Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-29

4
satisfied young man, and the workmen
employed by him to repair and put in
order the beautiful old country place
left him by rich aunt, labored for full
ly six months before he was satisfied
with the results. But to-day, the last
carpenter had gone to his home in the
village, and Thornton, with pipe in
mouth and hands in his pockets, had
strolled slowly over the lawn, viewing
the gables from all points-and had
pronounced the work good.
1T took time and thought" he re-
marked aloud, to the clean-limbed, big
eyed mastiff Nero. his constant COM
panion, ''but it paid, old chap. The
old place hasn't looked SO well for gen.
erations, I'll wager, and the result JUS
titles all the time and money spent.
Don't you think so?"
The dog wagged his tale and looked
up into his masters face as if to ac
quiesce in both statements. and the
young man, with final appreciative
glance at the great mansion half buried
among the trees, led the wsV down a
winding little bride path to the river
that ran about the foot of the grounds.
81 ought to remember where that
swimming hole is" he continued.
hau ad n
spend whole afternoons in the water.
Nero? Or was it your father who played
with me when / was boy here? Time
flies so fast that / cannot separate one
generation of dogs from another and
he laughed as he patted the dogs
smooth flank. Another turn in the
pathway brought them within sight of
quiet little pool in the winding river,
and Thornton struck his thigh appre-
ciatively.
Here it is, by Jove!" he cried. Not
a thing changed. The same smooth
rock where we used to understand,
by the powers above, some one is TAX
ing a dip now, for there are his
clothes
The young mans gray eyes had
caught sight of a small pile of clothing
resting just where he had dropped his
own, many time, years before. Be-
fore the two had taken another step the
sound Of steady, gentle splashing came
to their ears, and a moment later
curly yellow head appeared from
around slight bendsin the river, while
the CLEAN of two white, well shaped
arms showed through the water. A
CHEEKY, girlish face looked at Thornton
for moment, and then the little swim
mer's expression changed, and with
cry of surprise she turned and started
quickly for her hiding place.
But before Thornton could utter cry
of warning to the child, the treacherbus
whirlpool, which he knew only too well.
had caught her and drawn her beneath
the surface Thornton sprang to the
edge of the stream and threw off his
coat. He hesitated second 70 make
sure that the child was being taken
away from shore, and then plunged in.
Nero thinking it some new game. fol-
lowed quickly, and master and dog
swan swiftly to the spot where the
child had disappeared. But before
Thornton reached it, the great dog had
realized the seriousness of the affair,
and as the girls head, with the pale
face, and the big eyes closed, came to
the surface again, the intelligent animal
swept past Thornton, and thrust his
nose under the white arm nearest him.
Then he turned and made his way back
to shore, the half unconscious child
clinging to his great neck. Thornton,
too astonished to speak, followed rs
fast as he might, and lifted her out
of the water as Nero reached the shall
lows She did not speak or move, and
Thornton, who had had experience in
such matters before, caught up his coat,
wrapped 1t about her, and began 20
shake her gently. Presently the big
blue eyes opened languidly and the little
lungs, relieved of the water, began to
breathe again.
You are safe now" said Thornton,
reassuringly. I'VE are going to put you
to bed, between some warm blankets,
and"
He stopped, for there in the pathway
above them stood a girl whose fresh,
pure beauty fairly took his own breath
away.
What has happened" she cried.
catching sight OF the child in Thornton's
arms rs she hurt? Oh, darling. what
have you been dolng?" and she ran for
ward Thornton motioned her back
gently. "She was in the water, he said.
and we frightened her. She went under,
and we got her out She's safe now. IL
you will kindly bring her frock and
things will carry her She is too
weak IN walk and too heavy for Won -