The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-06-29
THE CRIME OF The "GADFLY.'

I'LL UlllN'L vi I'LL unUlLl.
One piping summer afternoon fussy
little steam launch, called the Gladly,
came lathering her way down the river
from Sunbury, and stopped dead short at
Tagg's island. Her crew consisted of Il
big man and a very small boy. The heat
Was intense, and the man thirsty, So,
bidding the small boy sit quite still until
his return, he betook himself to the
neighboring hostelry. He was just in
side the door when shrill cry of alarm
caused him to turn and look through the
window. Then he turned and dashed
out of the open door.
! What had happened was this: The
small boy, left to his own devices, had
been playing with the engine, and the
boat was. now running amuck on the
river with a random helm and full steam
I on
About this time young Teddy Jones,
! late of the Indian civil service being in
a holiday mood, was sculling lazily to-
ward Sunbury and heartily enjoying the
fine; sunny weather. when, just abreast
of Tags he passed dainty little craft,
manned by still daintier bit of femi-
ninity. 1t was but a fugitive glance, it
is true, but it sutced, and he straight
way felt that his heart had bolted and
was following that dainty bit Of femi-
nmity down stream.
Ny Jove! | never saw such a girl in
my life!' said he. "Such an air! Such a
figure!. Such "a Hello! What the
deuce is the matter?"
He had heard the small boys cry of
alarm, and, resting upon his oars, he
turned and saw a runaway launch plung-
ing and snorting hither and thither like
a thing possessed, with a small boy do
ing. his very worst with the wheel, anG
crying piteouSly: The hue-and-cry was
quickly raised, and boats pushed out with
the view of stopping the fugitive; but,
with the aid of the misguided small boy
| at the wheel, she batfied everybody's good
Intentions: Teddy Jones was about tc
join in what promised to be an exciting
chase. when. to his horror, he saw the
accused launch bearing straight down
upon the dainty craft he had passed q
moment before. Its fair occupant, con
tscious of her danger, strained every nerve
| to avoid the deadly impact; but, turn in
what direction she would or could, the
demon Gadty was at her heels, as with
the fell determination to blot out such q
vision of loneliness from the face of the
| waters.
1 1t was done in a moment The keel OF
the tiny craft suddenly glistened in the
sun, a straw hat went floating toward
the weir, and the sight of white terri
fed face and long hair streaming out il
the swirling waters made Teddy Jones
heart leap to his throat. Then, with q
! few strenuous strokes, he reached her
| In another instant he had gripped he1
arm sturdily, and a pair of sweet, trou
blcu eyes were upturned to his CRATE
fully. But the roar of the sliding waters
was now loud in his ears, and, as hi.
craft sWayed perilously on the edge OF
the current and he saw ominous white
threads of foam wisping and curling to-
ward the lip of the fall. he with reassur
ing words. drew her to the stern anl
hade her cling tightly to the tiller ropes
Then, with one supreme effort, he
brought, the boat into still water, witt
his lovely ,derelict in tow, and in another
moment she sat pale and wet and trem
bling by his side
But the peril was not over yet. Thu
unreasonable Gadtly was now madl,
careering in circles that each time
brought her nearer the weir. Tedd,
jones, absorbed in his work of rescue
had not noticed this, until, attracted by
warning cries from the river bank ht
saw the rabid thing tearing down az
with malice prepense in wild scurr1
OF foam, full tilt upon him. There wa:
no time 10 pun out of the danger, 50 he
set his teeth and awaited the onset Il
came
Inc boat recoiled and swayed violent
ly. and Teddy was thrown heading ove,
the thwarts.. Then he heard loud cries e,
Of Jump. lad: jump" and saw a small
body speed through the air and spIasl
INTO the river, and dozen helping hands
extended. AS for the Gadfiy-her tille1
rlsntins' she shot. as with sense OF
weir and self-destruction.
"a good job. tooi' said Teddy 1onos l.
his companion. THAT horrid 0 th;n !.
meant to murder you" ''s
Hcr color had returned, the look ri
alarm had fled from her face and q smil.
h'cGercd upon her lips as she said:
nave had, indeed, a very narrow es
4 GRATEFUL Gill 'ei'
''Pooh"' said he; what little I bav,
zone mas been pleasure, | can assur,
YOU Then he added with tone o.
conjunction, But I'm sorry that VIC,
are $3.50 wet. 1t must be horribly I'm
Not in this warm sunshine" she an
s:wered ,ch,eerily. ''Really, I don't mint
1t at ALL and she wrung her drinnin,
locks as mermaiden might, and mad'
an Intellectual attempt to twist them inf,
a coil. ''' Ill q
Il can't do it, she added, with tn.
away with all my hairpins.' ' ~
:, "Permit me, then,' he said. ssto offe
the shelter of my straw hat
nhe accepted it without demur an,
WIN a deXterous twist, filled the crow,
with her flowing mane-and 10! there 81
his hat janntily just above her beamin,
You were on your way down the river
| We're you nOt?'
. YES to Kingston: I live there.'
..Y >; i've at Kingston?'
.'AAl Will you permit me, then, TOP
Ihere really seems no alternative'-
ana she laughed again. I'm afraid m,
search Of my hairpins, and, if I'm nn
putting you. to an inconvenience
lnconvenience!" and his laughter il
turn was pleasantly ironical. Suddenl,
an inspiration sprang into his mind, and
dlvesting himself of his coat, he threw i
over her shoulders.
Five minutes later they were clear o.
tne lock' and for time there was silenc,
between them. 1t was an absurd. nj
most grotesque situation, and at last. a,
she lifted her eyes demurely and saw
an unmistakable twinkle in his, ther,
twas simultaneous burst of laughter
and the momentary embarrassment wa.
/ at, an end.
1T: is really too ridiculous"'- she said
|
new thing in my experience"
1T has expiated it's sins, at al
I events, said Teddy Jones. Did YOU oh
serve that, in the finish, it strove to de
! stroy that small boy as well?"
Poor little fellow!' she said commas
sio1iately.
t. Suddenly he looked up and said
What strange thingv' -
:: 10 sec me wearing your clothes?"
r., mo, no-oh dear, no! But to thinl
that you live in kingston -
lis there any harm in my living il
i Kingston?' 81 = Il. 80 -
"Of course not; only, another girl live,
there, and for my sins must 20 and b,
introduced to her tonight :. :, -
Isn't she nice p : g.
81 don't know. wish did,"
2" - ~ - -z - ~ = VIZ ~
,"Hh! ha! Merely a figure of speech
i her? Possibly you might. - - - =