The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-10-19

the others, George Drake, meanwhile,
watching Ward with vlgilant eyes.
Mrs Gerlock did not go I'm the wa
ter. She and two or three others seat
ed themselves on the beach and
watched the bathers. Remembering
what Mrs. Wilson had said she de
cided that John Ward would be the
man she would marry, and followed
their movements with great interest.
Meanwhile, Miss Moore found that
she liked the water n good deal bet
ter than she thought, and entered into
the sport with much enthusiasm.
Ward cxertcd himself commercially
To teach her how TO swim, and as sho
was not at all afraid, his task was
comparatively easy.
Presently he bent over her dcvOtedly,
and Mrs Gerlock cxcltcdly said to
fellow boardcr;
There! He's proposing TO her! How
Ia like TO hear what he saysw
But just nj this juncturc something
very unexpected occurred. Mr.. Ward
was seized with a terrible inclination
TO sneezc. He struggled against IL
for n moment, but without success,
and when the crisis came his whole
head was Jared with the shock. At
the same moment something was oh
served TO fly from his mouth into tho
water He appeared 10 be so sur-
priced for the fractional part Of see
Ond he stood mOtionlcss; then he sud
denly released Miss Moore and made
frantic and decidedly undigniicd
plunge into the sea with outstrctched
hands. Ills fingers closed upon some
thing at the bottom around which they
locked themselves like bands of steel.
| When nc stood erect and opened his
hand, u large sand d-covcrcd clam shell
met his rucful gaze.
vigorous exclamation that sound
ed suspiciously like damn fell
from his lips, while Miss Moore, un.
able to control her mirth, threw back
her head and laughed heartily. 1t
was very unkind of her, and John
looked nt her rcproachfully
"I'm sorry" she said, apologctically;
"but really, Mr.. Ward, | can't help
il. 1t was so very funny, you know"
With another muttered exclamation
Mr.. Ward proceeded To make for the
shore with more haste than dignity.
II was observed 10y those on the beach
that his checks were painfully con
tractcd, ana that the beauty of his
face had deprecated very materially
within the last ten minutes
Mrs. GCrlOCk was much disappoint
eel at the sudden and ridiculous ter
minaton Of her sclf-crcated romance,
and was profusc In lNr sympathy as
Mr.. Ward approached, dripping with
water
ut is really too bad you lost your
false teeth, Mr.. Ward" she said. 81
guess you have missed your only
chance. Mr.. Drake see, has already
taken your place"
Hes quite welcome TO IL. madam"
said Ward, coldly, Fastening toward
the house.
when Miss Moore left the water
Mrs, Gcrlock eagerly sought her.
Did they propose, Emp she asked.
"Whop"
"Why. Ward and Drake"
How absurd What makes you
think that"
you To marry him when that wrctchcd
sncezc occurred. II was too bad. l
felt sorry for him.
Did you. indecd Wen, you need
not have. FOR | assure YOU he did not
propose. And he never will. now, rest
assured. No man ever forgiyes Il
woman for laughing at him"
But surely Drake asked YOU To
marry himf" persisted Mrs. Gerlock.
Wrong again. my dear friend" re-
piled Miss Moore. laughing. "But we
had very pleasant time I'm the surf,
shall often go in bathing now" And
she laughed again.
Emma Moore" said Mrs. Gcrlock,
looking at her suspiciously. II believe
you're just flirting, and always have
been. and don't intend To marry either
MIR. Ward or Mr. Drake. You are
keeping single because you want to-"
I'm glad you've discovered the
truth at last" said Miss Moore, with
a mischievous expression on her face.
I'D rather have half dozen attentive
sultors than one neglectful husband.
and can't help Il II the men are slow
to take a hint"
That evening Mr.. Ward ate his din
ncr i'm silence and at once withdrew
| To his room. For day or two he
did not mingle much with the other
| guests. Then he appeared rs frequent
ly rs usual. and with n new set or
/ teeth. but IL was noticed that he did
not pay any attention TO Miss Moore.
aud Drake was left In possession OF
/ the field. while his former rival went
to the sympathizing Mrs. Gerlock for
/ consolation.
Another day passed. and the widow
suddenly made the discovery that
Ward was getting on exceedingly
\ friendly terms with herself. lt must
be said that she was considerably sur
! prised nj this. and as soon as she had
recovered from the first shock. she
promptly proceeded TO consult the mir
ror for an explanation OF his abrupt
change OF conduct.
The mirror was generous. IL told
her that she had fairly good-look
ing face. n figure that had not yet lost
it's curves. and luxuriant dark brown
hair that was only just beginning 10
bc tinged with silver.
We'll" she said. complacently, "af.
ter all | can't blame him. He might