The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-03-02

RING.
81 couldn't keep him, you see"-and
mischief twinkled In her eyes as she
sprang to her feet-"but I'll promise
you one thing, NedY-Polly extended
her firm white hand, full of sand, to-
ward the young man-"If ever this
does thrill I'll tell you first 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 stum-
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
half grown lads who were eagerly
watching the race.
you're a dandy, miss" said the
younger boy admiringly as he extend
ed his hand to help her on the 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
angle.
eve had better get back before the
tide turns" said Ned. There's bound
to be big undertow with such 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
ing his thumb at the heavy built lad Of
seen you do the other day." the boy
said, with grin parting his freckles.
'Sure thing" replied Ned obligingly.
Jim was the lobster mans boy.
at pays to stand in with the pow
ers that be-" murmured Polly. '"Think
Of our lunches, Ned and put on your
best form"
Ned had ''corking physique" as
the girl phrased it, and as he left the
springboard, turning his two somer
saults and cleaving the water neatly,
Polly gloried In his muscular strength
and beauty of line as she would in
that of thoroughbred horse.
IT feel the undertow. The tide has
turned" said Ned as he came up
spluttering at the corner Of the raft.
He caught hold of the big iron ring
on the side of the wood to pull him
self up just as a huge wave struck
him fair and square between the shout
ders. AS 1t receded his chin came
down sharply on the ring. In fash
the man disappeared like plummet
Polly gasped when no dark head re-
appeared "Quick, quick!' she cried.
"He is stunned oh. NedP'
One agonized glance at the slender
boy and the lout of fisher lad show
ed her how much help they would be.
'Under the raft-the undertow. Oh,
my Godv 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 pull
I 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 instant's frantic clutching here
and there and then, thank God. she
had the neck of Ned's bathing suit In
her desperate grasp.
She pulled wildly on the rope. swim
ming and Juggling at the same time.
The bows answered her. The heavy
edge of the raft scraped the girl cruel
Iy as they tugged, and she had no
strength to clear it, but she held the
inert form tightly in half uncon-
scious 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 us they lifted
her into the boat Polly collapsed.
Everything was dreamlike after that
until she found herself In bed In her
room at the hotel. She dimly remem-
bered being assured that Ned was all
right, and she smiled family as Broth
er Bob said: "Cheer up. We have got
a heroine in the family at last" Then
she slept the sound sleep of exhaus-
ton until the following afternoon.
BEST thing for her" said the doctor
in answer to her mothers anxious In
quiries. And SO it proved. With the
exception Of a few bruises Polly was
all right when she awoke, and after
meal served in her room she donned
most fetching pale pink gown that
gave a becoming flush to her rather
pale cheeks and sent for Bob.
"You look pretty ct, after all, sis"
said Bob. There IL mischief brewing,