Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1907-08-22
by Minnie Long

who had told her he loved her. On
the other hand. John Walters was
hilent. rugged and sometimes awk'
ward IN speech and manner. Yet he
was % sincere, 30 earnest, 30 manly.
that Mildred almost imagined that Il
was he she loved best.
The steamer neared the mouth Of
the harbor. and the three stood At the
rail, watching O fisherman In his boat
almost In the direct line Of the big
ships course. As the steamer neared
the boat q daring thought flashed
through Mildred's mind. What II she
were to fall overheard? Who would
be the first 70 spring to her rescuef
Harold Boleau or John Walters? Sup
pose she put them to the test Even
II both failed there was the fisherman
In his boat. and 20 there could be NO
danger. And, Mildred reasoned. Q
wstting would be small price to pay
for Q test upon which all her future
happiness depended. She resolved to
make the test.
Slyly she loosened the long pins
which fastened her hat to her shining
brown hair. Then. with q little ex'
clamation she gave her head q toss
which sent the hat flying from her.
She made Q quick grasp to reach It,
and then with q wild shrek fell over
board. Hardly had she struck the wa
ter than the form Of Harold Boleau
shot like an arrow from the rail and
plunged In beside her. Mildred could
swim, but her skirts sustained her,
and she knew she was In no danger Of
sinking. And II was with sense Of
inward satisfaction that she realized
that at least one Of her lovers had
not hesitated to risk his life for her.
Harold and sprang to her rescue.
while John had remained safely On
deck.
Three hours later on the return trlD
Mildred Unexpectedly found herself
alone with John Walters. and her
face flushed under the stern gaze q
his steel gray eyes.
Doubtless you are ready to set Nc
down as q coward because ! did mot
spring to your rescue" he said, stern.
ly. do you think It was q fair
test?"
Il might have been drowned" Nh.
dred said. coldly.
saThara uaa M ohanna ~ 0~,~
drowning. know you can swim.
Then, besides, there was q fisherman
In his boat, not three feet from where
you fell. Besides, your accident was
too apparent. It was easy to nee
that you fell overheard deliberately
and Intentionally"
"And you were afraid TO jump IN
after me-" Mildred said, as she walked
haughtily away. You were q COW.
ard. Yes. I did fall In Intentionally
I'm glad ! did. for It enabled me to
find q brave man."
The sun went down, and In the twi.
light the little groups OF excursionists
became quieter. Suddenly there was
Q cry. A little crippled girl had fallen
overheard. Mildred and Harold, stand.
Ing near the rail, saw the helpless
form Of the child whirl over and over
in its flight toward the black waters
of the lake. and saw the curly head
sink from sight. Unconsclously NIL.
Idred turned to the man at her side
with Q questioning look In her eyes.
But he remained leaning against the
ran. gazing almost unconcernedly Ut |
the water. With q queer feeling
about her heart Mildred turned away.
At the same instant there was Q
cheer. Some one else had leaped head.
long Into the water and had reached
the drowning child. The steamer
quickly passed from sight. but the en-
gines were reversed. and slowly the
big boat came round to the spot where
the child and rescuer had disappeared. j
Nothing was TO be seen but the rest.
lsas black waters Of the lake. Then
. shout rang out and the ahip's
searchlight soon located the forms IN |
the water. Five minutes latsr ths /
sailors helped john Walters ana hls /
burden TO the deck.
Il was not until one evening q veak
later. In her own home. that Mildred.
with her head on John Walters ahoui.
der and his arm shout her waist, cob
bed out q plea for forgiveness for
aoubting his courage,
Il was foolish. John" she criod.
but now I'm dad. Cor did And out /
which one Of you was the real hsrnst
John kissed away her tears. He
vas % BIG and strong that Mildred
'sstlsd In his arms In happy con-
lsak. .--,f''F
.:-Ana. amer ill. John" ahs .s.ii. |
ookiag up q him with the Iieht 81 |
sss -fhining d her tear moi6t 90
II ep,ng 70 marry 3 brave nan%
~ that WDuli 50. through arel nldl
'1lsf fof ny aake. for n yol ksfn7t
sd that lltils alrI I uonid hn1i n
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