The Cairo bulletin., 1906-08-13

moor or the pontoon, 40 be seated an,
be comfortable"
Don't you suppose some one saw N
and Will come TO the rescue" asseC
the girl
Whitcomb shook his head dubiousy
TN afraid not. The mule boy was
not In sight when the thing happened
and hell probably spend the remainder
Of the day hunting for his mules"
The girl did not appear as anxious as
might have been expected and Whit
comb sat down beside her,
1T viii take some time to ftogt down
there, he said, "and in the meantime
| III tie these ropes together"
she watched his clever fingers III
| silence, and Whltcomb was moved
| with strange desire to talk Of him
| self.
| DO you know. you are the first east
ern girl I've spoken to in five years."
Surprise on the rose tinted face be-
side him.
Il haven't been back east since fin
ished college. At first | wrote often,
especially toto, Well wrote often.
but
But" smiled the girl, you both be-
gan to lose enthusiasm"
Whtconb looked at her gratefully.
Yes, something like that at least I'm
afraid she did She was n pale little
girl not eighteen, when saw her last,
She h.sl 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.
- little hard ON her ii she really
cares"
Whitcomb sighed, with firm lines
showing around his Lips Il know it,
and I'm going back there this summer
to find her
But, then, perhaps she has forgotten
long ago Seventeen IL very young
4 dull red showed under Whitcombs
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 meI
No meekly, "but--but you are ev-
erything I've grown to admire in
woman, 50 fine aud strong, and
Look, Look" she INTERRUPTED
The pontoou was hearing sudden
bend in the river and they were being
swept nearer to the shore But few
feet ahead of them great tree leaned
ar out over the water, It's branches al
most touching the surface. There was
10 time for deiheration. no time to
top the pontoon, for the force of the
urrent here was terrific.
Before the girl could spring to her
Get Whitcomb had lifted her with one
rm, while with the other he clung dos
erately to great branch. The pom
Don was swept away, and for one
wful moment 1t seemed that they
lust be drawn into the swlrlIng depths
eneath. Bat somehow. with the aid
{ the little strength Of tho cir! and
be powerful shoulders Of the man,
hey found themselves up on the trunk
{ The tree. 4 moment later they were
afe ashore.
The girl looked at him and spoke
nth lips and voice that trembled.
That's twice that you have saved
le"
Whltcomb was holding both hands In
Is but neither of them seemed con-
,ious Of the fact There was a do or
le expression in his gray eyes. I'm :
ping to say something. You needn't
ind rs this will be the last time that :
1u will ever see me-" !, ,
The girl seemed about to interrupt. y
1t Whitcomb gave her no opportu- !
ty. :
Tiff | were free I'd do my best TO !.
AXE you love me- You are my ideal ;,
what Il girl should be. That knowl- =
ge can do you no harm. can it? And =
| can't help feeling it, am no more :,
sloyal to that other girl in telling a
an in feeling 1t. Come we must set ;,
Il for your camp" =,
But the girl stood still. The lowering -.
n glinted on her beauty until Whit
NIB turned away with firm pressed m
U.s.
'Pcrhaps-if only she has forgottenf" ~.
Nhitconb turned 10 her curiously. ~
Would there be-no, I've no right to n,
/ now" "a
Ihe sweet mouth dimpled "lf that ar
Tie girl had lived out of doors for IN
@ years would you recognize her, i'm
ln Nhitcombf" ia
Ehitcomb put out a trembling hand 70
j turned her face fun into the sun. wi
great conviction lighted his face. w,
he cried. Margaret, do he
9 love me stillt' m,
Yes" said Margaret And there was L,
sound on the river bank but the fer
ping OF the water ca
--------- de
Chinese Wedding superstitions. tai
20 other country has so many super he
ions about marriage as China. The Z