Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-12-27
A. SATISFACTORY
REASON
sy tAsMETT c. HAu
copyright, BY Daily story Pub. Col

however, as she strolled along the
shaded bank OF the river with her
mail sister Mary. she felt an IRE
sistible inclination to do what she
was we'll aware her generous allow.
ince of old maid aunts would call de-
,idedly shocking.
I'm going In swimming. Mary" she
announced.
Mary looked at her in wlde-eyed A.
constituent.
But you haven't got any bathing
suit" Mary protested.
Edith took her small relation by the
shoulders. and looked into her eyes.
Her own were sparkling.
Can you keep secret. Mary?" she
asked.
Huh! For q box OF candy" that
mercenary young lady insinuated.
"All right. Then listen. You muJt
never. never tell soul about this. but
I'm going swimming-without any
bathing suit"
Gee! Bet you don't dare!" Mary
giggled.'
You just watch mel" Edith retort-
ed. her couraged braced by Mary's
doubt.
A few minutes passed; squirrel
peeped with bright, inQuisitive eyes.
from behind the trunk OF a tree. Then
a slender form slipped to the edge OF
the water. and a little heap OF cor
duroy and lace was left upon the moss
of the glade. There was a white fash
into the amber OF the stream, and the
girl came up putting and shivering.
-"Ough! But It's cold!" she chat
tered. and took few quick strokes to
warm herself, but the chill of autumn
was in the water. and Il very few min.
utes convinced her that swimming,
for this season, was no longer a Joy.
As she turned toward the bank. the
slight splash OF well.handled oars
came to her ears, and moment later
a shell shot round the bend Of the
stream an hundred yards below her.
For a moment she seemed para
lyzed. and then remembered that.
after all, she was out Of sight so long
as she remained under the water.
She allowed herself to sink until her
mouth was just clear. and waited.
The shell, keeping the middle OF the
stream, was by this time opposite her.
and with another thrill Of terror she
recognized the oarsman. At the same
instant he caught sight OF her head
and backed water.
Hello, Edith" he called, resting
upon his oars; pretty cold day for q
swim, isn't IT."
mo, it's just fine!" she asserted,
endeavoring to keep her teeth from
chattering.
IF you say It isn't too cool, I'll come
in too; a rowing suit and q bathing
suit are pretty close kin"
He stood up in the shell, and kicked
of his canvass shoes.
But Edith, she amt" Mary, who
was perched upon stump upon the
bank, began explosively, but was
scared into sudden silence by the
glance from her sisters eyes.
But was just going out" she said.
as Bob Perry began to take In his
oars.
"Oh, that's all right. I'll hit few
strokes, anyway" he said, catching
| A. o,,o,h n a. otr ~ hra nch NJ q froa with
the intention of securing the shell
thereto.
"But-but I don't want you. don't
want you to come In at ALL want
you to 90 away" Edith cried. upon
the verge OF tears.
He paused, and looked at her In as
| constituent.
"Why, what's the matter, Edithr
he asked; what have l done? I
thought you'd be glad to see me. you
know. was coming to call this even
ing"
But l didn't want to see you'll
mean, didn't want you to see me
Oh, l mean / want you to 90 away!
never want to see you again!" the
poor girl, chilled and miserable. cried
angrily.
A look of blank stupifaction and
pain crossed his face, and he settled
himself in the shell.
IL don't deserve this, Edith" he
said,- gravely; but, as you wish 1t,
good-by."
The sculls dipped, and q minute
later he had disappeared around the
bend In the stream. The girl climbed
hastily ashore, and shiveringly donned
her clothing. The pace she set on
the homeward way tried both the tenn
per and the legs Of her small sister
to the utmost.
It was q very miserable existence
Edith spent for the next two days.
Upon the second afternoon Bob Perry
had called, and though she knew he
must have seen her In the garden
when he drove up. she, with . sud
den fit Of uncomfortable shyness. had
sent word that she was not at home"
The following day marked the clos
ing Of the boat-club season, and there
would be the customary esstivlties. In
GLIDING luncheon on the lawn. To the
astonishment OF all her Ariends Faith
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