The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-07-31

full of gold and silver coins. which he
kept in his. feather bed. He was a
noted hater of women and seldom
spoke to one.
Jane, or. more properly. Miss Jane
Green, was called an old maid, lived in
a tiny house by herself and had Il 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
a scowl wrinkled his forehead.
y "Humphw he muttered. THAT old
maid, Jane Green. is tryin' to row over
to Ned Browns. She'd better be home
drinkin' tea. Most likely she'll manage
to get drowned. What a fuss she
makes, splashin' an f1appin' about"
He pulled up his line with an angry
jerk, put a fresh worm on the hook
and then cast out the line again with
an outlay of strength quite unneces-
sary unless to give vent to his indigna-
ton.
The "splashin' an nappin' 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.
"Drat the luck!!" he cried. eff she
amt gone an rowed right smack inter
that eddy, the only one within two
miles Mt that. If that amt Jest like a
fool woman. I'd like to know what tits
like"
Just then he heard a loud. piercing
scream for help.
"Let her drown" growled the wo-
a hater savagely. "There'l be one
less woman. Gosh. she will go down
as sure as fate! Bein' a sort of human
c%ritter, ! s'pose I'll hev to pull her out
or the neighbors II lynch me-"
His w boat happened to he near at
hand. and a few rapid strokes brought
him as g the eddy as safety per-
mitted.
"Here! cried he grumblingly as he
threw out a rope. "Ketch hold Of
that II you don't want to drown"
Miss Jane had been 30 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 h%eroically
~ Tho oopo apA ro~>vdo2 nee --o,,la ~
rescuer with a look Of horror.
"Merciful powers: Jimmy Bradford,
Of all men! Lemme drown"
"Don't be a tarnation fool, Jane
Green! Ketch hold Of that rope an
TIL pull you out" i
"Never" cried Jane, squirting out a
stream Of water from her mouth and
padding desperately with both hands
to keep afoat.
"Then I'll pull you out anyhow
calculated Jimmy. II never knew any
livin' woman had such grit. You're
too plucky for fish bait. an TIL save
you whether or no."
Despite James gurgled protests he
hurriedly hauled in the rope, formed a
slip moose at n end and hurled 1t 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.
ooh, dear!" she gasped. "And to
think that l should owe my life to
Jimmy Bradford! And then, too much
exhausted to bear up longer. she closed
her eyes and tainted away.
Jimmy drew the boat up on the slop-
ing shore and after carrying Miss Jane
to a sheltered spot beneath a wide
spreading willow tree proceeded to
restore her to consciousness. When
she opened her eyes. the first thing
that met her gaze was Jimmy's face.
You're too plucky a woman to feed
fishes on. an too good lookin' too" said
Jimmy.
James pale face changed in a mo-
ment to a deep carnation, and her tone
might have indicated either real or
pretended reproach as she replied:
Shame on you. Jimmy Bradford, to
make fun of a misfortunate and de-
fenseless woman. I'll go home this
minute"
II didn't say more'n / meant. Jane
Green. nor more'n I'd say another time.
I w knew before that women had
SO much gumption. But If you're bound
to so I'll give you a boost, for you
couldn't get there alone. Here. take
my arm."
After considerable persuasion Jane
was at last induced to take his arm.
and OF they walked. a most singular
looking couple.
"Now, be careful and see that you
don't take cold after your duckin,"
said 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 to 1t Ill drop In tomorrow
an see how you are"
Jane agreed to it coyly, and JN1my
turned away with new and strange
feelings lingering in his breast.
"Blest If she amt a plucky one." he
said to himself. Il eve see q wo-
man before that had any sense. She'd
make a good wife for a feller that
liked women folks"
But a month later found her the wife
Of q man who did not like women