Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-29

all that was needed, and mere was a
lurch and splash, and over we went.
But through some stupidity on my
part my feet got caught in the thwart,
and when, after a moment, managed
to extricate myself and come up pant
ing, my lady was collecting paddles
and cushions in the most insouciant
way, meanwhile swimming about as
easily as If water were her natural
element.
Are you all rights? she called out,
looking more concerned about me
than thought necessary; and with
her bonnet and hair scarcely splashed,
SO calmly had she fallen in.
"'Yes; I'm all right now. Let me
help you,' I answered, striking out in
her direction. "w y
Don't bother about me. I can
easily swim to shore. It's only about
quarter of mile. You had better
right your canoe and put the things
in, before the cushions sink and off
she went, striking out with a long,
easy stroke that looked good for twice
the distance.
well, l was in fix. ! never in
tended to overturn the canoe conn
pletely In tipping the girl out, and
would not have done SO il my wretch
ed feet had not caught, for had not
the slightest idea how to right it. It
looked so simple to have just spilled
us out and then supporting her with
one arm while I rescued, padded, ct
cetera, with the other-indeed, even
had an idea of towing the canoe by
holding the painter in my teeth as
had seen others do. But, alas! the
best laid schemes O. mice and men
gang aft a-gley. So what could / ex-
pect with such clumsy plot as mine :?
For though had seen the girl in
bathing had no idea a woman could
swim a quarter Of a mile in her
clothes.
But don't you<be surprised at any
thing Canadian girls do! Well, I had
my hands full, trying to turn that
canoe over without filing 1t with
water-try 1t yourself some time
and after vainly struggling with it for
ten minutes and being unable to
move 1t, SO heavy was 1t, gave up
and made for shore, which my water
witch was fast approaching with I'M
| abated energy.
Perhaps wasn't vexed when, on
looking behind me, spied a sailboat
containing the bank clerk and two
other men from our hotel bearing
down upon the shore just in front OF
my companion in distress-or rather
my late companion. for she seemed
| perfectly az ease. They did not deign
TO notice me till they rushed past. and
then one insulting creature called out:
Hello, Ferryboat! Beaten out by a
girl, eh?' making me SO angry that I
nearly checked then and there.
We'll, they carried her off, and
were kind enough to empty my canoe
for me and push it off in my direction.
So I clambered in and padded home
by myself, sadder and permanent-
ly wiser man,
"Her engagement to the bank clerk
was announced that evening, $50 you
may suppose was heartily glad had
intended leaving there the next day,
for shouldn't have cared about stay
ing longer Naturally was the
laughing stock of the house, for Il was
impossible for me to explain. No one
would have believed I had done on
purpose thing which made me cut
! so poor a figure. Sol had to keen
silent, swallow my rage and wish
the young people JOY into the bar
gain.
But I'll never try any dodge like
| that on Canadian girl again, an
don't You, either, my boy. They're
! dangerous game. IN. Y. Tribune.