Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-07-14

S1S ttVe1s0 w. s@S
I'm drowning" Sam cried Can
Jon seer"
. That's too bad" Jack observed, Dis
: interestedly. How did It happens"
=. Happen! Say, get me out of here
and don't stop there to ask fool ques
tionA" to
! -oh. would you like for me- to rescue
your"
"Of course What are you talking
about! Do you think I want Ia
drownf"
why. I should hardly think %. And
you would really like for me to ave
you'll"
Eyes. Be quick about It, too. I can't
hang on here much longer"
"Is that so? Then your hold on the
boat Is not just as secure as you could
wish?"
mo. it amt. But are you going to
save met"
RI hardly know. Maybe I will and
maybe I won't. 1t all depends on you"
ION me? How?"
well, l shall ask you to make q few
promises. and II you do so III save you,
otherwise I'll have to leave you to shift
for yourself"
II won't make any promises-only
one. Ill promise to shoot you the first
minute I have q chance"
"Not If I save your life?"
Eyes. I'll shoot you no matter what
you do"
'"Then. l guess Ill be going. Good
day!"
Burns turned back toward the shore.
but he had mot gone far when Sam
yelled to him:
Here! What are you doing? Are
you going of and leave me to drown?"
~ am sorry to see you drown" Burns
replied, turning back. "But I can't az
ford to v you 70 you can shoot me.
That wouldn't be good policy, would
it?"
Old Sans finger began to slip of
the boat.
Save mel" he screamed, "and !
won't shoot you"
Every good" Burns replied calmly,
''but you must make some other prom
~ises.".
"'What are they? Quick!"
well, for n thing, you must prom
Use not to try to force Minerva Into
marriage with old Ben Tucker"
That's my business"
Just so. And saving your life, or
not, is mine"
Sans fingers were slipping more and
more.
II promise, dem you," he screeched.
Nov saw me-"
mot yet" Burns replied. "You must
make one more promise first"
"Wha IL It'll"
"As she and l love each other, and
as you can have no reason for object
Ing to me as a son-in-law, you must
to give me Minerva for q
wife"
"Never!"
"Not even to ave your life. Mr.. Jud-
2"
"No. Haven't you already eloped
With her and married herr"
mot at all. merely took her, at
Ter request, 10 some friends over in
own to keep you from forcing her to
marry old Tucker. But are you going
o agree to my last request, or shall i
I'D you good day."
Old Sam hesitated q moment, then,
. his fingers gave another slip, he,
aid: WI bF5
Save me, dem II, and I'll promise
nything."
"All right" Burns replied.
Then he swan DIP and turned the
oat over and threw old Sam into 1t,
her which he climbed In himself. Sc
lring the oars, which had hung In
10 looks. he struck out for the shore.
For some distance they went along
silence, but old Sans face wore
Ich o sad, w~oebegone expression that
rally Burns was constrained to
eak.
"Mr. Judkins," he said, you seem
Dubbed and unhappy. What is the
Sam drew q long, hopeless sigh.
I'm ruined" he moaned. ruined,
How sol" Burns asked.
Ben Tucker has q mortgage on my
I'd and now he'll forecloss and turn
, out on the world. It's awful"
Is that all your troublef"
AM Isn't It enough. at my age, to
set adrift, homeless and pennilessf"
1t would be, II such q thing was TO
ppen to you"
Well. It viii happen. all right It's
and to now"
I must differ with you there, Mr..
ikins. Minerva's father shall never
q such . fate. I'll ind the money
pay fuckers claims"
You Will"
OF course, I VIII"
Are you surs you cant"
! have 10000 IN the bank. woar
1 do iti".