The Mena weekly star., 1907-05-23
-.s.s~ss-yt>~-.sSv vtp~~s~N tsEl 4 SATISFACTORY $
 REASON 1
By EMMETT C. HALL
A.aA-.s--.t1n- Srss-~~f~sl
" sonvrtaht, by Daily story Pub Col

,ras well aware neT 5ohoio"s aiio" srre of old maid aunts would call de cldedly shocking
 ,q,m going in swimming, Mary" she announced.
 Mary looked at her in wide-eyed as- tonishment'
 nBut you haven't got any bathing suitu Mary protested.
 rditb took her small relation by the .honlders. and looked into her eyes. uer own were sparkling.
 ecan you keep a secret, Marry" she asked.
 @unbi For box of candy" that marcenary young lady insinuated.
 aAu right. Then listen. You must royer never tell soul about this, but I'm going swimming without any bathing suit!
 ao--ee, Bet you don't dare," Mary glggled.
 You just watch mel" Edith retort- cd her couraged braced by M.ary's doubt.
 few minutes passed; squirrel neeped with bright, inquisitive eyes, from behind the trunk of tree. Then slender form slipped to the edge of inc water, and little heap of cor duroy and lace was left upon the moss of the glade. There was white flash & into the amber of the stream, and the N girl came up puffing and shivering. # "oughi But it's cold!" she chat & tered and took few quick strokes to # warm herself but the chill of autumn was in the water, and very few min N utes convinced her that swimming, N for this season, was no longer a joy. \ As she turned toward the bank, the \ slight splash of well-handled oars came to her ears, and a moment later 4 shell shot round the bend of tho stream an hundred yards below her. # For a moment she seemed para lyzed. and then remembered that, alter all, she was out of sight so long las 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 ktream was by this time opposite her, Rnd with another thrill of terror she ecognlzed the oarsman. At the same nstant he caught sight of. her head bnd backed water.
 Hello Edith!' he called resting bpon his oars; pretty cold day for kwim, isn't it?"
 No, it's just fine!" she asserted, fndeayoring to keep her teeth from 8hattering
 If you say it isn't too cool, I'll come
 too; a rowing suit and a bathing nlt are pretty close kin"
 He stood up in the shell, and kicked his canvass shoes.
 But Edith, she ain't-" Mary, who las perched upon stump upon the fnk, began explosively, but was pared into sudden silence by the
 snce from her sisters eyes.
 But was just going out" she said,
 Bob Perry began to take in his
 n.
 0h that's all right. I'll hit a few
 Tokes, anyway" he said, catching
 overhanging branch of a tree, with
 intention of securing the shell
 ereto
 But-but l don't want you, I don't
 Rnt you to come in at all--I want
 M to go away!" Edith cried. upon
 verge of tears.
 he paused, and looked at her in as
 hishment
 Why, what's the matter. Edith? %
 asked; what have I done? I
 pasht you'd be glad to see me, you
 E' was coming to call this even
 nu l didn't want to see you--l
 an, didn't want you to see me
 mean 1 want you to go awayl
 e'er want to see you again." the
 Hrl, chilled and miserable, cried
 erly.
 ook Of blank stupifaction and
 crossed his face, and he settled
 self in the shell.
 Fl don't deserve this. Edith" he
 ldby"
 ne souls dipped. and a minute ne had disappeared around the m the stream. The girl climbed ashore, and shiveringly donned 0olhing, The race she set on aOmeward way tried both the tenn.
 anu the legs of her small sister . le utmost.
 : was very miserable existence spent for the next two days. ne second afternoon Bob Perry 0auea' and though she knew he nave seen her in the garden " aroVe up, she. with a sud uncomfortable shyness, had 'oru that she was not at home" sVHoWing day marked the clos sne ooat-club season, and there pc the customary festivities in- luncheon on the lawn. To the \ sunent Of all her friends Edith se'@fed her intention of not at
 ana no persuasion would nel 10 relent. | "allngs of Mary, however, " ule skies What? Miss the | uay in her year? Well. she | uo''" and 1t was finally ar | sAa oist that self-willed young per. uould accompany the Scott. p,a sao had the cottage adjoin- , lo,a n'ishton estate A few min M ',o,e ',s she left she drew Edith