband from her. her silly van
ity and the boasts she made of con-
quest, saddening other women's lives
without qualm, came to the tempted
woman like truths written large upon
the wall. In the distance of the gleam-
ing pool the golden head rose and
sank. Then the flaming face of the
evil angel grew dim and blurred. and
seemed to fade away. and out of a mist
of tears there came another face. also
lit with a fire. but the fire was white.
and about 1t was glory as of rain
bow. It was beautiful to see.
Marie Larn ID never remembered the
act of plunging into the tank. never
recollected the details of the swim the
length of the pool. never could bring
to mind just how that struggling form
came to be clasped In her arms. 1t
seemed too simple and too natural a
thing to remember. 1t was no trick
for her. with her strong arms, to
carry the woman. large as she was, to
the steps and hand her up to the out
stretched hands of the attendants. and
knowing that medical help would be
summoned. Marie felt at liberty to re-
turn to her diversions.
She was in the mood to indulge in
violent antics. She frolicked in the
water like n young porpoise for the
better part OF an hour. trying. appar-
emily. to do anything rather than
think. But at length. worn out. she
sat beside the pool and fiicked the
water with her toes like an idle
schoolboy
She heard the. rustic of silken gar
ments behind her. and thinking 1t was
a guest. looked up. 1t was the wom-
an. pale but calm. and gowned for the
street.
Mrs. Larned," said she. holding out
trembling hand, Il am not going to
attempt to speak my thanks. Words
would be an impertinence. I'm not
even going to insult you by making
an apology to you. 1t would be too
absurdly awkward for both of us--and
we should both hate it. I'm only 60
ing to say that il I have certain faults
which recognize Just as well as
you'll have also a number Of virtues
most of which keep carefully con-
cealed. Not the least of these is ca
pacity for gratitude. From this day
on, in deed and word. you shall have
nothing but fealty from me. which are
for several years. Please do not think
me bore. But mean what say"
Marie Larned got up and shook the
woI.an's hand and the grasp WINS
hearty and warm. A color suffused
her round face. She looked like an
embarrassed boy. And she couldn't
speak word. She thought for mo-
ment that she was going to burst into
tears. which would have been idiotic.
To save herself she shook hands once
more, and, turning. ran from the
woman, up the spring board. and
plunged again beneath the green wat
ers Of the pool.
Come, Mrs. Larned," called the
swimming instructress, you've been
in the tank too long,"
"All right" came back the vigorous
young voice. and glowing face peered
out of the water at the woman and
showed a smile in which the light OF
true happiness beamed. 1t was smile
left from the glory Of the angel with
the countenance of white fire.
Long Tenure of once.