The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-01
THE EVENING STORY
When Polly Thrilled.
(By Grace Morton.)


strong, brown PALM
rs there no response in your
neart2 querfed the young fellow,
Tightening. his clasp as he gazed into
the look of a troubled child.
II am afraid not, Ned" answered
the girl reluctantly. Not any more
than there is there She nodded her
fingers. by all accepted rules I
should feel a thrill at your touch If
loved you, and 1 don't-not a bit of
a one"
Ned dropped the hand that did not
thrill promptly and dug holes in
the sand with his bare heel siren
uously as he said with a hige sigh:
You are absolutely f1eartless, 1 do
believe, Polly"
mot So" replied the girl, combing
UP some straying lovelocks and set
Ting her bathing cap at a more be-
'W1tching angle. Il am only young
and well satisfied with this good old
Polly nonchalantly piled the wet sand
in a circle and watched an imprisoned
sand jumpers ineffectual attempts at
escape.
That's just the way you've got
me-, remarked Ned, gloomiIy, as he
gazed at the little creature.
NONSENSE answered Polly, as
with a long, flying leap, the jumper
got away; Il couldn't keep him, you
eyes as she sprang to her feet-"but
III promise you one thing Ned
Poily extended her firm white hand,
fuH of sand, toward the young man
ir ever this does thrill, I'll tell you
hrst of any one; come on and don't be
SO tragic. I'll race you to the raft
once more"
Ned ducked just in time to escape
the sand she aimed at him and STUN
bled after the flying figure in its trim
black suit.
Polly was the best girl swimmer
at the beach, and Ned had his work
cut out for him. They landed at the
raft side by side, to the delight of two
watching the race.
You're a dandy. miss said the
younger boy, admiringly, as he ex-
raft with the freemasonry of bathers
My! but they are fierce today"
painted Polly, grasping Ned's arm to
keep from sliding as an extra big wave
tilted the heavy raft at an alarming
1--WE had better get back before the
tide turns" said Ned. There's bound
to be big undertow with such a sea
on. AS soon as you are rested, Polly,
we had better start. What is it, Jim %
he asked as the boy drew near.
Wish you'd show me friend" jerk
of seventeen, that double-back dive 1
seen you do the other day. the boy
said with grin parting his freckles.
Sure thing" replied Ned obligingly.
Jim was the lobsterman's boy
''It pays to stand in with the powers
that be-, murmured Polly. Think of
our lunches, Ned, and put on your best
FORM
Ned had a "corking physique, as
the. girl praised it. and as he left the
springboard, turning his two somer-
saults and cleaving the water neatly.
Polly gloried in his muscular strength
Of ina oh II ~,
of thoroughbred horse.
Il feel the undertow. The tide has
turned" said Ned, as he came up
spluttering. at the corner of the raft
the side of the wood, to pull himself
up, just as a huge wave struck him fair
and square between the shoulders. As
it receded his chin came down sharply
on the ring. In flash the man dis
appeared like plummet.
Polly gasped when no dark head re-
appeared APP Quick; Quick" she cried.
One agonized glance at the slender
boy and the lout of fisher lad showed
her how much help they would be.
Oh. my God!" screamed the frantic
girl. A band of ice seemed to be
around her brow: then suddenly, her
wits were clear once more. Grabbing
up the heavy safety rope, she tied it
around her waist.
Take it," she commanded the boys
sharply, land pull quick when I pull.
l am going under the raft after
him.
She slid down in the green depths:
a few strokes to the left. and she was
in the blank darkness under the raft.
An instants frantic clutching here
and there-and then. thank God!
she had the neck of Neds bathing
suit in her desperate grasp.
She pulled wildly on the rope,
swimming and Juggling at the same
time. The boys answered her; the
heavy edge of the raft scraDed the
girl cruelty as they tugged; and she
had no strength to clear it, but she
held the inert form tightly in a half
unconscious grip.
Out at last! Oh that blessed first
gulp of air! Jim's cries had brought
the life squad and willing hands
eased her of her burden, and as they
lifted her into the boat Polly col
lapsed.
Everything was dreamlike after |
that, until she found herself in bed in |
remembered being assured that Ned |
was all right, and she smiled family |
as Brother Bob said. "Cheer up, we
have got a heroine in the family at
last Then she slept the sound sleep |
of exhaustion until the following af-
ternoon.
"Rest thing for her." said the doc
tor in answer to her mothers anxious !
Anu 81 II pIONeQ- WIFI
the exception of a few bruises, Polly |
was all right when she awoke, and af- |
ter a meal served in her room she |
donned a most fetching pale pink
gown, that gave a becoming flush to
her rather pale cheeks and sent for
Bob.
"You look pretty fit, after all, Sis"
said Bob. There is mischief brew |
ing, I can tell by the CLINT in your
eye
Nonsense replied Polly do |
for me, there's a good boy. |
1 want to see Ned and can't stand it |
to face all those people tonight. You
might mention that I am going UP to |
Pine Cliff after dinner. but for good |