Amador ledger., 1906-05-25
AN AFTER DINNER
STORY

lue ldlter uaQ cOHee IN the drawing
room. Mrs. Ernest remarked that she
had heard that the first meeting Of
Mrs. Amory with her husband had
been very romantic and asked Mrs.
Amory to tell about it. Mrs. Amory
compiled, telling how the man she was
to marry had surprised her in street
costume when she had intended that
he should see her in evening dress.
This led to other stories of similar
kind, each more vapid than the last.
One Of the party, q newcomer among
them, sat unnoticed by the rest. When
the conversation Jagged one of the Ia
dies said to her:
II judge, Mrs.-I beg pardon, l didn't
catch your name-that you can't con-
tribute to these interesting episodes or
you would have done so already
There was a trifing incident be-
tween me and the man 1 married, but
I fear it would sound tame"
I'm sure it would not. Tell it by
all means"
"Mr Hardy-Hardy is my name-in
the summer of 1S9- owned a yacht.
He invited small party to go sailing
with him, 1 among the number. The
truth is he had been in love with me
since the previous Christmas, when he
had saved me from death, my dress
having been set aflame by a burning
Christmas tree"
81 should suppose that it would have
been you who fell in love with him, y
remarked one of the ladies, taking a
fresh cup Of coffee.
$50 l did. His coat tails caught fire.
Selling them, hugged them to my
bosom, extinguishing them. 1 saved
his life, but retain scar on my breast
to this day."
Several Of the ladies put down their
coffee cups. All were interested. This
was something far more stirring than
anything that had yet been produced.
"As I was saying" continued the mar
rator, "Fitzherbert-Fitzh was
his first name-got up the yachting
party on purpose to propose to me.
After luncheon every one left US alone
together in the cabin. Fitzherbert
L
out with maidenly modesty. My hus-
band,' 1 told him, must be brave, cool
In the presence Of danger and, withal,
resourceful.' Would he replied, that
1 might find an opportunity to show at
least that 1 can die for you.'
"Delightfulr exclaimed several lis
teners in unison.
Suddenly saw him start. l listen
ed, with him, and heard a strange noise
without. Then something struck the
yacht, and we were thrown against the
side, which had now become the floor.
Then there was further change, and
we stood on the ceiling. The yacht had
been caught in a squall unprepared
and had turned turtle"
BEG pardon" said Mrs. Amory.
"What do you mean by turning turtle?"
"Capsize," replied the narrator i'm
perturbably. "Of course the water
rushed in, but the air caught in the
cabin prevented its being filed. We
stood in water up to our necks in al
most total darkness on the ceiling of
the cabin"
"Good graciousw exclaimed the party
at breath.
"FitZhcrbert at once took advantage
of the situation to show that he pos
sessed every requirement to be my
husband. Taking me in his arms, he
said to me: DO not be alarmed This
is nothing. Trust to me-
'"The yacht was full of fishing tackle,
and fishhook fortunately caught in
his clothes. Pulling on the line to
which it was attached, he drew up a
reel.
"'My plan is complete he said.
Hold on to the reel l shall dive and
rise to the surface beside the yacht,
taking the line with me. When l am
free l shall pull you out by the line.
Courage
"Now, there was just one best place
to attach the fishhook, butt t"-hesltating
81 don't like to mention it.''
''Do So" You must" "Tell u.s."
came from the group at a breath.
''The seat of his trousers. Giving me
parting caress to reassure me he
dived, and In about q minute 1 felt a
pull on the line"
what terrible situationw exclaim-
ed Mrs. Ernest.
ut was the moment of my life. l
followed the line under water, was
guided down the companionway and
under the gunwale, then rose to the
surface, where Fitzherbert caught me-
supported me to the yacht, and we
crawled up on the bottom, from whence
we were rescued later by a tug"
The lady ceased to speak, and every
one present drew long breath.
Were the others savedT" inquired
one Of the party.
"All lost" was the reply. "Not one
left to congratulate us on the engage
ment that occurred on the yachts bot
TOM"
The story teller stirred her coffee,
slipped it and sat demurely silent.
did you not suffer from shock?"
asked Mrs. Ernest.
II would have had 1 not been stimu-
lated by the devotion I had received.
had been saved from a horrible death
by a man who loved me devotedly,
whom 1 loved and who filled all my
requirements in q husband"
Soon after the party dispersed. When
the rest had gone Mrs. Amory asked
the hostess:
"Who Is your friend who has passed
through such thrilling eXperience?"
"She is a writer of fiction. Her
story, I fancy, was impromptu, but
was none the less interesting. I'm
glad she enlisted your attention. You
did NOT saann to nntino hni. at &rrt