The Meeker herald., 1907-03-02

very proper young person. To-day,
however, ~ she strolled along me
shaded bank of the river with her
small sister Mary, she felt an ire
sistible inclination to do what sne
was well aware her generous allow
ance Of old maid aunts would call de-
cidedly shocking.
I'm going in swimming. Mary. she
announced.
Mary looked at her in wIde-eyed as
tonishment.
But you haven't got any bathing
suit" Mary protested.
shoulders. and looked into her eyes.
Her own were sparkling.
Can you keep secret. Nary" she
asked.
Huh. For a box of candy" that
mercenary young lady insinuated.
"All right. Then listen. You must
never. never tell soul about this. but
I'm going administrations 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, inquisitfve eyes.
from behind the trunk of tree. Then
a slender form slipped to the edge Of
the water, and little heap of cor
duroy and lace was left upon the moss
of the glade. There was white fash
into the amber of the stream. and the
girl came up puffing and shivering.
"Ough! But It's cold!" she chat
tered, and took few quick strokes to
warm herself but the chill Of autumn
w;ls in the water. and very few min
utes convinced her that swimming,
for this season, was no longer 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
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. EdfthI'' 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 1t isn't too cool. I'll come
in too; a rowing suit and bathing
suit are pretty close kim"
He stood up In the shell. and kicked
off 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.
az Bob Perry began to take in his
cars.
''Oh, that's all right, I'll hit a few
strokes, anyway" he said. catching
the overhanging branch Of tree, 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
itonishment.
,hnts kh1 %kA<
he asked; what have. done?
thought you'd be glad to see me, you
know. 1 was coming to call this even
ing"
But 1 didn't want to see you'll
mean, didn't want you to see me
oh, I mean l want you to go 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 a minute
later he had disappeared around the
bend in the stream. The girl climbed
Sastily 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.
1t was 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
WREN he drove up, she. with sud
den fit Of uncomfortable shyness. had
sent word that she was mot at home. :"
The following day marked the clos
ing OF the boat-club season, and there
would be the customary festivities, in
La