Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-07-19
OH, GIRLS, THIS is
JUST 100 AWFUL
IT'S SHUDDERY, FAINTY, ALMOST
UNTHINkABLE
And 1t Happened to the Cutest, Plump
est, Prettiest Swimmer That Ever
Graced Venice's Beauti.
full Strand

Special to The Herald
VENICE, July 19.-Shuddery, shivery
and even ticklish persons should not read
this. 1t is full Of shudders, shivers and
squirms.
1t was awful! Almost horrid. And, of
course 1t had to happen to the prettiest
and sweetest girl Venice has seen since
well, since there was Venice.
The bravest life saver of all the in
trepid crew performed near rescue this
morning.
1t all came about because some men
boosted what powerful swimmers they
were. Then the girl chimed in. Masie
Shapelegh used to swim at Narragansett
Pier
Everybody smiled. But then everybody
that looks like a man smiles when Masie
speaks
Would she go for a swim tomorrow?
She would, and so would everybody else
This started Monday night. Masie did
not appear on the beach Tuesday, but
all the rest of the Californians did.
They were all fine swimmers-the sort
that swim on the sand.
Masie gave an excellent reason for not
appearing 1t was-"Because."
The men were satisfied because Mase
smiled when she said j. The other girls
shifted. They didn't believe she could
swim or had even been to Maria gansett.
Tuesday night the Californians capered
around the stage like flock of string
halted hippopotami. That's the effect
the sunburn had upon the sand SWIM
mers.
Wednesday Masie handed out another
because" More shifts and more smiles.
This morning at 10 o'clock a chorus of
"Oh's' and "Ah's" accompanied Masie's
appearance. 1t was blue silk or some
thing with white braid made shirred with
gored sides and vatican back, or words
to that effect.
1t wasn't the bathing suit that created
a sensation. There wasn't enough of 1t
for that
All those shifts were paid back with in
terest
A dozen men sprang to meet Miss
Shapeleigh She waved them aside, threw
off her robe and the other Obs and
"Ahs" faded.
Poised, awaiting a big green wave to
roll in. Masie certainly held the spot
light.
With graceful dive the Venus-like girl
plunged through, and as she arose on
the next wave smiling, dimpled face
greeted those on the sand.
Uplifted the pretty arm flashed IN the
sunlight as she started forward with
light overland stroke out seward.
She was as graceful as a mermaid
Each stroke her hand struck the bosom
of old ocean with nattly little spat that
would send a thrill of envy through
New York wharfrat.
Then the Canadian racing stroke was
shown and a dozen dizzy little stunts
hitherto unseen at Venice.
The sand swimmers were entranced.
Then, outside of the fussy breakers
Masie f1oated and displayed pulchritude
as no other position could have done.
1t was dream of delight to beholders.
The mermaid disported herself quar-
ter of an hour, then started ashore
Dear reader, here is good place to
stop. The remainder of this story is sheer
horror.
Just inside the breakers the young
woman gave a shrek that brought the
Venice volunteer life saving crew to it's
feet.
Down the sands tore two dozen men, all
ready to die then and there If need be.
Don't you touch me-" screamed the
girl as she struggled to her feet, look
of horror on her face.
60 away. all Of you" This to thel