The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-08-16

Whitc0mb shook his head obviously.
"I'm afraid not The mule boy was
not in sight when the thing happened,
and he'll probably spend the remainder
of the day hunting for his mules"
The girl did not appear as anxious rs
might have been expected, and NVhil-
comb sat down beside her.
TT will take some time to foat down
there, he said, and in the meantime
I'll tie these ropes together
She watched his clever fingers in
silence and Whitcomb was moved
with a strange desire to talk Of him
self
DO you know. you are the first east
ern girl I've spoken to in five yearsI'
Surprise on the rose tinted face be-
side him.
Il haven't been back east since I fin
ished college. At first | wrote often,
especially toto, we'll, / wrote often,
but
But" smiled the girl, 'you both be-
gan to lose enthusiasm? %
Whitcomb looked at her gratefully.
Eyes, something like that at least. I'm
afraid she did. She was pale little
girl, not eighteen, when l saw her last.
She had hair something like yours, but
without those rich, dark shades. | was
mighty fond of the little girl, but I'm
afraid I've grown away from the cling
ing vine type
The violet eyes were noncommittal.
IA little hard on her if she really
cares
Whitcomb sighed, with firm lines
showing around his lips. II know it,
and I'm going back there this summer
to find her"
But, Their, perhaps she has forgotten
long ago. Seventeen is very young"
A dull red showed under ,Whitcomb's
tan. perhaps she has. Live been
hoping since this afternoon that she
has"
The eyes were scornful now do
you think you've any right to say that
to me?"
NO." meekly, 'but-but you are ev-
woman, SO fine and strong, and
"Look! Look!' she interrupted
The pontoon was nearing sudden
bend in the river and they were being
swept nearer to the shore But a few
feet ahead of them a great tree leaned
far out over the water, its branches al
most touching the surface There was
no time for deliberation, no time to
stop the pontoon, for the force of the
current here was terrific.
Before the girl could spring to her
feet Whitcomb had lifted her with one
arm, while with the other he chung des-
perately to a great branch. The pom
toon was swept away, and for one
awful moment it seemed that they
must be drawn into the swirling depths
beneath. But somehow, with the aid
Of the little strength of the girl and
the powerful shoulders of the man,
they found themselves up on the trunk
of the tree a moment later they were
safe ashore
The girl looked at him and spoke
with lips and voice that trembled
That's twice that you have saved
me-
Whitcomb was holding both hands i'll
his, but neither of them seemed con-
scious of the fact There was a do or
die expression in his gray eyes. I'm
going to say something. You needn't
mind. as this will be the last time. that
you will ever see me-
The girl seemed about to interrupt,
h11t
nifty
Tiff | were free I'd do my best to
make you love me- You are my ideal
Of what girl should be. That knowl-
edge can do you no harm, can it? And
as 1 can't help feeling it, 1 am no more
disloyal to that other girl in telling
than in feeling it. Come we must set
out for your camp
But the girl stood still. The lowering
sun glinted on her beauty until Whit
comb turned away with firm pressed
lips.
"Perhaps-if only she has forgotten?"
Whitcomb turned to her curiously
would there be-no, I've no right to
ask now"
The sweet mouth dimpled. eff that
little girl had lived out of doors for
five years would you recognize her,
John Whitcomb?"
Whitc0mb put out trembling hand
and turned her face full into the sun.
A great conviction lighted his face
'AIargaret!' he cried. Margaret do
YOU love me still?''
Yes" said Margaret. And there was
no sound on the river bank but the
ripping Of the water
Chinese Wedding Superstitions,
No other country has so many super
stitions about marriage as China The
Chinese never marry within a hundred
days after death has taken place in
the family of either the bride or groom,
for if they do they believe domestic
troubles are sure to follow. There
seems to be no reason for this belief,
and the Chinese do not attempt to ex-
plain it, but are willing to let it go