The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-25


! quer him; l shall devote my life to
him, and he shall make me happy"
Indeed" said Benson. do you
think you can be true to him?'
"Oh, most assuredly," she laughed.
II shall be devotion itself. For this
fellows name is Literature. l have no
other love. l desire no other-now or
at any time"
She lapsed into silence, watching a
numbering ferryboat swing lazily
across the river. Then suddenly she OBJ
served, without turning her head:
THE truth is, Mr.. Benson. 1 have
forced my company upon you for the
purpose of making a study of your
character, of your peculiar1ties, of your
emotions"
The man WINGED. Il do not under
stand you" he faltered.
We'll, you have been frank with me,
so will 1 be frank with you" she re-
piled II am engaged in writing a nov
Ell. 1t is to be called The Woman
Halter You have furnished sufficient
material to make the hero decidedly
original and interesting. Do you under
stand me now?"
Il think l do he said, rising, land
I am reminded of that ancient artist
who is reported to have tortured his
slaves that he might correctly picture
agony ana suffering.
On the wea Their beaten wharfboat
Arthur Benson sat. his feet dangling
over the side, a fishing rod in his hand.
The sky was overcast and the rising
wind sent scores of little whitecaps
scurrying toward shore at frequent in
tervals. In midstream a sailboat rode
bravely upon the waves, a woman in a
white gown at the tiller.
Benson had noticed the craft and had
been impressed with the unprofessional
manner in which it was handled AS
the wind increased in force and the
waves beat harder and higher beneath
his feet he watched the boat with in
creasing apprehension.
Suddenly mighty gust of wind
swept down the river, and the sailboat,
which had been allowed to turn until
its broad sail was directly across the
path of the wind, careened an instant
then toppled over.
Benson saw the slender, white-robed
inquire pitch headlong into the water.
He sprang to his feet and gazed across
the angry waves. He saw the woman
struggle violently in the current a mo-
ment, then grasp the side of the cap
sized boat and try to right it,
Who is it?'' he asked the wharf
master, standing in helpless fright be-
side him.
It's Miss Gilmore" the other said.
She"
But Benson did not wait for further
words. With a face suddenly grown
ashen he sprang from the wharfboat
TO the shore and ran along the bank
for a short distance until he reached a
small skiff that was fastened to q
stake. This he cut adrift and. SPRING
ing in, he grasped the oars determin-
eddy and sent the boat with the speed
of the wind toward the center of the
river.
Precipitation sprang from every pore;
blisters raised upon his hands; his mus
cles ached with his exertion. But he
did not heed the pain. He rowed with
all the power of desperation, a strange
thrill stimulating his nerves At in
tervals he turned his head to get his
bearings and smiled to note the form
In white still clinging to the drifting
sailboat, her frightened eyes watching
him. And finally-he reached her side
She clasped the hand he held to her
Then her strength failed and she faint
ed. So he put his arm around her
waist and lifted her out of the water
Tenderly he held her in his arms; the
moisture of her breath was upon his
RiEChs anu III his I, a new anC
yet an old, old thrill.
Softly he laid her apparently uncon.
scious form in the bottom of the boat
the impulsively stopped and kissed her
Finally she opened her eyes.
You are not injured?" he asked
anxiously.
NO" she replied, shivering. 81 an
only chilled
He removed his coat and wrapped
it around her.
THANK you, Arthur" she said,
sober tenderness in her eyes. "Yol
are very, very kind to one--who is
woman
He WINGED visibly, and she flushed
, Forgive me-" she said. hastily. %
am sorry"
He stood with his hand upon tn
knob of the door, looking at her, hi
( face kindled with mingled doubt ant
hope. Smiling, she crossed the room
and placed her hand upon his Shout
You stupid old dear she said, I'd
you not know I have loved you eve
since the day in last September whe1
| you kissed me?"
when kissed your" he stammereo
Yes" she laughed, when yo
pulled me out of the river. don't yo
remember"
The man flushed. then laughed lon
and loud. Then he grew serious.
And you will marry me. Bernice :?
he asked
Yes, Arthur" she replied. 81 Wi
| marry you tomorrow"
so soon?" he asked in surprise
why not? To-day will but add t
your fear that l will change my mind.
But your novel," he said, g
thought"
II am not to finish my novel" sh
rejoined. gayly. The theme is impos
! sible. There are no women haters.