The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-02-17
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
By MILDRED AUGUSTA THOMPSON.



Ca SOS e0~ssC- SC~<se
The barge with its score of laugh
ing and singing girls dipped over the
curve Of the Hill and disappeared be-
hind the birches Dorothy made no
pretence OF waiting for the last echo
Of their voices, but hurried around
10 the water side of the cottage,
whore a certSin delightful book and
hammock invited TO comfort.
II suppose It was rather rude of
me not 10 go with them this after
noon" she chided herself, as she
dropped down among the cushions in
a hammock. But they'll be happy
all afternoon, and l just had to be
free"
Dorothy tried for a while to read
her attention was oftener turned to
the cliffs below the cottage, or to the
blue surface Of the lake, than occu-
pied with her book And presently
she gave up the effort. Really it
wasn't any use fighting back the tide
of thought.
Why, after a whole year Of stead
fast self-control, should it all come
back to her with such tantalizing Wv
idness? OF course she was right IN
sending back the ring and the letters,
yes, even that unopened one. He
could never be the same to her again
after
Dorothy sprang to her feet and
rushed down TO where her canoe lay
on the little landing. Oh, how per-
fectly eyasperatng to be obliged to
think about something one has re-
solved never to think about!
In five minutes she was skimming
lightly over the water. She padded
with an almost feverish energy. as If
each vigorous stroke contributed
something Of new poise. It might
have been an hour or less &c., she
neither knew nor cared; she realized
only that green islands were between
herself and the scene of her late men,
tai conflict. Then a sudden shadow
ing Of the water and a surprisingly
near rumble of thunder drew her at
tention to the wild clouds scuddlng
up from the southwest. At the same
instant she felt the freshening Of the
breeze and marked how II sent a rip-
pling multitude of little waves shore
ward
Dorothy had not spent half her
summers at Winnipesaukee without
knowing what that meant. TITS home
now, or SWIM she thought, and
turned her canoe about.
In twenty minutes, however, she
was battling with waves that might
have done credit to the Atlantic
good mile from any shore, with gale
forcing her out in spite OF every ef
fort. It was growing dark very fast
The storm was almost upon her; she
could see a wall of gray mist alread,
sweeping down from her own shore
How to save herself she scarcel,
knew. No craft was in sight. AM
though she yodelled courageously sh
knew that sound could reach no on
on the western shore.
Imagine her Joy when the distan
putting of a gasolene launch reache
her ears, and she was able TO max
out the dim outline. Desperately sh
determined to keep ahoat a littl
longer. 1t seemed an age before tn
launch came within hailing distance
A stalwart looking young man wa
aboard, who leaned over the gunwal
and shouted to her TO be ready as h
passed, then as the boat slipped clos
gave one startled glance and erie
out; Dorothy Thank God I cam
in time"
The girl stared in dismay an
shrank from his outstretched hand
"Ralph? Oh, l can't go into yol
boat"
In that instant there was a vivI
fash and the mist closed them 4
Dorothy realized only vaguely Il
torrents of rain that engulfed h,
canoe and the strong arms that pullC
her out of the water and wrapped
heavy coat about her, so rapidly d
It all happen.
1t was an exciting time that fc
bowed, sgent III lodging suakC