The Washington times., 1902-05-04
AT HIGH NOON.
BY NEvA LILLIAN WILLIAMS.

there to rest. She took a sudden fancy TO
explore the woodland back of the bay,
and he ran the boat up on the beach and
sprapg out to fasten it. Just as he
stopped to secure the chain to a log
which had been washed up on the rocks,
J and which the sun had bleached TO an
ashy grayness, she sprang out beside him,
at the same time pushing him violently
aside. He looked up in surprise, to fin1
her face as white as the foam that capped
/ the lake billows, and her little foot, in
! its stout walking sfoe, planted firmly on
the head of a rattl ;. 1t had evidently
been summing itself on the rocks, and, be-
ing disturbed, had coiled to strike. 1t had
sent out its warning rattle, which had
been unheeded by the man, but quick as
fash the girl had seen his danger.
'1t was one of the bravest acts l have
ever known, for there is no doubt but
that her promptness saved his life. Be
fore he could dispatch the reptile, 1t had
coiled itself around her ankle, but she
never flinched, although her face kept
getting whittier and whittier. For a wonder
she didn't faint, and she refused to be
made heroine OF, in spite of the vigor-
Gus efforts of the people at the hotel. He
was really very fond of her, and linked to
that now was a feeling of gratitude, but
he was never for an instant disloyal to
the girl he had promised to marry. They
were the closest of friends-that is, as
close as man and woman can be without
- -
anything else until he went to say good
by.
They were dancing at the hotel when
the clerk handed him a wire from his
firm to take the morning train home. Her
name was down on his card for the next
waltz, and he went in search of her. She
consented to sit out the dance with him,
and t'.ey went to one end of the long
piazza to catch the breeze, for the night
was very warm. II was after IL o'clock,
and most Of the older people had gone
upstairs. and for time the piazza was
deserted. An angle of the house shut them
off completely, and the music came TO
them softened and sweetened by distance
He told her he had been called home, and
this was practically their good-by, as he
must take the early train. She took the
news very quietly. and they fell to talk
ing over the incidents that had cemented
their friendship. She let him do most OF
the talking only speaking now and then
in strangely subdued voice. He was a
little piqued that she took the news of
his departure so indifferently, and after
a while he got up and held out his hand.
Lets say good-by out here under
the stars he said. 1T will seem more sin
cere than in there with all that artificial
life and light
Before he knew 1t she had her arms
around his neck. and was sobbing, heart
brokenly. on his shoulder. He was thor
oughly startled and distressed. He had
never dreamed that Ehe cared for him
like that, and he tried to soothe her as
best he could. II was weak and coward
Iy, suppose. but he couldn't tell her he
was going to marry in the fall, that even
the maid OF honor and best man had been
chosen. He kissed her. and smoothed her
hair. and petted her into composure again, |
and-well. he went off leaving her under
the impression that he loved her. They |
exchanged dozen or so letters, and then |
he ceased to write. II was all he could do. |
He could not be brutal enough to tell her |
the truth, when he had acted So"
rhe girl in the rocking chair had been |
listening with breathless interest. An
odd, half frightened look had come into |
her eyes. When he paused. she drew in |
her breath sharply.
Are you sure your friend is not
fction7 You told that as II 1t were a
personal reminiscence." she said.
No, am not the hero of nv own
story, but have heard the poor boy talk
of II SO often the incidents have grown
upon me. He was terribly cut up over
IT,"
Ibid he ever tell you the girls name?"
she questioned.