The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-02-14


he had already received an answer
and rs he bent his back TO the oars so
also he hput his head to defeat. Al
mos, before they realized Il tAc boat
had reached the head Of the inlet and
had grated gently on the sand.
Lets drift back" proposed Dolly.
1T viii give you a chNnce to rest
Ohedieutly Bray pulled back into the
channel and unshipped the oars Then
he moved forward one seat. and as
they noatcd with the tide he tried to
set Dolly nj her ease with small talk.
SO cngrosSed did they become in their
conversation that they never noticed
that they were drifting into trouble
until with bump the boat settled
against the railroad bridge that span
ned the water. sharp wind was
blowing. and il had forced them out Of
their course.
Bray sprang for an oar to pole back
Into the channel. In his excitement he
was less careful than usual When he
gave a lungc for the oar he felt his
footing shift as the Hat bottomed boat
tipped To one side. The next instant
he felt the shock of cold water.
Dolly gave a shrek as he went over.
board. but the next instant her terror
was turned 10 mrih az the sight Of
Bray sitting in two feet of water with
an expression OF startled wonder on
his face,
Il waS ouly for second that the
tablcau was posed; then Bray scram-
BLEED 10 his feet and climbed back into
the boat His trousers chung wctly to
his legs, and the hedraggled edges OF
his coat dripped against the seat, while
with chatterlng teeth he got out the
oars and began 10 row for the shore
Try as she would Dolly could not re-
strain her mirth ut the sorry spectacle
he presented. and Bray good namredly
joined in her merriment
BUT Il was less OF Joke when the
house was reached The men of the
family had all removed their clothing
10 town when the cottage had been
closed for the summer Bray. down
for the day, had brought no bags. and
there was nothing left but to seek the
shelter Of the blankets while his
clothes underwent the slow process of
drying before the kitchen fire.
between the blankets Bray groaned
mlSeraby as he recalled the incidents
of the morning Whatever chance he
might have had 10 win polly's hand
had been lost when his plight excited
her riaicule. The single misStep bad
cost him Doliy'S Yes, if indeed he
had ever had 4 chance 10 win it. In
his minds eye be could see himself
again. SPRAYING in the icy water. then
climbing aboard in his mudStaiuei.
dripping garments. with Dolly in the
storm seat in as ecstasy Of glee Ii was
hitter hour for Bray. and he well
coined the arrival of the cook with
tray
Miss Dolly, she say eat this and You
kin have nice dessert" advised Aunt
Mandy She say You doan set the
dessert till Won Gated all the dinner"
There was dish Of pudding On the
tray. and, lost in wonder rs 10 what
the other dessert might be, Bray rap
idly cleaned his plate. Then Mandy
entered bearing coveoed dish. Only
sn envelope lay under the cover. and
ECay'S heart heat fast as he read the
few lines
"Yoa dear boy" Dolly wrote My
answer IS Yes think have always
liked yoU hest. but was afraid of
Your very perfection. thought that
could never attSln your high standard.
hut you looSel 50 deliciouSly human in
the water that l knew at that instant
that loved You, As soon IS your
clothes are dry aDd they are drying
f&St yon may come down and receive
: yeridca ion in pSrSo0."