Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-10-16

sistance, he tossed his pipe and hat
beside his coat, and plunged into the
cool waves, and struck out for the
spot where she had gone under. Accus-
toned as he was to fresh water swim
ming. he found It easy enough to
make speed here, and by the time she
mad come to the surface again, he was
beside her.. Slipping one arm beneath
ners, he turned upon his back and
swan back to the beach. in that mat
ter-of-fact way in which he was wont
TO do everything. Once there, he car
ried the dripping little figure TO a dry
spot and laid her down. The girl was
unconscious and Van Holden turned To
pick UP his coat to throw over her
when sight met his gaze that took
away what breath he had had left.
Heavens aliyei" he muttered, at
nave rescued a mermaid, not a mortal.
Either that, or l am clear crawl" She
lay on her side, her hair. shimmering
with water. her eyes closed, the upper
part Of her trim body clothed In a reg
ulation battling suit; but at the waist
line reality stopped and romance be-
gan. A delicately shaped, tapering
extremity like that of great noun
tain trout, dotted with spanRles of
gold and red. finished the uucannv
picture that Van Holden beheld. For
moment he could only stare: then
recovering himself somewhat. he nIck,
ed up his coat and spread II gently
over ner Recovering his pipe also.
ne walked dazedly to the rock from
which he had first seen her.
So rapidly had the remarkable incl
dent occurred that he found the tobac-
co still alight, and for the space of .
minute he smoked fast and furiouslv
trying to think what he could say y.
do. At the end Of that time he turned
and looked at the pathetic little heap
and saw her stir.
What an idiot l am" he criad
springing to his feet. 'tMerm,Ia !,
girl. she needs attention, instead !,
foolish gazing at-where's my flask ,"
He found 1t, still uninjured I'm bis
hip pocket, and STOPPING. he gently
forced the pretty lips apart and poured
few drops Of brandy into her mouth.
Where am II" she said, pressing
her hands to her ears, and making
that time honored remark In excellent
English. did go under AGAIN." An
embarrassed expression came across
her face, as she added, "And you had
TO go after me? II is too bad-but 7
am very grateful, SIR"
Sir? Van Holden looked again Che
was a mere child, not over fifteen or
sixteen at the most, and-Gracioua
Heaven! she was stripping off that
remarkable extremity, as IL Il were
made of rubber!
AS she shook herself free from II ana
stood up in very fetching bathing
suit and stockings, he smiled-and
took a swallow OF the brandy himseI,
If you'll excuse me-" he said apolo-
getically, "I--your appearance rather
upset me-" A rare, but strangely ma
thetic smile answered him.
Il don't wonder" she said. "vou
must be colder than l." Shaking hes
self free Of the sand which Ching %
her dress, she gathered up the remark
able covering and rolled It into a bun
die which she tucked under one arm
II am very grateful to you" she aaid
again. land I hope you have not worn
yourself out"
NO" he interrupted. "but bafore
you go will you kindly tell me wbv
you are out 30 early In the morning
alone, and with that most peculiar
peculiar costume on?'
The girls pretty face grew seriously
wistful. MY father" she said and
then went on In a lower tone, you
must not breathe word Of this. for he
would punish me II you did; but he
makes me learn to swim so. NV
mother died last winter. Then NV
father. whom had never seen before.
came and took me away. and I am
learning to swim with that tail. II ia
like swimming without your feet--and
that wouldn't be very easy, would it?"