Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-10
...s

and bobbed and dipped. Molly uttered
an exclamation of alarm, which caused
him to glance round.
Don't be afraid. 1t can't go down.
and it can't turn over" he said reas-
suringly. "Sit on that branch and
you'll feel safer"
She obeyed him and their vessel
glided down the channel, the young
man directing 1t with his pole.
'It will be easier to go with the cur
rent than get across to the bank" he
explained We'll strike the bank lower
down."
The sun had now resumed the sky,
and nature beamed after the blackness
of that eclipse. There was a certain
satisfaction In the gentle motion, and
as Molly began to feel herself safe she
gave herself up to enjoyment. After
all she and the duke were having a
really romantic adventure. Fancy sail
Ing down the river on tree! She
wished Evelyn, her elder sister had
been there to see her. Even Della
But the landscape was singularly
empty, save for Marjorie's bulls" who
gazed mildly at the craft and it's occu-
pants, and then went on browsing.
Molly felt quite gay.
I'm afraid you're awfully wet" she
said kindly.
He laughed. Probably" he replied,
as If 1t mattered nothing. But you?"
"Oh, I'm almost dry, thanks to you"
she said, still more graciousy. "It
was your umbrella. Do you"-She
paused and went on. DO you take that
with you on your excursions?"
"Excursions?" he echoed with wary
eye on the corner they were approach
in.
II mean, of course, expeditions" she
corrected.
Expeditions" he repeated, and then
suddenly turned to her, inquiry and
amusement on his face. Almost as he
did so the log went aground and swung
around and Molly was almost precipi-
tated into the water. In her alarm she
held close to him, while he backed out
with the aid of his pole and facing the
oank brought them to anchor out of
the current and under small, precipi-
tous bank.
I'VE can land here" he said and put
out one hand without turning to seize
her. She gave him hers and he drew
her carefully forward till she was in
front of him, still anchoring his craft
by the pole in his other hand. Can
you climb up there without assist
ance?" he asked.
Molly was doubtful. so he hoisted her
with a strong arm and, using her fing-
ers and nails she gradually scrambled
up. Then she looked down on the
young man with an unintelligible feel
ing of regret that it was all over. 1t
did not take him more than two min
utes to join her. She greeted him
smilingly.
You're on the wrong side,' she re-
minded him.
Am II" he said. and gave her look.
useful, after ALL
They began to walk along the bank
almost involuntarily. "Stubbs can take
up your easel and things to the CASTLE
said Molly affaby, 80 that
MANY thanks" said he. But may
/ ask how did you know 1 was staying
at the castle?"
Molly turned little red, "Oh. L
thought guessed'-
You see I don't go on expeditions
and I'm not the duke" he went on
evenly. "My name happens to be plain
Messiter.'
"Oh," said Molly, and was silent.
''If l had been the duke 1 should
probably have been able to SWIM" he
continued reflectively. But if I'm not
the rose 1 have at least lived near it,
for 1 was at school with him."
"Indeed!" murmured Molly again.
Somehow the glory of the adventure
was fading. She had only been en-
gagged in it with man who could not
swim. Looking up a boat caught her
eye "Tiggy!" she shouted. The Hon.
Roger Martin brought to land the nose
of the boat which was being labored
up the tinged stream by himself and
Stubbs. the gardener. He adjusted his
eyeglass.
mot drowned, Molly?" he asked,
staring at her companion.
would you mind putting me
across?" said the latter. I'D better
get change, 1 suppose"
Tiggy assented and went so far as to
row the stranger down to the landing
stage, where, after the several ex
changes of conversation, they parted
in a friendly way. But Molly had said
no words since they embarked and she
merely inclined her head when the
young man made his farewell saluta-
ton.