The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-10-01

I
ward Overhead the hot sun blazed
down upon him, throbbing with fierce
heat, and the little weight round his
neck minute by minute grew heavy
as lead. Slowly his head fell-lower
lower, till the briny water washed
against his half-closed lips. Its salt
sting brought him back with a quick
shock from the dreamland whose bor-
der is death, into which he was fast
slipping. With a quick. spasmodic
effort, he raised himself out of the
water and glanced shoreward. How
far off it still seemedl Could he
make twas 1T worth while making
| it, after all? But if he failed-cow-
ardly failed-how could he meet her
there
us vevy sleepy" 1 tired little
whisper reached his ear. Us it vewy
far now?"
BY an odd freak of memory there
suddenly came back to him Baby
Barron's quaint. Il did want to be
fls', and he caught himself almost
smiling at the recollection-a fish,
Wen soon be there. little one"
y.
the water with long, fierce strokes.
Just think you are a fish, Baby Bar
ron, that I'm taking home"
Long minutes later, when lights
were dancing before his eyes and the
water was again tapping at his
mouth, it seemed to him the confused
sound Of a cheer was borne across the
water; shadow daTkened it's sur
face, and the next instant strong Ter
sey clad arms reached over the gun
vale of the outcoming boat and drew
him and Baby Barron over it's side.
Save her-out there" He waved
an arm feebly with a last effort as A
mist gathered over his eyes. And
far off, it seemed TO him. came the
instant reply: Wen get her, sir, "a
right; dinna We fear" as he slipped
down toward the valley of shadows.
"Ay. that's a man noo," said the
helmsman of the boat, with an ex-
| pressive gesture. give way, lads,
wi a Will; we'll bae the young lady
in 4 twinklin'. Dave Duguid's cob
ble's pretty far through wi it."
One sunlit afternoon. just three
weeks later, Jack Ethan sat on a
low chair by the window of his room
that looked out on the clear waters of
the Firth. and at his feet Leslie May
nard reciined. They talked as lovers
talk, from heart TO heart. There
came n low, discreet knock at the
door Of the room
oh, miss, there's a queer little
girl wanting to see you, and Mr.. Elt-
ham-leastwise / think it must be
YOU" the trim maid servant who en-
tered announced with a dubious air.
adding Immediately, and she won't
so away. neither"
"Oh, it must be Baby Barron,
Jack" was Leslie Maynard's instant
response, PLEASE bring her up at
once"
a moment or two later Baby Bar
ron, in sea shrunken frock, her
cheeks flushed and eyes shining, ap-
peared at the doorway. clutching fast
In her hands a giant sunflower. all
wilted and dropping.
ITS for YOU - bof of you - to
make you WE'LL" she cried, present.
ing the huge yellow flower. Il wait.
| ed an waited-hours an hours-to
give it to you, an you never coined. 3"
Impulsively Leslie Maynard caught
up TO her breast the forlorn little
| figure, flower and all. and covered the
/ Quivering lips with kisses.
oh, you poor Baby Barron, it was
selfish of me to forget you" she said
with little catch in her breath. 1T
is good of you to bring us such
! lovely fiower!"
Isn't it just!" Jack Ethan chimec
/ in quickly. And it reminds me thai
there'll be a little bridesmaid wanted
at wedding soon. How would YOU
like to be a bridesmaid, Baby Bar
ron? That's something better, now.
than being a fish. "
The large blue eyes turned to him
with gravely meditative look. She
was silent for some moments, pom.
/ dering evidently over the meaning OF
/ the word
4 fink s'ould like it," she said at
/ length, a world of meaning In the
deep, heavenly eyes. AN I loves
. You-always-I loves you bot.
! PPODleSS Eriend