Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-10-29

there was a piercing scream, a splash,
and that panic-stricken rush of people
which always ensues upon a serious
accident.
l guessed instinctively what had hap
pened. In the eager throng of onlook-
ers pressing too near the edge of the
unguarded wall, some one had fallen,
or been by inadvertence pushed over.
/ glanced down at the black, seething
water. 1t was no inviting sight, but |
tore off my coat, flung it into Mikes
astonished face and jumped, ungrace-
fully enough, feet foremost, into the
darkness.
The tide was at its height and the
water at that particular spot (as 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
too slippery, and | could secure no
grip. Moreover, the waves strove 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.
rs she dead?" began the girl, in that
tone which always indicates the ap-
proach Of hysteria.
mo, Peggy; don't be silly, dear"
My burden, returning suddenly to
consciousness-'tis woman's way when
danger is past-spoke herself. I'm
wet through, though she added, rue
fully, and shivered.
Where are you staying?" asked
Mike. He is a practical mana sheet
anchor in moments of emergency.
Bay hotel" said his late companion.
"Then, by George, Syd," he ex-
claimed, with the pride of a 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 our cold
bath. AS for the destroyer, it's found
it's bed on the rocks; let it lie on 1t.
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 ap-
plause as his own, and, rising, bowed
solemnly to the delighted crowd. That
he nearly capsized our boat in so doing
only intensified their enthusiasm.
| was in dread lest these we'll mean
ing folk might proceed to the hotel
and give us another ovation on our
arrival, but evidently the stranded de-
stroyer was too strong a counter
attraction.
"Syd, old boy, you're a lucky chap.
Dye know who the girl is"'
Haven't the remotest idea. I've
never seen either of them before, to
my knowledge"
Mike had dropped his voice to a low
whisper. The other lei in the smok-
ing room were cycling us curiously,
and half %enviously, | fancied. Surely,
| thought, no rumor of my swim had
been carried here. If there's one thing
l dislike more than toothache it is
cheap notoriety.
Miss Peggy Burford, only child of
Millionaire Burford, an heiress, and
as beautiful as she is wealthy. I've
already interviewed her, on your be-
half, and she's just dying to thank her
heroic preserver in person"
stop that, Mike" l cried, sharply.
There are some subjects unfit for
levity, and that little-er-episode of
last night is me-. Why, man, twas
nothing. You'd have done as much
-
"Only you didn't give me the chance.
You were always hasty, Sgd"
l growled ina%rticulately. l have no
objection to saving a woman's life
assuming my prompt action went as
far as that-but l did not want to pose
as a hero on the strength of it. Be-
sides, an heiress-probably a million
heiress!
I'll suppose, Mike, I'd better just
see her, and-hum!-ask her how she
feels after her involuntary dip?"
Sure, and It's herself that's waiting
outside in the corridor now for that
identical purpose"
l went out, awkwardly enough. The
two girls were standing at the hotel
door, chatting and laughing gayly. AS
| bowed, wondering how to begin, one
came forward and held out a dainty
hand.
"Mr. Weldon, l can never hope to
thank you enough for your bravery,
but l am grateful"
Our eyes met, and mine fell instant
ly. For in that brief flash of time l
read my fate.
And | could have groaned aloud in
bitterness of heart at the cruel irony
of it. Ia common scribbler-and she,
a millionaire's daughter.
Despising myself for my moral weak
ness, almost ready to curse myself for
my folly, mo better than my brother
men, worse, perhaps, than many
counted henceforward that hour lost
in which I did not see, and speak to,
Peggy Burford. A week had passed
since our adventure, and each day
almost each hour-had brought to me
happiness and unspeakable pain that
could not be measured in words.
But in my blindness, though | could
deceive myself, there was one who
saw.