The Lamar register., 1901-09-11

sistance, ne 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 1t easy enough to
make speed here. and by the time she
had come to the surface again. he was
beside her. Slipping one arm beneath
hers. 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 alive!" he muttered. "T
have rescued mermaid, not a mortal.
Either that. or l am clear crazy!" 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 BATH suit; but at the waist
line reality stopped and romance be-
gan. A delicately shaped, tapering
tain trout. dotted with spangles of
gold and red, finished the uncanny
picture that Van Holden beheld. For
moment he could only stare; then,
recovering himself somewhat, he pick
ed up his coat and spread 1t gently
over her. Recovering his pipe also
he 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 furiously
trying to think what he could say or
do. AT the end of that time he turned
and looked at the pathetic little heap
and saw her stir. "u
What an idiot 1 am" he cried.
springing to his feet. Mermaid or
girl. she needs attention. instead OF
foolish gazing at-where's my flask?",
He found it. still uninjured in his
hip pocket. and STOPPING. he gently
forced the pretty lips apart and poured
a 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? 1t is too bad-but I
am very grateful. SIR"
Sir? Van Holden looked again. She
was mere child. not over fifteen or
sixteen at the most, and-Gracious
Heaven! she was stripping Off that
remarkable extremity. as If 1t were
made of rubber!
AS she shook herself free from 1t and
stood up in a very fetching bathing
suit and stockings. he smiled-and
took a swallow of the brandy himself,
"If you'll excuse me-" he said apollo
getically. 'I-your appearance rather
upset me-" A rare. but strangely pa
thetic smile answered him.
Il don't wonder" she said: you
must be colder than l." Shaking her.
self free of the sand which clung to
her dress. she gathered up the remark
able covering and rolled it into a bun
die which she tucked under one arm.
Il am very grateful to you." she said
again. land l hope you have not worn
yourself out"
NO" he interrupted. but before
you go will you kindly tell me why
you are out SO 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 lower tone, You
must not breathe word of this, for he
would punish me If you did; but he
makes me learn to swim so. My
mother died last winter. Then my
father, whom l had never seen before,
came and took me away, and I am
learning to swim with that tail. It is
like swimming without your feet-and
that wouldn't be very easy, would it?"