The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-06-21

Poor Constance! How grieved she
had been when Rupert had made the
disastrous mistake of thinking that
Tom cared for her-Tom. who had
been her kind, CHEEKY brother-in-law
for many years. Laddie was very
ilke him. She must not forget the lit
tie lad. and perhaps she had better 60
to him. though the shingle was rough,
for while his intentions were good,
his memory was extremely short.
Rising leisurely, she glanced over to
where the breakwater ran out into the
sea, picturesque object at low water,
covered with green seaweed and tiny
shells. Little was to be seen of it this
fine summer afternoon. for the tide
was flowing in deep and strong, but
as she looked her eyes dilated with
horror. Scrambling up the slippery
side was small, white-clothed figure
with fair curls blowing in the breeze,
who gained the summit with wonder
full speed and ran boldly out along the
top.
Throwing down her sunshade she
flew down toward the shore as fast as
the rolling pebbles would permit, call
ing loudly to the boy as she went.
She saw the beautiful baby face fill
with sudden contrition, saw him turn
to come to her-he was never afraid
of any one, least of all Connie-then
he had given a sickening slip on the
treacherous green slime There was a
flash Of two little bare brown legs, a
vision of flying straw hat, loud
splash and he was in the water on the
far side of the breakwater, where it
was SO terribly deep.
What happened next she hardly
knew, but she remembered shrieking
for help, and leaning far over the
Shiny edge, making frantic snatches
at the struggling child; then man
dived in, and Laddie, gasping and
dripping. was once more in her arms.
"Oh, we can never thank you
enough" she painted as she Rugged
the young scamp
But the man made no answer; his
hand still grasped the boy, and some
thing on it seemed strangely familiar.
Surely she had known that massive
signet ring in the past. CHANGING up
hurriedly, she saw the face. older and
more worn, but still the handsome
never-forgotten face of Rupert Laird
For moment she was too petrifed
to speak; sea and shore seemed surg
Ing toward her. II don't like wait
ing" Laddie had said, but she had
given up all hope that he would ever
IL ,;a%o1
now he stood before her.
Connie, you here?" he said at
length, with Unsurpassed emotion.
Have 1 saved your child?"
"Yes-no, Rupert" she answered
hurriedly. .He is Toms and Marga-
ret's; their only boy; naughty, naughty
Laddie."
Toms! Margaret's!" he whispered
hoarsely, his eye devouring her face.
"And you, Connie, your
81 am 'auntie,' and a fine dance this
boy leads me-" she attempted to say
gayly.
LET us get out of this crowd" he
said in the old abrupt way that she
knew so we'll. as he apprehensively
surveyed the rapidly increasing gath
ering which seemed inclined to cheer
him. 81 will carry Laddie.'
Perhaps neither had any distinct
idea of what they had said as they
went up the shore homeward, but she
was the more composed of the two, t6r
she had known the truth all along,
while to him 1t had come suddenly,
was overwhelming.
You are not changed" hi said later.
as they stood by the gate Il the gloam-
ing. 1T is I with WHOM the years
have dealt hardly. who have been
q reckless fool and hady 81 s,,ffer for
ny folly. But ! have , Ut no on. IN