The diamond drill., 1908-04-25

~ ttuErs tNputcA ~ sa"f~ = e'~"~-~@D
full OF gold and silver coins. which he
kept IN his feather bed He was
noted hater OF women and seldom
spoke 10 one.
Jane. or. more properly. Miss Jane
Green. was called an old maid. lived In
tiny house by herself and bad holy
horror OF the biped man. Her age was
: uncertain"
One bright afternoon In September
Jimmy was lounging along the river
bank when the splash Of oars In mid
stream fell upon his ears. He looked
In the direction OF the sound, and then
I a srowl wrinkled his forehead.
"HnmphW he muttered. That old
maid, Jane Green. IS tryln' 20 row over
70 Ned Browns. She'd better be home
drinkin' tea. Most likely she'll manage
70 get drowned. What fuss she
makes. spIashin' an tiappln' about"
He pulled up his line with an angry
Jerk. put fresh worm on the hook
and then cast out the line again with
an outlay OF strength quite unneces-
sary unless 10 give vent 10 bis indigna-
ton.
The "splashin' an fiappin' about" In
stead OF dying away In the distance as
the boat neared the other side OF the
river. grew louder and more disturb
ing, and. half In wonder. half anger.
Jimmy looked around again.
II - h.. ia oh
amt gone an rowed right smack inter
that eddy. the only one within two
miles nj that. III that amt Jest like a
fool woman. I'd Ike 10 know what it's
like"
Just then he heard loud. piercing
scream for help.
"Let her drown. growied the wo-
man hater savagely. 'Therell be one
less woman. Gosh, she VIII so down
as sure as fatel Benz sort OF human
critter, s'pose I'll hev TO pull her out
or the neighbors II lynch me-"
His own boat happened to be near at
hand, and few rapid strokes brought
him as near the eddy as safety per
mitted
"Herer' cried he grumblingiy as he
threw out a rope. "Ketch hold OF
that II you don't want 20 drown"
Miss Jane had been so occupied with
her fears and struggles that UP to this
moment she was unaware that assist
ance had arrived At the sound OF his
voice she turned quickly.
Her hasty movement caused the boat
TO go down. but she chung heroically
10 the oars and regarded her would be
reecuer with a look OF horror.
"Merciful powersl Jimmy Bradford.
OF all men! Lemme drownv'
-Don't be a tarnation fool. Jane
Greenl Ketch hold OF that rope an
I'll pull you out"
Never" cried Jane, squirting out
stream OF water from her mouth and
padding desperately with both hands
to keep afloat.
Then I'll pull you out anyhow"
I calculated Jimmy. IL never knew any
livin' woman had such grit. You're
too plucky for fish bait. an TIL save
You whether or no."
Despite James gurgied, protests he
hurriedly hauled In the rope. formed
slip moose at one end and hurled II over
the half drowned woman's shoulders.
Then he exerted his strength IN a Wig
orous pull, which Jane resisted with all
her waning powers. and succeeded In
lifting her into the boat
"Oh. dearr she gasped. "And TO
think that | should owe my life 10
Jimmy Bradfordv' And then. too much
exhausted to bear up longer. she closed
her eyes and tainted away
Jimmy drew the boat up on the shop
Ing shore and after carrying Miss Jane
TO a sheltered spot beneath a wide
spreading willow tree proceeded 10
restore her 10 consciousness. When
she ope-ed her eyes. the frst thing
that met her gaze was Jimmy's face.
you're too plucky woman TO feed
fishes on. an too good lookin' too" said
Jimmy.
James pale face changed IN n mo-
ment 10 a deep carnation. and her tone
might have indicated either real or
pretended reproach rs she replied:
"Shame on you. Jimmy Bradford.-to
make fun OF a misfortunate and de-
fenseless woman. I'll 60 home this
minute"
Il didn't say more'n ! meant. Jane
Green. nor more'n ia say another time.
| never knew before that women had
SO much gumption. But II you're bound
10 20 I'll give you n boost, for you
couldn't get there alone. Here, take
my arm"
After considerable persuasion Jane
was al last induced 20 take his arm.
and of they walked. most singular
looking couple.
'Now. be careful and see that you
don't take cold after your duckln'."
sald Jimmy as they reached the In
valId's home. You'd better make you
some hot ginger tea at once. An II
you'll agree 70 Il III drop IN tomorrow
an see how you are"
Jane agreed 10 II coyty, and Jimmy