The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-02
and went downstairs. His host and
hostess were awaiting him at the

and went downstairs. His host and
hostess We're awaiting him at the
breakfast table. and to his somewhat
irritable questions they explained that
the place next door harbored a fresh
air brood frem the city; that they
really did very little damage and We're
allowed to climb the apple trees at will.
Breakfast WAS a rather gloomy affair.
CROSBY ate liegle. but did a great deal
of Thinking. When it was over he went
to his room and consulted the time
table be had brought from the station.
The first train either way left at l in
the afternoon. In the apple trees below
the fresh air infants were holding high
II noisy carnival.
With a grunt of disgust, Crosby rose
and went downstairs. In the kitchen
he informed his host that for unlock
cd for reasons he could not stay; that
he would leave on the ] o'clock train.
Then, there being nothing else to do to
kill time. he went out. for a walk. talk
ing the path that led to the little lake.
He had nearly reached the water
when a great commotion sounded just
ahead-screams, bowls of terror and
sobs. He broke into a run and, round
ing a turn In the path. saw the cause
OF 1T all. In the water a small red head
bobbed up and down beside an over
turned boat. while a group Of children
close to the edge of the lake made the
morning hideous with demonstrations
OF their grief and terror.
Crosby was a good swimmer. In a
second his coat and shoes were off and
he was swimming With sure, strong
strokes toward the red head. In anoth-
er few minutes he had the boy ashore,
apparently but little the worse for his
mishap.
AS they reached the shore some one
came running along the path and
caught the dripping child from his
arms. Crosby looked up to find a very
pretty and very anxious faced young
woman beside him.
oh, how can ever thank you?' she
cried impulsively. "The children are
not allowed to com here. I never once
thought of their d%isobeying us. If YOU
hadn't beer here"-
1T is really nothing, | assure you"
said Crosby with as much dignity as
his dripping clothes and his d~isheveled
hair permitted.
Il must get him back to the house at
once" she said.
"If You'll permit me to carry him."
Crosby suggested. taking the boy from
her arms. Don't worry. He's really
more frightened than hurt,
They walked back the path together.
Crosby quite oblivious to his drenched
clothing and the moist. chatteripg
group of children that trailed them.
He was aware only of the glowing
cheeks of the girl beside him, of the
pretty potse of her head. of the fine
lines of her strong young figure and
the softness of her voice.
81 wish l might call at the-the home
here said Crosby as he left her at
the gate.
"I-that is, we-would be delighted
If you would" she replied.
Crosby went homeward with his
head in the clouds. In the back Yard
he encountered his host, groomily whit
ting a stick by the chopping block.
Say" be called as Crosby came up.
me an Marthy's beer talkin' it over
about your %leavin', YOU know. We
come 20 the conclusion that maybe it's
them fresh air young uns that botlhers
you. If that's it I'll see they don't
come nlgher'n the fence"
Don't do anything of the sort" said
Crosby. with tinality. Annoy me?
Not at all. Indeed. l find them inter
esting-most interesting. And. by the
way, Mr.. Dean, I'm not going. | shall
stay all summer-as long as the fresh
air youngsters stay. in fact
1t was early In September that the
eminent physician sat in his big. dim
office smiling over a letter he was read
ing.
"The neurosis Americana has CON-
pletely Disappeared" one portion of 1T
ran, but it was not quiet that did the
trick. Indeed. | should lay the cure to
noise and excitement"
The eminent physician frowned.
Il am sailing the 24th.'' the letter
went or. "on the Colonia on a little
trip to Sorrento and Sicily. In strict
est confidence I will add that the trip
is of the wedding Variety"
"Ah!" said the physician. with a soft
chuckle of comprehension.