The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-11-06

aSlohlSueu lace anu JuHlpeu uuSTdCe-
fully enough, feet foremost, into the
darkness.
The tide was at its height and the
water at that particular spot Gas l
heard later) eight feet in depth.
| grabbed a woman's dress and at
tempted to seize a projecting point in
the masonry, but the stone work was
grip. Moreover, the waves stroye in
dustriously to dash us against the
wall. The adventure had more in it
than its promise, but l am a strong
swimmer, and, fortified by the cries of
the spectators, who each shouted differ
ent advice, won my way to the sands.
Here, awaiting me, were Mike and a
young, pretty girl could not help
laughing outright; it reminded me SO
wildly of the chorus of a comic opera
the 40 aforesaid members Of the
American public.
SIS she dead?" began the girl, in that
tone which always indicates the ap-
proach of hysteria.
mo, Peggy; don't be silly, dear"
IVY ucl, lStui IlhS SuNucLly "
consciousness-'tis woman's way when
danger Is past-spoke hergelf. I'm
wet through, though" she added, rue
fully, and shivered.
where are you staying?" asked
Mike. He is a practical msn-a sheet
anchor in moments of emergency.
bay hotel" said his late companion.
Then, by George, SyG," he ex-
claimed, with the pride of u happy in
spiration, well just borrow this boat
and row back for all we're worth.
Twill be quicker than walking along
shore. Hurry up, man. A good hard
pull will warm you, too, after your cold
bath. AS for the destroye.:, it's found
its bed on the rocks; let it lie Oil it.
We've other fish to fry just now"
AS we showed off, taking a couple of
oars apiece, the mob on the beach
raised a parting cheer. The American
public is a demonstrative animal. But
Mike was good enough to take this APP
plause as his own, and, rising, bowed
solemnly to the delighted crowd. That
he nearly cai;s:aea ga: heal Ia s.: aa!nis
only intensified their enthusiasm.
l was in dread lest thes" we'll mean.
ing folk might proceed ID the hotel
and give us another ovation on GU.
arrival, but evidently the stranded de.
stroyer was too strong a counter.
attraction.
"Syd, old boy, you're q lucky chap
Dye know who the girl iS!?"
Haven't the remotest idea. I've
never seen either Of them before, tc
my knowledge"
Mike had dropped his vIice to a low
whisper. The other men in the smok.
ing room were cycling us curiousiy
and half enyiously, | fancied. Surely
l thought, no llmo OF my swim hat
been carried here. If there's one thing
I dislike more than toothache it j!
cheap notoriety.
A Miss Peggy Burford, only child o
Millionaire Burford, an heiress, an,
as beautiful as she is wealthy. I'v'
already interviewed her, on your be
half, and she's just dying to thank he,
heroic preserver in person."
"Stop that, Mike" l cried, sharply
There are some subjects unfit 70
levity, and that little-er-episode o
last night is one. Why, man, 'twa
nothing. You'd have done as mucl
---''
only you didn't give me the chance
You were always hasty, sgd"
groWled inarticulately. / have n
objection to saving a woman's life
assuming my prompt action went a
far as that-but | did not want to pos
as a hero on the strength of it. Be
sides, an heiress-probably a million
heiress!
I'll suppose, Mike, I'd better JUS
see her, andLhum!-ask her how sh
feels after her involuntary dip?"
sSure, and it's herself that's waitin
outside in the corridor now for tina
identical purpose"
i went out, awkwardly enough. TIL
two girls were standing at the hote
door, chatting, and laughing gayly. A
! I bowed, wondering how to begin, on
came forward and held out a daint
! hand.
ME-. weldon, l can never nope l
thank you enough for your Drawer.
butt am grateful
Our eyes met, and mine fell instant
ly. For in that brief flash of time
read my fate.
And / could have groaned aloud i
j bitterness of heart at the cruel iron
of it. la common scribbler-and sh,
! a m~illionaire's daughter.
=
Despising myself for my moral veal
d ness, almost ready to curse myself fe
my folly, mo better than my brothel
men, worse, perhaps, than many
: counted h~enceforward that hour To-
5 In which ! did not see, and speak t
\ Peggy Burford. A week had passe
since Jul adventure, and each day
g almost each hour-had brought to n
z happiness and un~speakable pain tn;
could not be measured in words.
i But In my blindness, though I cou
u deceive myself, there was one wi
j. saT
! stNIy dear Syd. YOU must forgive ii