Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-24

the expression OF which continued TO
haunt my waking thoughts.
l watched the child as she ran lightly
up the steps that led TO the pier bcyord
me and disappeared within the boathouse
Tnen turned away from nv portholo
with a feeling that she alone was worth
the trouble OF an introduction To a lone
- pacnelor. destined to at least a month
OF sohtary work In q doubtless uncon-
genial territory, the thought Of feminine
graces and soft feminine voice IL en-.
bodied In only a child is capable OF in
ducing thrill OF pleasure
Her sunny hair and piouant nrof,le re-
minded me OF my cousin Nan: and N
ever maid OF twelve possessed the gift
OF keeping the lives Of those about her
iree from ennui. II was Nan. I laughed
ALOUD with recollection OF some Of the
pranks of that pleasing miscreant, and
the door. which at first withstood my In
sistent pressure. yielded at that instant
with suddenenss that sent the sound OF
NY amusement ringing In the outside air
The first object that caught my atten-
tion as stepped without was the girl
| with the white sunbonnet Doubtless She
had gone through the other boathouse.
| Tor there she sat on the end Of the pier
dangling her feet blissfully above the
frohcsome waters. and again inviting the
waves that broke in a foam against the
dared.
One glimpse l caught Of wildly waving
pink toes and tapering ankles an their
| possessor tried vainly TO cover than
after a startled glance toward me Then
I suppose she tripped on her skirt as
she tried to spring up-there was 4 sharp
cry and the girl fell backward into the
/ water.
In less time than IL takes to write AZ
my coat and waistcoat were of and / was
swimming madly against the waves in
4 the direction OF n white speck that hoh-
bed upon the water. My progress was
SLOW. Tor my clothing was heavy and my
muscles not so firm as they would Le
later In the season. SO 1 shouted to the
girl to grasp a pile and keep her head
above water. There was no answer and
my heart grew heavy with sudden fear
What If l should be too late? thanked
GOD that the tide was coming in. Then
caught the bit of white. II was the
sunbonnet, floating out by its loosened
| strings. and before IL. In the shadow of
the pier. was the girl. clinging to a pile.
! as had instructed
| Put your arm around me-" I cried. A
! threw my own left one about her
| slender waist
| NO., she said.
DO as tell YOU" ! commanded. DO
/ you want TO DROWN
There was hesitation almost too brief
70 De noticeable; then a tiny hand grasp
Il can help myself a little bit. per-
haps. voice said. and had been able
! should have turned to see whether IL
were laughter or tears that brought that
curious little break into the bell-nke
tones.
Don't try" l said. briefly. Simply
hold fast"
A dozen strokes brought US to the
sands. and lifting the child I carried her
up the beach to a spot high and dry and
beyond the possible reach of the water
| There" / exclaimed. as I sat her upon
the sands. Now. IL you will tell me
where to find your home I will see that
you get there safely
Thanks. But I'm not going home just
now. Tm-yes. i am going right back
into the water and have a nice swim. I'm
| all wet anyhow"
What / calculated. do you mean
TO tell me that you jumped into the
water purposely?''
Not exactly that" the girl answered
with averted face. as she began to SCOOP
| out the sand before her. II didn't jump
in. Any one. almost, would know that 4
am not dressed for the water. but have
bathing suit in the boathouse and I can
1 swim"
| Then. in heavens name. why didn't
you say so?"
(To be continued tomorrow)