The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1907-07-31
ALMOST 4
COWARD
by Minnie Long

The man wed must be brave
man. ! would not marry a coward. I
want a man who would 60 through
fire and water for my sake"
The big white steamer was forcing
its way swiftly through the waters Of
the lake on its way to South Haven.
A gay throng Of excursionists was on
board. Young men and maidens were
laughing and singing, children were
playing, and band of music was do
Ing its best to make itself heard above
the din Of the merrymaking.
Mildred and her two admirers were
seated In sheltered nook on the up
per deck when she made the remark
that she would marry none but hero.
Both men loved her-or at least one
had told her SO, and she could read
the other mans secret in his eyes
But she could not decide between
them. Harold Boleau was handsome,
graceful talker, good dresser, a
man of the world He was the one
who had told her he loved her. On
the other hand. John Walters was
silent, rugged and sometimes awk'
ward in speech and manner. Yet he
was so sincere, so earnest, SO manly,
that Mildred almost imagined that 1t
was he she loved best.
the harbor, and the three stood at the
rail, watching fisherman In his boat
almost in the direct line of the big
ships course. AS the steamer neared
the boat daring thought flashed
through Mildred's mind. What II she
we're to fall overheard? Who would
be the first to spring to her rescue?
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 SO there could be no
danger. And, Mildred reasoned, q
wetting would be small price to pay
for a 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 a little ex-
clamation she gave her head toss
which sent the hat flying from her.
She made quick grasp to reach 1t,
and then with a 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 1t 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 or
| deck.
Three hours later on the return triI
Mildred Unexpectedly found herself
alone with John Walters, and hel
face flushed under the stern gaze O
his steel gray eyes.
Doubtless you are ready to set mi
down as a coward because did no
spring to your rescue" he said, stern
ly. do you think 1t was fai
test?"
Il might have been drowned" Nil
bred said, coldly.
There was no chance Of you
drowning. know you can swim
Then, besides, there was fish ial
in his boat, not three feet from wher
you fell. Besides, your accident wa
too apparent. 1t was easy to Sc
, Col ri q
and Intentionally"
"And you were afraid to jump 4
after me-" Mildred said. as she Wake
haughtily away. You were a COW
ard. Yes, l did fall in Intentional
I'm glad l did, for 1t enabled me t
find a brave man."
The sun went down, and in the tw
light the little groups Of excursionist
became quieter. Suddenly there wa
a cry. A little crippled girl had file
overheard. Mildred and Harold, stan'
ing near the rail, saw the helples
form of the child whirl over and owe
in its fight toward the black water
of the lake, and saw the curly hea
sink from sight. Unconsciously MI
dred turned to the man at her sid
with a questioning look In her eye
But he remained leaning against tn
rail, gazing almost unconcernedly
the water. With queer feelir
about her heart Mildred tIrned ava
At the same instant there was
cheer. Some one else had leaped hea
long into the water and had reacht
the drowning child. The steam'
quickly passed from slgi but the e
gines were reversed, and slowly Il
big boat came round to the spot whe
the child and rescuer had disappeare
Nothing was to be seen but the res
less black waters of the lake. The
shout rang out and the shiI
searGhlight soon located the forms
the water. Five minutes later Il
sailors helped John Walters and b
burden to the deck.
It was not until one evening we,
later, in her own home, that Mildre
with her head on John Walters shov
der and his arm about her waist, sc
bed out a plea for forgiveness I
doubling his courage.
"I was foolish. John" she erie